Rain can’t smash the enjoyable: Kids land lunkers at Loomis Lake fishing derby

Rain can’t smash the enjoyable: Kids land lunkers at Loomis Lake fishing derby

Published 2:15 pm Sunday, May 17, 2026

OCEAN PARK — A mid-May morning solar had simply begun to interrupt via the clouds when the large one determined to chew.

Eight-year-old Colton Masters braced himself on the financial institution, his fishing rod bent in a giant arch because the rainbow trout made one remaining break for glory.

A clinking drag and shouts of pleasure echoed throughout the 149-acre lake as Colton’s father Rick and massive brother Parker, 13, rallied to his support, serving to information the large fish to the financial institution and into an awaiting nylon internet.

The three-pound rainbow trout was the most important Colton had ever caught, one in every of a number of lunkers landed in the course of the third annual Loomis Lake Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 16, in Ocean Park.

Rain, rain went away

Approximately 60 aspiring youth fishers participated within the free occasion, organized by Roger Taylor, proprietor of the Fireside Inn & Saloon, in Long Beach. More than 2,000 fish had been planted forward of the derby, together with over 100 ‘lunkers,’ starting from three to 5 kilos, Taylor mentioned.

A soaking, early-morning rain stored some contributors residence Saturday, with solely about half of the anticipated fishers arriving, however those who got here had been met with blue skies and aggressive fish by 9 a.m.

“The rain was a little dampening, but the event went really well this year,” Taylor mentioned. “The kids were having a ball catching those lunkers, and that’s what it’s all about.”