It is a beautiful weekend for fishing and the sunny, mild weather brought hundreds out for day one of Rabbit Run Dam’s annual two day trout fishing derby event. Today (Saturday, May 2, 2015) the annual kids’ derby was held. The parking lot was filled to capacity at all times, with cars even parked along the dirt road leading into the dam. Bill Weaver, president of the Rabbit Run Fish & Game Association, said he is pleased with the turnout and thanks all the area sponsors of the derby, as well as the many individuals and businesses who came together with donations in light of the June 2014 theft of trout and equipment from the association.

“We are pretty well set, thanks to the donations we have received. We were able to provide all the trophies and prizes we do every year, and also restock our nursery with young trout for the next twelve month’s growing season and replace some stolen equipment,” Mr. Weaver said. A large portion of Rabbit Run’s derby sponsorship comes from Cabela’s, which provides hats, poles, gift certificates and other items.

For this weekend’s derbies, 2000 trout were stocked, with 25 of those being 20″ in length or greater. For today’s kids’ derby there were four trophies for largest catch and first limit caught (five trout). There were 45 prizes, including poles, and toys of various types, with 5 prizes being awarded at the top of every hour. The first 60 children at the derby received a Cabela’s closed face pole and a hat. The child who catches the largest trout today will have it mounted for free by Cabela’s. At noon a drawing also took place for both a girl’s and boy’s bike and helmet from Walmart that they will get to pick out themselves.

Tomorrow is “button Day” for both adults and kids. The button costs $15 and includes Rabbit Run membership and helps to fund the dam and hatchery through the coming twelve months. Purchasers of the button receive a Cabela’s hat and discount coupon from the store. Again there will be four trophies given out and a grand prize of a two night/three day Driftboat trip on the Salmon River in Pulaska, NY for the heaviest stringer of fish on Button Day.

The kids’ derby today ends at 6pm. Tomorrow’s button day runs from 7am until 6pm.

Anyone wishing to donate to the Rabbit Run Fish & Game Association can send donations to William Weaver, 207 Race Street, Tamaqua PA  18252. Checks should be made out to Rabbit Run Fish and Game Association. Mr. Weaver can be contacted by phone at 570-657-1364 or via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/william.weaver.5011.

TamaquaArea.com Photos (via Kathleen Quinn-Farber):
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