To hear Brian Cunningham tell it, there is nothing better than fishing. As the president of the Donegal Fish and Conservation Association (DFCA), he not only gets to participate in the activity he loves, but he also gets to encourage the next generation to embrace the sport. The DFCA will host its annual Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, April 9, from 8 to 11 a.m. The event will be held at the reflecting pool on the grounds of Donegal Presbyterian Church, 1891 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, and is open to children age 11 and under. Also welcome will be all handicapped anglers who possess a current Pennsylvania fishing license. The church will host a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall, and it will be open to derby participants and the public.
"The derby is an opportunity to get kids and families outside and interested in fishing," Cunningham stated, adding that the event also serves to teach participants about trout management and introduce families to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Derby participants should bring their own equipment and clean their own fish. "We encourage the families to take what they catch up to a five-fish limit," Cunningham said.
The DFCA will stock hundreds of brook, rainbow, golden and brown trout for participants to catch and take home, including three large golden trout for prizes, Cunningham stated. Winners will receive a new fishing pole and accessories, donated by Precision Fly and Tackle in Lancaster.
Cunningham noted that the DFCA has been holding the derby in this location for about 20 years. "This is a great opportunity to teach young children about fishing, teach them how to catch the fish, hold the fish and respect the sport," he remarked. "Parents and guardians can take the fish home and show the children how to clean, prepare and make a meal out of the fish. Fishing is a lifelong sport where you can go anywhere in the world and share this experience and joy with fellow fishermen."
The DFCA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring the Donegal watershed to its original state. In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the DFCA has raised more than 4,000 trout annually since 1964 for stocking in the Donegal Creek.
Cunningham hopes people will come out to the derby to participate in a sport that's among his favorites. "For me and a large amount of our members, getting outside along a stream and the challenge of catching some of the most beautiful species of fish in PA (is what I love)," he said. "The thrill of the hook set and landing a stream-bred brook trout is the top of the list."
For more information on the fishing derby, contact Cunningham at 717-413-7454. For more information on the DFCA, visit https://donegalcreek.org or search for "Donegal Fish & Conservation Association" on Facebook. All participants must register with the DFCA on the day of the event. Parking will be permitted only in the Donegal Presbyterian Church parking area. No street parking will be allowed. There will be no rain date for the event.
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