Children fish at the Downie / Yuba River Confluence in Downieville
DOWNIEVILLE — The Downieville Lions Club hosted its annual “fishing derby” last Sunday. Each entrant received a jar of salmon eggs, graciously donated by Cindy McCreary, owner of the Sierra Hardware Store.
Nine young anglers, ranging in age from 3 to 14, braved the cool Sunday morning temperature to cast their lines into the Yuba River. As in past years, the Fish and Wildlife Department planted Rainbow Trout, in cooperation with the Lions Club, from the Courthouse Bridge the Friday before Father’s Day.
This year’s first-place derby winner, 9-year-old Amiah Gilbert, brought in a trout weighing one pound that was 15” long. Second place went to 14-year-old Joseph Svitana, with a fish weighing 11 ounces and 14 1/4” long. The third-place winner, 3-year-old Riley Carr’s Rainbow, also weighed in at 11 ounces but was 13 1/2” in length. The winners and their fathers seemed to enjoy the experience and were thrilled with their prize winnings.
(Left to right) Former Lion, Jim Johnston, assisted Lions Richard Halliday and Mike Galan with the event
This event is just one way that the Downieville Lions Club serves its community. If you are interested in joining this worthwhile organization, please contact the Membership Chairperson at 530-289-3017.