BEATRICE, Nebraska -- On Saturday, May 21, 2022, the Lower Big Blue NRD, and Swan 5 Advisory Council hosted the 20th Annual Free Family Fishing Day and Youth Fishing & Casting Derby at the Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area near Tobias. The day consisted of a Youth Fishing Derby, Casting Contest, BB Gun Shoot, Nebraska Game & Parks Fishery Display, Trapping Demonstration, Hayrack rides and a free hotdog lunch.

More than 80 kids ages 1-18 braved the cooler temperatures to participate in the Youth Fishing Derby. Awards were presented for the Most Fish Caught, Biggest Fish Caught, Smallest Fish Caught, and for the Casting Contest. The top award winners in each age group were as follows:

Ages 5 and under

• Most Fish- Howard Senft, Lincoln
• Biggest Fish- Klancy Kunc, Wilber
• Smallest Fish- Oliver Keller, Crete
• Casting Contest- Rowan Sedlachek, Lincoln

Ages 6-9  

• Most Fish-Ava Jerrod, Wymore
• Biggest Fish-Charles Koll, Wilber
• Smallest Fish-Franklin Koll, Wilber
• Casting Contest- Kalen Sedlachek, Lincoln

Ages 10-12: 

• Most Fish-Jayton Jones, Daykin  
• Biggest Fish-Truitt Stohs, Wilber
• Smallest Fish- Jacob McClement, Tobias
• Casting Contest- Henry Koll, Wilber

Ages 13-18

• Most Fish-Keith Kemmerling, Dorchester
• Biggest Fish-Olivia Schafer, Daykin
• Smallest Fish- Cheston Stewart, Western
• Casting Contest- Keith Kemmerling, Dorchester

Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make the day a huge success!