Fishing on a picture-perfect spring day
On a picture-perfect Spring day, barely a shore spot was empty as several hundred young fisher-girls and -boys, parents and friends gathered at Mill Pond, part of the Fivemile River, for the 35th Annual Officer George Cogswell Fishing Derby.
Freshly stocked with 400 young brook and rainbow trout – plus a few larger, ‘lunker’ trout – the first fish were caught only a few minutes after the ‘Lines in the water’ call.
The stocked trout were paid for by the New Canaan Police Benevolent Association.
The fishing derby, first led by the New Canaan Police Department (namesake Officer Cogswell was a police officer), is now led by New Canaan’s Highway Department, said its superintendent Louie Boice.
Many volunteer hands worked together to make this beloved community event a reality, including not only personnel from the Highway Department, but also the Fire Department, Police Department, and Parks & Recreation.
“We just appreciate the help from everyone,” said Mr. Boice, adding that “we’re glad that there’s a good turnout.”
In addition to the stocked trout, bass, perch and catfish naturally live in Mill Pond, and some were caught.
A cormorant, a large aquatic bird, also joined in, apparently well-versed in where the fish are. It regularly dove underwater and swam for extended periods, also hoping to catch a fish.
The fishing derby is very much a ‘full service’ event, with caught fish being measured and weighed, as well as filleted for dinner if desired. Rods and tackle were available on loan. Bait was donated by Fishermen’s World.
Prizes were awarded for largest fish caught, as well as first fish caught by a boy and by a girl. There was also a post-event raffle, with gifts cards, tackle boxes, fishing rods and other prizes – all donated by local merchants.
