A perfect day for fishing; that’s the best way to describe the annual children’s fishing contest held along the Mauch Chunk Creek just off Lentz Trail in Jim Thorpe.

The contest is sponsored by the Jim Thorpe Sportsmen’s Club. According to club President Don Vincler, this would have been the 70th annual contest if last year’s contest hadn’t been canceled due to the coronavirus.

“We have about 100 children signed up,” Vincler said. “We are awarding prizes for two age groups: up to 8 years old, and 9 to 15 years old, for boys and girls. We award first, second and third largest trout; first, second and third to hit the limit; and the first to catch a Palomino.”

“The proceeds from this event go to help pay to feed the fish and take care of the nursery.”

Shortly after the contest began, one young girl had already caught her first trout, Kalianna Mertz, accompanied by her parents, Lee and Sheila Mertz, from Jim Thorpe.

The children were learning the steps needed for fishing: what bait to use, how to bait the hook, how to cast the lines and how to reel in the fish when you catch them.

Winners:

Up to 8 years old

1st largest trout

Boys: 21 inches - Silas Kupstas

Girls: 18 inches - Kaliana Mertz

2nd largest trout

Boys: 20 inches - Matthew Allen

Girls: 18 inches - Penni Skrincovski

3rd largest trout

Boys: 17.5 inches - Lee Mertz III

Girls: 16.5 inches - Hailey Smith

1st to reach the limit of 5 fish

Boys: Matthew Allen

Girls: none

2nd to reach the limit of 5 fish

Boys: Eddie Slater

Girls: none

3rd to reach the limit of 5 fish

Boys: Jackson Gryzik

Girls: none

1st to catch a Palomino trout

Boys: Matthew Allen (6 years old)

Girls: Hailey Smith (7 years old)

9 to 15 years old

1st largest trout

Boys: 20.5 inches - Jaxs Miller

Girls: 20 inches - Johanna Davis

2nd largest trout

Boys: 19 inches - Jadon Reese

Girls: 20 inches - Regan Fahringer

3rd largest trout

Boys: 19 inches - Cale Bollinger

Girls: 15.5 inches - Brienna Hernandez

1st to reach the limit of 5 fish

Boys: Corey Kershner

Girls: Brienna Hernandez

2nd to reach limit of 5 fish

Boys: Peyton McLean

Girls: Mebaeh McLean

3rd to reach the limit of 5 fish

Boys: Jaxs Miller

Girls: none

1st to catch a Palomino trout

Boys: Cale Bolinger

Girls: Regan Fahringer