Annual Youth Fishing Derby
at Walnut Pond
The Annual Youth Fishing Derby typically held in early summer each year, follows spawning season. Children ages two through fifteen spend a morning of fishing at the catch and release, Walnut Pond, in Pine Valley Park. The younger group of children fish first thing in the morning, followed by the older children. The anglers vie for the prize of First Fish, Last Fish, Most Fish, Lunker and Smallest Fish, with at least one Honorable Mention awarded each year. The Town of Manchester, the Manchester Parks Foundation, Mickey and Elsie McCleary, and Paul G. and Jane Hays sponsor this event.
Doug Geise, proprietor of Old Reisterstown Bait & Tackle, for many years, generously donated the derby bait and prizes. Since 2010, Paul G. and Jane Hays and Mickey and Elsie McCleary have generously donated the prize awards and the night crawlers. Prior category award winners have received such prizes as tackle boxes, fishing gear or rods.
For more information about this event, please check our online calendar early each spring.
