A SusanvilleStuff Photofeature
by Marshel and Jeremy Couso
More than 300 young anglers gathered along the banks of the Susan River and Paiute Creek on Saturday, May 16th, for a beloved community tradition: the 37th annual Junior Fishing Derby. Hosted by the Lassen Sportsman’s Club, this year’s event drew a massive turnout of eager kids and families for a memorable morning of outdoor fun and friendly competition.
According to the Lassen Sportsmen’s Club, a total of 327 participants registered for the derby. The tournament saw an impressive turnout across all generations of young fishers, with 105 participants in the 2 to 5 age group and 222 participants in the 6 to 15 age group.
From heavy catches to impressive lengths, the competition was fierce across all divisions. The Lassen Sportsman’s Club has released the official results for the top three placements in each category, along with special sportsmanship awards and custom rod prizes.
Here are the official results from the event:
GIRLS DIVISIONS
Ages 2 to 5
- 1st Place: Payton Bresnahan – 4 lb. 1 oz., measuring 21 ½ inches
- 2nd Place: Ellenora Willmes – 3 lb. 11 oz., measuring 20 inches
- 3rd Place: Mallory Barney – 3 lb. 7 oz., measuring 20 ½ inches
Ages 6 to 15
- 1st Place: Emi Chandler – 3 lb. 15 oz., measuring 20 ½ inches
- 2nd Place: Harley Wood – 3 lb. 14 oz., measuring 20 ¼ inches
- 3rd Place: Rylee Rodríguez – 3 lb. 10 oz., measuring 20 inches
BOYS DIVISIONS
Ages 2 to 5
- 1st Place: Colter Espinoza – 4 lb. 12 oz., measuring 20 inches
- 2nd Place: Arlow Logan – 4 lb. 1 oz., measuring 21 ½ inches
- 3rd Place: Carter Dixon – 3 lb. 9 oz., measuring 20 inches
Ages 6 to 15
- 1st Place: Colt Raymond – 5 lb. 4 oz., measuring 22 ¾ inches
- 2nd Place: Conway Otterson – 4 lb. 4 oz., measuring 20 ¾ inches
- 3rd Place: Alec Schultze – 4 lb. 2 oz., measuring 21 ½ inches
Special Recognition and Sportsmanship Awards
Character and integrity on the river are core pillars of the derby, and several standout participants were recognized for their outstanding attitude:
- Sportsmanship Award: Shawn Alexander
- Sportsmanship Award: Parker Barney
- Bill Kauffman Sportsmanship Award: Sawyer Crosby
Biggest Fish Winners
Two participants took home coveted Custom Rods for reeling in the largest catches of the day:
Biggest Fish Overall: Colt Raymond, with his impressive 5 lb. 4 oz. trout measuring 22 ¾ inches.
15-Year-Old Biggest Fish: Conway Otterson, with an excellent 4 lb. 4 oz. catch measuring 20 ¾ inches.
