RANGELY | The Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District in cooperation with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to present the 2022 Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District Fishing Derby. The goal of the event is to promote, educate and showcase available water related outdoor recreation and ecological learning relevant to western Rio Blanco County in conjunction with the Colorado free fishing weekend of June 4-5.
June 4 and 5 was free fishing weekend in Colorado, and anglers on both ends of Rio Blanco County took advantage of the opportunity. In Rangely, the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District hosted their annual fishing derby. Above, Gone-Fishing team members Manny Rodriguez & Andree Tinajero, measured a few of their crappie. More photos and results below | COURTESY PHOTO
The 30-year plus RBWCD Fishing Derby has successfully concluded with families, friends and individuals spending Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5 together with anglers and outdoor enthusiasts ready for the “big-catch” or strategizing a plan for the always competitive “shortest fish.” Progressing the events goals we shared friendly interaction learning about water based outdoor recreation, angling, and the fishes we share in our Lower White River basin. Let’s not forget reaffirming rivalries that have been established among returning derby champions and those who came up just a little bit short in the end.
Saturday was the kick-off with 75 entries in the youth derby from 15 years of age on down. The eagerness of these young people was obvious as they were greeted by event volunteers with a bag of goodies containing fishing tackle and fishing poles brought in by CPW biologist Terry Wygant. The three age categories this year included: longest fish, longest crappie, longest catfish, and the coveted shortest fish that came in at a whopping 3-5/8 inch long green sunfish.
Saturday also kicked off the two-day derby with 101 individuals and big adult kids comprising 31 teams of one to four people. This part of the derby has no age restrictions with five categories of competition: carp – heaviest stringer, crappie – heaviest stringer, catfish – heaviest stringer, overall derby longest fish, and most smallmouth bass. Not to be outdone by previous years, teams brought in a combined two-day total weight of 565.36 pounds of fish to the final check-in.
This year we also received assistance from the Rangely Jr/Sr High School with the creation of the event posters used for advertising. RJSHS junior Isabelle Gillert’s poster was selected this year and we proudly salute her work and all those who provided their posters.
The RWBCD extends its gratitude and appreciation to all who attended and the continued generosity to our community sponsors who help make this event possible. Thanks to RBWCD Fishing Derby Volunteers, Matt Casto, David Carlson, Brandi Lambros, Michelle Vanden Brink, Alden Vanden Brink, Tim Winkler, and Cash Leischer.
June 4 and 5 was free fishing weekend in Colorado. Anglers on both ends of Rio Blanco County took the opportunity to reel in some catches. In Rangely, the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District hosted their annual fishing derby. Above, Gone-Fishing team members Manny Rodriguez and Andree Tinajero, measured a few of their crappie. | COURTESY PHOTO
Earl Sherman, one of the biggest fishing derby kids, taking a break.
Whisker Whisperers team members Miranda Casto, AJ Averbach, Krystal Tucker, & Brandon Martinez plus a couple of on lookers checking out their 173 pound 2-day catch.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Award Winners:
Ages 6 yrs and under
Longest Crappie–Lizlee Scheller
Shortest Fish–Amari Rayburn
Longest Catfish–Cora Arnett
Longest Fish–Noa Thomason
Age 7 to 10 yrs
Longest Crappie–Hailey Armstrong
Shortest Fish–DawnLynn Smuts
Longest Catfish–Korbin Gibson
Longest Fish–Cole Odom
Age 11 to 15 yrs
Longest Crappie–Hannah Geer
Shortest Fish–Kenneth Henson
Longest Catfish–Cash Leischer
Longest Fish–Dominic Rodriguez
Most Smallmouth Bass
1st Place–Cole Odom
Longest Fish
(Overall Derby)
1st Place–FAM-OLY, Team Members: Taylor Doyle, Sylvia Gibson, Jim Sullivan and Dani Sullivan
Heaviest Carp Stringer
1st Place–Whisker Whisperers, Team Members: Miranda Casto, AJ Averbach, Krystal Tucker and Brandon Martinez
2nd Place–Lead Heads, Team Members: Tristan Moore, Braxton Moore, Dixie Hall, Austin Davis
Heaviest Crappie Stringer
1st Place–Shermanabbotanators, Team Members: Joe Sherman, Shelby Carson, Nathan Sherman and Jarod Abbot
2nd Place–Gone-Fishing, Team Members: Manny Rodriguez, Andees Tinajero and Steve Rodriguez
Heaviest Catfish Stringer
1st Place–FAM-OLY, Team Members: Taylor Doyle, Sylvia Gibson, Jim Sullivan and Dani Sullivan
2nd Place–Reel Life, Team Members: Jake Fromang, Roxie Fromang, Alex Fromang and Roger Rowley
Special to the Herald Times
