Summer fun for Wayne County Young Anglers starts June 11

What better way to partake in an outdoor activity than fishing? According to a US Fish and Wildlife survey in 2011, there were approximately 60 million anglers in the U.S. of which 46 million are estimated to fish in a given year. Those numbers were for ages 16 and up…so just imagine if we add the youngsters to that equation. That just might be more humans then the folks that watch the birds, one of the largest groups for any outdoor recreation.The Wayne County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs along with the Wayne County Office of Tourism intends to keep the great tradition of fishing alive and well with their annual Wayne County Youth Derby starting June 11. The Youth Derby will be celebrating its 19th year of giving youngsters the opportunity to enjoy angling while offering a little competition. Starting the second week in June and ending on July 24, 2016 this year’s event has a different twist for young anglers fishing Wayne County waters.“After talking to weigh stations, parents and young anglers we will continue our new division started in 2015,” stated Carolyn Rambo, a member of the Wayne County Derby Committee. “Many young anglers catch their first fish from the shore or casting off a dock. Usually it’s a bluegill, perch, sunfish or rock bass that grabs the worm and the attention of the first time angler. With that in mind the Wayne County Derby Committee will continue the successful Al Shultz Youth Memorial Challenge.”To be eligible for prizes in the Al Shultz Youth Memorial Challenge, youths must be between the ages of 4-7 at the time of registration. Angler must catch one of each of the five species: Blue Gill, Perch, Rock Bass, Sun Fish and Smallmouth Bass or Largemouth Bass. All fish must be caught between June 11 through July 24 2016. NOTE: Perch must be a minimum weight of 6 ozs. Winners will be determined by catching 5 eligible fish. The order on the official leaderboard will be in date order based on when all five species are caught. Each fish will be recorded according to date and time recorded on the weigh form.Blue gill, rock bass and sun fish do not need to be weighed but must be taken to weigh station to be entered into contest.“The Challenge Division remains the same,” Rambo said. It has the same criteria, although the five fish to qualify are warm water species; pike, perch, walleye, small and largemouth bass. Species is the third division. The largest fish in any division is a winner.Applications for the Wayne County Youth Derby are available at all bait and tackle shops in Wayne County or by calling the tourism office at 1-800-527-6510. All information is also on the web page at waynecountytourism.com