Photo courtesy of Lakes McClure and McSwain Parks and Recreation

October 7, 2021 - The Lake McSwain Fall Trout Derby brought pleasant weather, good memories – and for a few it brought in some serious cash.

“I think one way or another, everyone who came up to the Derby won,” said Brooke Gutierrez, Director of MID Parks and Recreation. “Whether you received a top prize or not, you had a good time up here if you participated.”

Gutierrez added that anglers are already signing up for the next derby to be held in spring of 2022.

In total nearly 240 anglers participated in the derby. It began Saturday morning and concluded Sunday evening. The entry fee was $25 per adult. Kids under 16 fished free with adult entry.

The winners of the derby were as follows:

Largest Trout for $2,000:
Johnny Estrada Jr – 21.75 inch fish

Stringer of Three Longest Fish for $2000:
Ndzeu Heu – 55.25 inches total of fish

Wild Card for $500 (One adult randomly selected from all participants)
Brad Murphy – 14.75 inch fish

Wild Card Kids Fishing Pole and Tackle Box (One winner under age 16 randomly selected). Sponsored by Splash N Dash/Reel Deal Café and Market 
Briar Mayfield – 12.25 inch fish

The McSwain Derby was again supported by the smart phone app Fish Donkey, which has become popular among anglers in recent years.

“Everyone had a good time and most of the anglers we talked to were already discussing the trout derby for spring 2022,” said Gutierrez.
Source: MID