‘I caught a fish this big’ during Peters Township Fishing Derby
Andrew Craft shows off his 11.5-inch catch during the Peters Township Fishing Derby.
Keely Stiegel smiles about one of hte 14 fish she caught on Saturday.
Abby Smith learns that the less-than-three-inch fish she caught was the smallest one yet.
Haylee Ingis tries for more fish after catching the first one of the derby.
Derby winners, from left: Andrew Craft, biggest fish; Abby Smith, smallest fish; Keely Stiegel, most fish; and Haylee Ingis, first fish
Aiden Telban hopes for a bite.
McMurray Rotary Club members Al DeLucia, left, and Roy Crumrine take a break from handling fish.
Amelia Thomas carries some of her family’s fishing supplies.
Amelia Thomas takes a break from fishing to enjoy the weather.
Bree Lipinksi has a seat while fishing.
Emma Lipinski watches her dad, Brian, remove the hook from a fish.
Daina Wang gets ready to try her luck again.
Emma Lipinski hauls something in toward shore.
Evan Swindell makes sure he’s not going to catch his line on anything behind him when he casts.
This photograph actually is from the 2013 fishing derby, but it’s a favorite of the guy who took it.
Graham Piner, 2, enjoys the bag of snacks he received.
Isabelle Lipinski hopes she lands something.
Kara Stiegel and her mother, Crystal
Lexi Vance watches as her dad puts bait on her hook.
Lois Piner shows her fishing form.
Max Montomery gives his luck a try.
Mike Silvestri calls out the winners’ names.
Myla and Madalyn Burchill enjoy their morning at Peters Lake.
Nathan Thomas hopes he catches a fish.
A pumpkinseed was among the fish caught during the derby.
Tony Zuloaga was among the McMurray Rotary Club members who volunteered during the fishing derby.
Wyatt Vance takes his fish to be measured.
You’ve heard those “I caught a fish this big” stories.
Andrew Craft has one, and it’s true.
During Saturday’s Peters Township Fishing Derby, he hauled in an 11.5-inch bass to take first prize among 77 fellow fisher folks. And that made him a repeat champion, as he also caught the biggest fish in Peters Lake at last year’s event.
Joining him in the winner’s circle was Keely Stiegel, who reeled in 14 fish during the two hours of the derby. Rounding out the grand prizes were those awarded to Haylee English, the first to pull a fish from the lake, and Abby Smith with the smallest one caught, at not quite three inches.
This marks the 16th year for the derby, which represents a joint effort between the township parks and recreation department and McMurray Rotary Club.
“Without McMurray Rotary, we wouldn’t be able to do it,” parks and recreation director Michele Harmel said. “They help fund the event. They help staff it. The partnership has just really made the program what it is.”
Club members who took care of such tasks as helping remove fish from hooks, measuring them and making sure they returned to the water safely included Sandra Castro, Roy Crumrine, Al DeLucia, Mike Silvestri and Tony Zuloaga.
The weather cooperated Saturday morning as youngsters and their families spread out around Peters Lake to try to locate prime spots.
“The lake is such a jewel in the township,” Harmel said, “and it’s nice to be able to have this event at such a great location.”
In addition to the grand prizes, every participant received a door prize, along with a snack and a drink, as the children tried their luck with fishing.
“It seemed like today wasn’t a great biting day,” Harmel reported. “Maybe the heat had something to do with it. But we did get a couple with a reasonable amount of fish, and that 11-inch bass was nice, too.”