Community Fun Event
By Cary Ihme
It was 19 years ago that Ed Saxton helped start the “fishing clinic” in Central City at the William C. Russell Park, where he would teach kids how to fish. The fishing clinic has since evolved into the Father’s Day Fishing Derby sponsored by the Gilpin County Rec Center, The City of Central, and the Central City Elks Lodge. Ed Saxton has not missed one year. He didn’t even miss the year he was not feeling so well but attended the derby anyway, then later ended up at the hospital having heart surgery. That is dedication.
Ed’s youngest granddaughter, Cheyenne Gerhardus, has now attended her last derby as a competitor. She will be too old next year as the derby is open to kids aged 2-16. That may come as good news to some of the kids who were skunked this year as Cheyenne raked in the fish and the prizes.
Garret Simmering had the lucky spot of the day. He caught eight fish total.
While some of the kids went home without catching a fish, they did not go home empty handed. Every kid received a prize.
I am told the Saxton/ Gerhardus family will likely be back to the derby even though they won’t have kids competing. They will help other kids fish and will continue to enjoy the day as a family. I sure hope so. It just wouldn’t be the same without them.
Here is the list of winners…
First Caught
Boys: Garin Pohl
Girls: Cheyenne Gerhardus
Largest Caught Age 2-4
1st Nicolette Trujillo
2nd Taylor Shimmering
3rd Zarin Casarez
Largest Caught Age 5-8
1st Shyanne Pohl
2nd Skyley Ramsey
3rd Garret Simmering
Largest Caught Age 9-12
1st Caitlyn Simmering
Largest Caught Age 13-16
1st Cheyenne Gerhardus
2nd Chris Clemmer
3rd Courtney Clemmer
Smallest Caught Age 2-4
Boys: Zarin Casarez (9 ½”)
Girls: Taylor Shimmering (10”)
Smallest Caught Age 5-8
Boys: Garret Simmering (10”)
Girls: Savannah Pohl (9”)
Smallest Caught Age 9-12
Girls: Caitlyn Simmering (10”)
Smallest Caught Age 13-16
Boys: Chris Clemmer (10”)
Girls: Courtney Clemmer (10”)
Most Caught Age 2-4
Boys: Zarin Casarez
Girls: Nicolette Trujillo
Most Caught Age 5-8
Boys: Garret Simmering
Girls: Shyanne Pohl
Most Caught Age 9-12
Girls: Caitlyn Simmering
Most Caught Age 13-16
Boys: Garret Simmering
Girls: Courtney Clemmer
Last Caught
Boys: Garret Simmering
Girls: Courtney Clemmer
Photo Derby 01: The Gerhardus/Saxton Family
Photo Derby 02: Cory and Cayden Cook enjoy Father’s Day together.
Photo Derby 03: Derby kids are all winners.
Photo Derby 04: Garret Simmering with one of his eight fish of the day.
Photo Derby 05: Central City Elks Members