| logout
Mighty Fine Fishin’
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
There was definitely something fishy going on at the Barren Fork Fishing Pond as the U.S. Forest Service, Stearns Ranger District hosted their annual Fishing Derby for kids on Saturday (June 3, 2023). With a stocked fishing pond, freshly grilled hamburgers and hotdogs,lots of prizes, and pleasant weather, it’s no surprise that the number of registered participants for Saturday’s derby broke the previous record number of children participating. With a total of 185 “fisherkids,” a whopping 155.37 pounds of fish weighed in at the conclusion of the event.
Top fishers in each age group were as follows:
5-9 year old: 1st place: Bazleigh Marlar 10.66lbs, 2nd place: Emma Dolen 6.58 lbs, 3rd place: Ashlyn King 6.00lbs
10-15 year old: 1st place: Drew Ridner 21.90 lbs, 2nd place: Storm Cordell 13.17 lbs, 3rd place: Jayden Maynard 6.91lbs
Drew Ridner and Amora Mann each hooked an albino catfish.
Lots of prizes were awarded to the top fishers and other participants (through drawings).
The annual event is organized each year by the US Forest Service, Stearns Ranger District. Along with anonymous contributors, community contributors volunteering to assist with donations for this year’s popular event included the following: Ripley’s Aquarium Of The Smokies, Holly Daugherty & Family, Dwayne & Andrea Wright, Quality Cuddles, Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources, Rita Strunk, Operation Unite- Braxton King & Roger Owens, Big South Fork Outdoors, United Trappers of Kentucky- Stacy White, McCreary Cub Scouts Pack 74, Melissa Schell,Big M Discount, Josh King, Kara Newman, Orie S. Ware and Greenwood Lodge, Pine Knot Job Corps., Kroger– Whitley City, KY, For Goodness Cakes– Maygan Park, South Fork Clothing Co., Knife of the Party Catering– The Thompsons, Big South Fork Scenic Railway– Crystal Taylor, Whistle Stop Café, ECP Designs, Suzie’s Knick Knack Shop– Williamsburg, KY, Kim Corbin, John Corbin, Kentucky Splash Waterpark– City of Williamsburg, United Cumberland Bank, and Bobby Strunk.

Members of the Orie S. Ware Masonic Lodge in Stearns donated six new bicycles for prizes at this year’s USFS Fishing Derby at Barren Fork.


A couple of lucky participants in this year’s fishing derby received prizes for reeling in albino catfish.

Members of the Orie S. Ware Masonic Lodge in Stearns donated six new bicycles for prizes at this year’s USFS Fishing Derby at Barren Fork. Lodge members are pictured with one of the six winners.

Posted in Community News
