Barbara Lawlor, Central City. A small ripple where the line entered the water became a small splash as one of the 1,000 trout bit the lure at the William C. Russell fishing pond on Sunday, June 21. Around 40 fishermen and -women gathered on the shores of the small lake above Central City. On Saturday, 1,000 trout had been dumped into the lake.

“I’ve got one, I’ve got one,” a child shouted, and about four adults gathered round yelling instructions. When the child pulled the flapping fish out of the water, a dad grabbed the line and said, “Here, let me get it off.”

After all, it was Father’s Day and good old dad wanted part of the action.

The Father’s Day Fishing Tournament has been going on for 19 years and now some of the kids who caught their first fish in the lake had their children throwing in their lines with hope in their eyes.

Members of the Central City Elks Club grilled hot dogs and burgers for the contestants and their fans. The event was co-sponsored by the Gilpin County Recreation Center, which supplied the prizes including fishing rods and other fishing equipment.

Kalyn Clause, 13, was the first female to bring in a fish, pulling in an 11.5-incher. She said she and her dad fished together often and he had taught her how to reel them in. John Clause says he has fished all of his life, but this was his first tournament.

Daniel Miera and his daughter Camila, 3, said it was his first time in Central City, “But it is a perfect way to spend Father’s Day.”

Erik Brandon showed off his Father’s Day fishing bracelet, which spelled out DAD. He showed his daughter Victoria how to get some distance on a cast and then wait.

The weather was perfect, the sky a deep blue reflected in the cool water and Brandon gave a thumbs up. It was about as good as it gets.

Gilpin County employee Patty Chavez kept track of all the winners in all the categories and enjoyed her day in the sun.

Father’s Day Fishing Tournament Results:

The First Caught prize went to Taylor Simmering and Kalyn Clause.

The Most Caught in the 2-4 category were: Jett Peyrouse, 2; and Sophia Clavette, 3. In the 5-8 category were Austin Ramirez, 3; and Taylor Simmering, 2. In the 9-12 category, Garret Simmering caught 2. In the 13-16 category, Kalyn Clause caught 2 and Katie Simmering caught 3.

The Longest Fish Caught in the 2-4 category were Sophia Clavette, 12.5 inches. In the 5-8 category, Taylor Simmering, 12.5 inches. In the 9-12 category, Caden Zogt, 12.25 inches. In the 13-16 category, Kalyn Clause, 11.5 inches.

The Shortest Fish Caught in the 2-4 category were Sophia Clavette, one inch; and Jett Peyrouse, 11 inches. In the 5-8 category was Austin Ramirez, 11 inches.

In the Last Caught category were Sophia Clavette and Taylor Simmering.