If you find yourself traveling across the northern New Jersey, southern New York border this season to do a little fishing in Orange County, NY you might want to consider the first District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby which runs through September 6, 2021 and is open to children between the ages of five and eighteen who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents.
In March, Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced the launch of the new fishing derby which is part of his office’s community outreach program. “Unfortunately, most youth sports and activities have been cancelled or are in limbo due to COVID-19,” the district attorney’s office said in making the announcement, adding “Participation in fishing has skyrocketed with New Yorkers during the COVID-19 crisis, because that activity can be enjoyed at almost any age, in the outdoors with friends and family, while social distancing.
The Fishing Derby will encourage the youth of Orange County and those families traveling into the region to participate in an exciting outdoor sport that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Entry into the Youth Fishing Derby is free and all fish entered in the contest must be legally caught from anywhere in New York State. Fresh and saltwater fish are eligible to be entered into the contest.
To enter a fish, email a photo of the contestant holding the fish, as well as the child’s first name and an adult contact phone number, to dafishingcontest@gmail.com. Each angler can enter up to three fish during the contest, to have multiple chances to win. Ten winners will be drawn at random from all entries received during the contest dates. Each angler is limited to one prize package. All photos entered in the Youth Fishing Derby becomes the property of the Derby.
The 10 winners will receive a Plano tackle box, a Mystery Tackle Box Bass Fishing Kit, a beetle spin lure, a pair of fishing sunglasses, a solar guard face shield, a waterproof field guide to freshwater game fish, and an Orange County District Attorney’s Office T-shirt. Bonus prize: One of the 10 winners, drawn at random, will also receive a Bass Pro Shops $100 dollar gift card. Prizes will be awarded at a pizza party to be held at the District Attorney’s Office in late September 2021, if social gatherings are practical and safe at that time. If that is not possible, then all prizes will be mailed to the winners.
