Since 2016, every year around the 4th of July, the HSV Anglers Club and HSV Lakes Management have made it a tradition to co-host a Kids Fishing Derby at the Lake Cortez Pavilion. According to Don Langston of the HSV Anglers Club, this year’s event held on July 1st “was enthusiastically enjoyed by 91 kids who caught 103 fish. The largest fish was caught by 7-year-old Carolina Hydlika, weighing 3 pounds, 2 ounces.”
“The kids had a great time catching fish and eating hot dogs. The HSV Anglers Club gave away $335 in prizes and over 120 hot dogs with chips. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this event a success and to Katy Harmon and the rest of the HSV Lakes Management team.
Special thanks to Janet Rowe and her fellow Wuz-a-Fuzz members that volunteered to do security Thursday and Friday nights before the derby to ensure that no one came in overnight for the fish, which occurred a few years ago,” shared Langston.
“This event has always been one of my personal favorites. There’s nothing better than seeing a kid’s face light up when they start reeling their fish in and all those smiles when they weigh it in!” enthused Katy Harmon, HSVPOA Lakes Supervisor.
Lakes Manager Harmon continued, “Countless hours of preparation, donations, and volunteer time were dedicated to this event. Lakes Management would like to thank all of those who made this event possible; HSV Anglers Club, Janet Rowe for coordinating volunteers to watch the derby site for two nights, Casa Verde Garden Center and Landscaping for donating fishing poles, Masterbaiters Bait and Tackle for donating ten dozen worms, HSV Parks and Recreation for getting the area mowed nicely, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for providing the catfish through their Kids Fishing Derby Program,”
Harmon stated, “Lakes Management is honored to be able to contribute to this event, and we already can’t wait until next year!”
Cover image by Janet Rowe; Other photos by Katy Harmon and Joe Dowden.
