'Perfect' Day for Fishing Derby

Sunny weather and a stocked pond at on made for a "perfect" day for Bernards Township's annual fishing derby, attended Saturday morning by about 150 to 200 anglers of all ages.

Participants in one of the town's most popular local traditions had to bring their own poles and bait before casting into the pond. The derby was held to see who could catch the biggest fish, with Sean O'Grady, assistant director of the township parks and recreation department, and recreation coordinator Heather Re measuring out contestants on a yardstick.

As of shortly after 10 a.m., the biggest fish caught was an 18-inch trout, O'Grady said.

The township stocked the pond ahead of time with trout. But there were a few catfish thrown into the mix, too.

Mike DiDonato of Basking Ridge recalled that one year the pond may have been stocked with catfish for the event. Or the catfish may have come in from the Great Swamp, he suggested. Either way, one lucky contestant had managed to snag a 16-inch catfish midway through the derby.

O'Grady said he doesn't know what people will do with the fish they've caught.

The crowd along the banks of the pond included toddlers and high school sophomore Ben Abbate and friends Kyle Harcourt, Eric Dour, Christian Pranzo, and Alan Marks. Ben said he had been fishing at the derby "since the day I was born."

"If you love something and you want to do it, go out and do it," he said, having already caught a seven and a half inch trout that put him first in his age category.

On the other hand, Garrett Senior, 5, and his brother Daniel, 3, were at the derby for the first time to enjoy a great father-son activity with their dad, Steve Senior, of Bernardsville. Steve Senior said the day was "perfect" for the boys to try catching fish.

Prizes, including movie tickets, gift cards and more, were handed out to girls and boys in several age categories, starting for those under 5 and up to those age 12-plus.