Fishing derby planned at Jefferson Fest

OAK RIDGE — Trout Unlimited Fred S Burroughs/North Jersey Chapter will again be hosting the annual youth fishing derby in conjunction with Jefferson Township's "Jefferson Fest - Food Truck Festival, Concert, and Fireworks", formerly known as "Jefferson Day" on July 8.
All kids under 15 are welcome to participate, and entry is free. You do not need to be a Jefferson resident to fish the derby. Hours for the derby are 1-3 p.m. on Saturday at the Weldon Road Fishing Education Pond, which is directly across the road from the Jefferson High School on Weldon Road.
Registration for the event starts at noon. Kids must supply their own gear, tackle and bait. Catch and release will be enforced by our volunteers who will measure and record each fish caught during the derby. We average between 110 and 175 kids each year at this derby and they have a lot of fun As in prior years, the N.J. State Fish Hatchery in Hackettstown again has offered to stock the pond with a variety of fish prior to the event.
According to County Park and Jefferson Twp. Recreation Dept. rules, only registered kids may fish this pond and adults only if they are assisting a registered participant on derby day. No adults can fish the pond at all until after the derby is over (3 PM) and nobody can fish prior to the derby, not even the kids.
Thank you to Ramsey Outdoor store in Ledgewood for their (annual) generous support in form of a portion of our prizes. Every kid that participates will take home at least a fishing lure with chances at rods, reels, tackle boxes and nets. In each age category, winners usually receive a rod, reel and tackle box while second places gets a rod and reel. Biggest fish regardless of age group wins a fly rod and reel outfit.
This year the costs for this event are borne entirely by Trout Unlimited. While entry is free, cash donations at registration or during the event to cover some of the costs will be appreciated.
The event will take place rain or shine.