Something fishy at Peters Lake Park
As for the one that got away, well … it got away.
A valiant effort to land what very well may have been a footlong fish in Peters Lake went for naught when the line broke. But witnesses will vouch for any “I almost caught one this big” stories.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
From left are Ilya Belldina, Hailey Grant, Connor Garin and Josh Hunter.
The award for catching a fish almost that big went to Conor Garin, who landed an 11.5-incher during the approximately 18th annual Peters Township Fishing Derby on Aug. 18.
Conducted by the township parks and recreation department and sponsored since the beginning by the McMurray Rotary Club, the event at Peters Lake Park gives youngsters two hours beside the lake with their rods and reels, with door prizes – in this case, picnic-table prizes? – presented to participants throughout the morning.
Along with Conor and his biggest fish, three other fisherfolk won awards:
- Ilya Belldina, first catch of the day
- Hailey Grant, smallest fish
- Josh Hunter, most fish
As per derby tradition, each and every fish that was caught and measured promptly was returned to the lake. Whether any turned around and took the bait again is purely a matter of conjecture.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
Laci Wyatt tries her luck.