(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) – The 42nd Annual Fishing Derby is back, with Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District inviting kids to the pond early on Saturday, May 9.
Free, fun, open to all children 15 and under, the event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Rancho Simi Community Park pond, 1765 Royal Ave. in Simi Valley. No registration required. Just show up with a pole, some bait, a little patience.
The horn sounds at 6:30 a.m. sharp. That’s when the fishing begins. No lines in the water before then. All lines must be out by 8:30, with fish weighed in no later than 8:45. The award ceremony follows at around 9:00 a.m., with kids required to be present to claim their prize. Prizes go to the heaviest fish across three age groups, plus a grand prize for the longest catch. Only one prize per child.
The pond is stocked with catfish, sunfish, trout, all edible if you want to take your catch home. The district encourages catch and release so the next child at the pond gets a shot too. District officials say that when done properly, catch and release does not harm the fish.
Kids must cast, hook and land their fish on their own. Adults can help with baiting, netting, removing hooks or untangling lines, but the catch belongs to the child. Only one pole per child in the water at a time. With crowds expected around the pond, the district asks everyone to skip overhead casts, stay mindful of people nearby and watch for waterfowl.
Three weigh stations will be set up around the pond, directly in front of the amphitheater, far right, far left. Bring a bucket or bag of water to transport your fish to the nearest station as soon as it’s caught.
Rotary Sunrise will be on hand serving breakfast. Prizes and awards are generously sponsored by the Simi Valley Elks Lodge along with American Trophies and Awards.
Fishing builds patience, resilience and problem-solving skills. It gets children off screens, into nature, into something real. As RSRPD Board Chair Brian Dennert put it, “when kids spend more time outdoors, they are likely to be mentally and physically stronger as adults. Let’s make sure we pass the love of the great outdoors on to the next generation.”
Forty-two years in, this derby remains a tradition worth waking up early for.
For more information, call (805) 584-4453 or visit rsrpd.org.
