Fishing derby hooks 23 children

Twenty-three young anglers were treated to sunny skies and calm waves during last Sunday’s 9th Annual International Children’s Fishing Derby held off the waters of Managaha Island.

While acknowledging that all participants were already winners by merely making themselves available for the derby, organizers still had to pick winners in the most fish, longest fish, and most variety categories of the tournament.

Francis C. Deleon Guerrero reeled in the most fish with 11 pieces caught during the competition. Patrick Aldan came in second with eight, while Jaimee Liza Hopkins and James Masao A. Deleon Guerrero were tied at third with seven pieces each.

The longest fish award was won by 11-year-old Christopher Meyers, who reeled in a 24.5-cm whopper. It was Meyers’ second kids fishing derby. He first joined the summer competition in 1998 as a five-year-old and came in second to the eventual champion.

Jonah Flores was runner-up this year in the category after hooking a 23.5-cm specimen, while third place went to Aldan, who caught a fish measuring 22.5 cm.

After coming up second in the most fish and third place in longest fish categories, Aldan finally nailed first place after winning the most variety award.

Aldan, who loves fishing with a passion, caught five different kinds of fish to top the category and installed himself as the participant with the most trophies for the day with three.

Longest fish runner-up Flores finished second in the most variety category with four, while nine young fishermen finished in a tie for third place after catching three kinds of fish each.

The nine participants with three different kinds of fish were Hopkins, Deleon Guerrero, Francis C. Deleon Guerrero, Jonathan Pangelinan, Adrian C. Pangelinan, Khesler and Khaiza Takawo, Joseph Jitter, and Eldred C. Sanchez.

Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Vicky Benavente and Department of Land and Natural Resources Sec. Richard Seman were on hand to present the winners with their trophies and prizes.

Francis C. Deleon Guerrero, Meyers, and Aldan each picked up a $50 school supply gift certificate, a Saipanda backpack, and a championship trophy for finishing in first place.

Aldan, and Flores each took home a $25 school supply gift certificate, a $15 ice cream gift certificate, a Saipanda backpack, and a runner-up trophy for finishing second, with Flores making the trip to the stage twice.

All 12 third-place winners each got a $10 school supply gift certificate, a $10 ice cream gift certificate, a Saipanda backpack, and a second runner-up trophy.

The 6th Annual Children’s Fishing Derby was sponsored by the MVA, Pacific Development Inc., CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife, Sea Star, Inc., Shell Marianas, Dollar Rent-A-Car, Ebisuya, R&C Tours (Saipan), Inc., Hula Girl Ice Cream, Lt. Governor Diego Benavente, the 14th CNMI Legislature, and the Saipan Tribune.