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Hook, line, sinker: Annual fishing derby at Peters Lake is fun for all

By Katherine Mansfield staff Writer mansfield@observer-Reporter.Com 4 min read
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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Moments after the Fishing Derby began at Peters Lake Saturday, Duncan Farrand, left, reeled in a fish and won a trophy for first catch of the day. Farrand, 10, and his buddy Bryson Onuffer, right, spent the morning on the water with their fathers Mike Farrand and Wade Onuffer.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Stella Andreyo, 6, of Bethel Park, is decked out in gear and ready to reel in the fishes at the Fishing Derby. Stella, accompanied by her parents Jen and Josh Andreyo and grandpa Fred Droschak, hoped to catch “the biggest” fish Saturday morning.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Greyson McLain, 8, of Peters, waits patiently for the fish bite during the annual Fishing Derby along Peters Lake. McLain spent Saturday morning fishing with his family, an activity he and his father Brent McLain especially enjoy.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Brent McLain, right, helps his son Sawyer, 6, steady his fishing rod during the annual derby at Peters Lake Sunday. Greyson McLain, left, honed his fishing skills through Cub Scouts and on family excursions, and was content to man his own pole and wait patiently for the fish to bite.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Ava Kirker, 5, and her dad Bob Kirker watch the water, hoping for a catch at the annual Fishing Derby at Peters Lake. About 80 children and their families competed in the derby Saturday, sponsored by the township’s Parks and Recreation and the McMurray Rotary.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Tenley Villani, center, proudly reels in a fish with the help of her father, Joe, and siblings Teagan, left, and Teige, right, while little sister Tillie watches from a stroller. The Villanis participate in the annual Fishing Derby less for the competition and more for the memories, Joe and Shannon Villani said.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Grayson Latore, 6, watches the water for signs of fish alongside his father Jason Latore, both of McMurray. This is the second time Grayson, who loves casting his line, has entered the Fishing Derby at Peters Lake, and he brought lots of snacks, including his favorite, Goldfish.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Kennedy Caputo, left, watches with bated breath while members of the McMurray Rotary measure her catch. The tiny fish was 3 5/16 long, earning Caputo, of Peters, the trophy for smallest fish.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Violet Rocco proudly cradles her catch along Peters Lake Saturday morning before handing the fish off to her dad Derek, for safe keeping in a big blue bucket. The Roccos competed in the 17th annual Fishing Derby, sponsored by Peters Township Parks and Recreation and the McMurray Rotary.

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Katherine Mansfield/Observer-Reporter

Landon Blum, 10, hauls his fishing gear down the trail at Peters Lake Saturday morning. The fish weren’t biting in Blum’s original spot, so the 10-year-old derby competitor sought better luck further along the lake.

The sun shone in a cloudless sky, glistening on the waters of Peters Lake, where about 80 children in grades K-5 and their families competed Aug. 20 in the 17th annual Fishing Derby, sponsored by Peters Township Parks and Recreation and the McMurray Rotary.

“This is our biggest (turnout) since COVID,” said Greg Incardona, president of the rotary club. “We’ve been helping with this for 17 years. We just like to stay active in the community. We like seeing families involved. It’s just important to do stuff together.”

Families fished the morning away along the healthy, well-stocked lake. Chairs and coolers filled with snacks dotted the serene landscape, and the faint sound of music and conversation permeated the air.

“This is our fourth or fifth derby,” said Joe Villani, of Peters, who helped his children Teige, Teagan, Tenley and Tillie cast their poles.

“This is where we stand every year,” added Shannon Villani with a smile. “We’re lucky if we catch one fish.”

When Tenley, 5, excitedly reeled in a fish – with the help of her father and siblings – the Villanis cheered and posed for photos with the catch. They weren’t the only family to high-five and celebrate when a fish took the bait.

Violet Rocco, 7, of Peters, cast her fishing pole from a cozy spot along the water, a few yards from her siblings Samuel and Vincent and their father, Derek Rocco. When a fish bit, she darted over large tree roots and announced happily she had caught a fish.

“It felt good,” Violet Rocco said, adding the slippery fish to her water-filled bucket.

While some families fished along the bank, the McLain family claimed a spot on one of Peters Lake’s docks.

Brent McLain said he tries to fish as often as possible with his sons.

“With (our oldest), it’s a common interest. We’re still working on the little one,” McLain said.

The little one, Sawyer, 6, paced the dock and accepted his father’s assistance casting his line. Greyson McLain, 8, stood patiently, waiting for the fish to bite, while their mother Danielle watched from a shaded chair with the family’s newest addition, nine-month-old Hayden, while her husband and sons reeled in the fishes.

On the other side of the lake, the Kirker family, too, cast lines and hoped for the best. After her father Bob Kirker untangled her line, Ava, 5, sporting purple rain boots, stared at the water, waiting for another bite.

“We haven’t (fished) in a while,” said Alison Kirker, watching daughter Ava and son Preston, 7, stand at the water’s edge. “It’s like the perfect excuse to get us back here.”

Derby contestants spent two hours fishing. At ten minutes to noon, police sirens wailed, alerting children the contest was nearly over. Kids and parents lugged blue buckets to the weigh-in station, where rotary members measured and recorded catches before the fish were released.

Every contestant took home a prize – basketballs, sidewalk chalk, Nerf and other toys – but trophies were awarded to the winners in four categories.

Kennedy Caputo, of Peters, took home a golden fish trophy for the smallest catch. Her fish measured 3 5/16 inches.

The largest fish award went to Christopher DelBianco, of South Park, who reeled in a 14 1/2-inch fish.

Jordan Kania, 6, won a trophy for the day’s largest haul; he caught 14 fish.

And moments after the starting bell rang at 10 a.m., Duncan Farrand reeled in a fish, winning a trophy for the day’s first catch.

Near the end of the derby, Greg McVicker and his daughter Avielle, 5, sat side-by-side, hoping to see their bauble bounce on the water, announcing the arrival of a potential catch.

“This is her first time doing the derby,” Greg McVicker said. “It’s a perfect day for this.”

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