ST. GEORGE — Over 100 people gathered Tuesday to cast their lines as part of the eighth annual Southern Utah Special Needs Kids’ Fishing Derby.

The event held at Sullivan Park in Washington City was sponsored and organized by the Southern Utah Anglers in partnership with the cities of St. George and Washington City, as well as a host of corporate sponsors.

Event organizers called it a resounding success. The fishing derby offered children with special needs and family members across Washington County a day out at the lake learning how to fish.

Randy Cronk, president of the Southern Utah Anglers, told St. George News that this event was inspired by the annual kids’ fishing derby, a 30-year tradition held the Saturday before. 

“The Fish Club secretary Dave Black and his wife came up with the idea,” Cronk said. “She thought, ‘Since they stocked the ponds for the fish derby on Saturday, how about we bring some kids on Monday?’”

Since then, the Southern Utah Special Needs Kids’ Fishing Derby has continued to grow. In the first year, six kids participated. This year, there were over 100. Children could catch and release or take the fish home.

Cronk said schools come from all over the region to participate in this event. Some even come from places as far away as Panguitch.

Southern Utah Anglers provided fishing rods, bait and a helping hand to all who needed it. 

One of the helpers caught a whiff of the bait and, through clenched teeth, reviewed the fish food.

“Smells like leftovers,” he joked.

The derby not only focused on fishing but also included refreshments, with contributions from Cisco for hotdogs and snacks. Foodwise, Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife, CalRanch, Bucks Ace Hardware, and Dominion Energy, among others, further supported the event.

Choosing this location was a no-brainer for Southern Utah Anglers member and Santa Clara Mayor Rick Rosenberg.

“This is a perfect facility because we needed something that you can run buses through,” he said. “There are about six urban fisheries in St. George and Washington County; this is about the only one that can accommodate buses.”

Volunteers from Dominion Energy, game wardens, and the contribution of fish by the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources were crucial to the derby’s success.

One of the helpers was Caroline Sadler, a life skills coordinator. She praised the event for its inclusivity.

“It doesn’t matter what your abilities are; you can still have a good time,” she said.

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