Sixty-three boys and girls between the ages of one and 16 participated in the annual Challis Fishing Derby. The derby is held every June during the National Fishing Week Event and Idaho's Free Fishing Day at Blue Mountain Pond.
Approximately fifty adults including parents and grandparents accompanied the derby contestants. The fishing derby had four age categories for the young anglers: 5 and under, 6-8, 9-11 and 12-16 years of age. Prizes were awarded for the three longest fish caught in each age category.
The largest fish was caught by Kamden Beason. Kamden received a rod and reel combo and a box of trout lures. Emmalynn Arneson won first place in the 5 and under age category. Kenley Roth came in second. Third place went to Lukas Johnson. 6-8 age category big fish winner was Landon Johnson. Kenna Hill came in second. Bella Evans took third place. 9-11 age category big fish winner was Jason Farr. Aspyn Hentk came in second. Aiden Holladay took third place. 12-16 age category big fish winner was Brycen Cutler. Second place went to Riley Miller. Wyatt Kelley took third place.
Five and under first through third place big fish contestants received a rod and reel combo. All other first place big fish contestants received rod and reel combos. Second place contestants received a rod and reel combo. Third place contestants received a tackle box.
In the casting contest Delanie Frazee received first place in the 5 and under category. Ruger Arneson came in second. Boone Pogue came in third. The 6-8 age category casting contest winner was Reann Varney. LJ Jutchison came in second. Kenna Hill came in third. The 9-11 age category casting contest winner was Lukas Arneson. Taylor Bateman came in second. Aiden Holladay came in third. The 12-16 casting contest winner was Kade Beason. Brycen Cutler came in second. Colton Sinz came in third.
First place casting contest winners also received rod and reel combos. Second place casting contest winners won an assortment of fishing lures. Third place casting contest winners received a lure.
Four tagged fish were caught during the derby. Kids who caught a tagged fish during the derby won a $25 gift certificate to The Bent Rod Outdoors or The Village Square. Kenna Hill caught a fish sponsored by Round Valley Supply. Austin Hutcherson caught a fish sponsored by The Village Inn. Brycen Cutler caught a fish sponsored by Blue Mountain Refuse. Kade Beason caught a fish sponsored by The Bent Rod.
Food for the event was provided free of charge by The Y-Inn Café, Challis Lanes, and Lambs Market. Beta Phi Sorority prepared and served food during the event. Each derby contestant received prizes made possible by generous donations from local businesses. Custer County Soil and Water Conservation District assisted by managing the Fishing Derby account. Local businesses that provided donations include: Blue Mountain Refuse, The Bent Rod Outdoors, Custer Telephone Co-Op, Rick Forestier Construction, Allied Building Supply, Country Doctor Chiropractic, Round Valley Preschool and Daycare, Salmon River Electric Co-op, Mountain Valley Irrigation, Jenson Oil-Stinker Stores, K&S Fencing, Surefire Small Engine Repair, Round Valley Irrigation, Round Valley Supply, Challis BLM Employees, Antonio’s Pizza, Custer Soil and Water Conservation District. The Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management Challis Field Office also provided prizes for the young anglers.