Fishing derby enchants participants in Sanford

Volunteer Steve Chadbourne, left, takes a break with the auger while Steve Weinert, right, shovels ice out of the hole and his grandson Derek Minchin looks on Saturday on Number One Pond for a kid’s ice fishing derby sponsored by Sanford Parks and Recreation Department. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune

SANFORD — How do you catch a fish when the pond is frozen and snow is piled high on top of a thick layer of ice?

Glenn Dochtermann, right, of the state’s Bureau pf Parks and Land , explains the art of ice fishing to first-timers Derek Minchin, left, and his grandfather Steve Weinert Saturday at Number One Pond,. where Sanford parks and Recreation hosted their annual kids ice fishing derby. TAMMY WELLS/Journal Tribune

You drill with an ice auger, and then you sit, patiently — or, perhaps not so patiently — waiting for a bite.

On Saturday, kids and their parents, grandparents and other family members ventured out onto Number One Pond with one thing in mind: fish.

It was the annual kid’s fishing derby, hosted by the Sanford Parks and Recreation Department.

As he does every year, Glenn Dochtermann of the state’s Bureau of Parks and Land was on hand to dispense advice, along with equipment and bait — live, wiggling minnows.

Dochtermann advised Steve Weinert and his young grandson Derek Minchin to drop a line 10 feet and another 6 feet, into the 14-feet deep pond.

He said the varied depths were necessary as different species of fish like different water temperatures.

Weinert and Minchin picked up their bucket of bait and headed for the frozen, snowy pond.

“It’s the first time for both of us,” said Weinert.

Sanford Parks and Recreation Department’s Lori Hegarty said the derby has been conducted annually for at least 25 years. She said kids in past years have caught a variety of fish, from largemouth bass to yellow perch, sunfish, pickerel, and the occasional eel.

Another contestant, Benjamin Terrill, 10, arrived with his mother, Mary, and sister, Kayla, 13. The family has previously fished at Great East Lake, Mary Terrill said.

“He’s here to win a big prize,” she said of her son as they got ready to head for the pond.

Dochtermann said that ice fishing is an attractive sport as it is affordable and that kids up to 16 years old do not need a fishing license. As well, while all equipment required for the derby was supplied, those who decide to take up the hobby will find that ice fishing equipment is relatively inexpensive compared to other winter sports, he said.

Hegarty pointed out other positive aspects of the sport such as the sociability of ice fishing, and the health aspects of being outside.

“People talk to each other, socialize,” said Dochtermann, and, he added, “you might end up catching dinner.”

Unfortunately, those planning on fresh-caught fish for dinner Saturday were disappointed. According to Hegarty, all the prizes were awarded in raffle form as no fish were caught that day.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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