Fishing derby a big draw
JEFFERSON TWP — The Saxony Farm Estate showed a clear sign Saturday that Spring has sprung: nearly a thousand people fishing down at the pond throughout the day.
Concordia Lutheran Ministries hosted its annual fishing derby Saturday, May 17, at the property located on Addy Boy Lane in Jefferson Township. The fishing derby was meant for children 14 and under, though the pond area was filled with families of all sizes.
The event, lasting from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., was busy the entire time. 36 volunteers spread across 10 stations around the pond helped the hundreds fishers there at any given time
“It’s something we enjoy doing every year. It’s completely volunteer run, so that’s something that’s unique to it, everybody is volunteering their time,” Kristin Michael, one of the event organizers, said.
In addition to free hot dogs and drinks, the organizers awarded prizes every half hour to the children for both the largest and the smallest fish caught. Concordia provided bait and fishing poles for those who needed,
This is the tenth year Concordia has held the event. Michael said the popularity of the event largely depends on the weather. Luckily this year, despite strong wind, it was sunny and the temperature was in the low 70s for most of the event.
“It’s a great time, it’s Spring, families are getting together, they can come here for free and try fishing. The kids here seem to really love it,” volunteer Phil Ricci said. “We’ll give them worms and fishing rods if they need them. They enjoy it a lot, normally by 10:30 you can barely find a spot around the pond.”
Concordia, which owns the Saxony Farm Estate land, has restocked the pond with fish. Various fish, such as blue gill, trout and bass, can be found in it.
“When the kids catch the fish, they get super excited, and the parents get super excited for them. Whenever they’re catching the fish it’s super fun for them,” Beth Wichrowski, another event organizer, said.
According to the Pennsylvania state website, the best season for fishing can vary, depending on what kind of fish you’re trying to catch, and what type of body of water you’re also looking to fish at. But while people were getting excited about what they could reel in, the event was mainly about the community having fun.
“It’s really just one of our ways of trying to be in the community and for the community,” Michael said. “It takes a lot to put it together but it’s something we always love to do.”
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Bob Holbein hands a fishing rod to Beau Holbein, 5, during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Bob Holbein hands a fishing rod to Beau Holbein, 5, during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Aurora Flanders catches a bass in the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Aurora Flanders fishes in the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Micah Kelly, 4, reels in a catch during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Aurora Flanders catches a bass in the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Aurora Flanders fishes in the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Beau Holbein, 5, watches his bobber during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Adam Kelly helps Micah Kelly, 4, reel in a catch during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Adam Kelly helps Micah Kelly, 4, reel in a catch during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Bob Holbein shows off Beau Holbein's, 5, catch of the day during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Adam Kelly helps Micah Kelly, 4, reel in a catch during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Micah Kelly, 4, shows off his catch of the day alongside Adam Kelly during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Adam Kelly helps Micah Kelly, 4, reel in a catch during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Adam Kelly helps Micah Kelly, 4, reel in a catch during the Fishing Derby at Saxony Farm Estate hosted by Concordia on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
