On July 26, hundreds of junior anglers gathered at the pond in Sycamore Creek Park for the 19th Annual Pickerington Youth Fishing Derby, sponsored by Don Shaffer and the Shaffer Team. All participants received a free T-shirt, and winners in each age bracket took home new gear.
Pickerington siblings Charlie, Charity and Chaden fish for bluegills along the eastern bank.
This catfish caught by Braxton Butchko weighed 1.44 kg (3.17 pounds).
Jakoby Mann, incoming freshman at Pickerington High School North, caught this 1.4 kg (3.08 pounds).
Big Griff’s Bait set-up a pop-up shop selling bait handmade by owner (and Pickerington Central freshman) Griffin. Griffin was tired of overpriced swim baits at sporting goods stores, so he began making his own and selling them for $2.25 per package. “It’s not right to overcharge!” The baits are also available to purchase on Griffin’s website: biggriffsbait.com.
Brady, a seventh grader at Ridgeview Junior High, performs another flawless cast. Although not a stranger to the pond at Sycamore Creek Park, Brady much prefers fishing at Jim Lake located in Fox Glen East.
