By Charles James

July 1 was a free fishing day in California and dozens of anglers, young and old took advantage of it at the Big Pine Fishing Derby which was held on Saturday, July 1.

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 24 Mike Piper with family from Keeler won big with 600 Blind Bogey and Adult 3rd Place Largest Total

Mike Piper with family from Keeler won big with $600 Blind Bogey and Adult 3rd Place Largest Total … All photos courtesy of Charles James

Anglers registered in the parking lot of Country Kitchen Restaurant starting at 6:30 a.m. before scattering around the county to catch (hopefully) a prize-winning trout. Those that didn’t pass out from the high triple-digit temperature during the day returned to the restaurant at 3:30 p.m. for the closing event, which featured lots and lots of prizes.

Cash prizes for the Biggest Trout and  Largest Total ranged from $50 up to $200 for Adults and Juniors. The event was capped with a $600 Blind Bogey won by Mike Piper of Keeler, who also won Third Place Largest Total.

The event was sponsored by the Big Pine American Legion Glacier Post 457  and the County of Inyo through its Community Grants Program.

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 10 Grandfather Dennis Schoenmeir attended fishing derby Bradley and Howie Liggatt with dog Sadie

Grandfather Dennis Schoenmeir attended fishing derby Bradley and Howie Liggatt with dog, Sadie

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 17 Rick Fields Marilyn Mann and Rick Reel were busy handing out lots of prizes and prize money at Big Pines Fishing Derby.

Rick Fields, Marilyn Mann and Richard Reel were busy handing out lots of prizes and prize money at Big Pine’s Fishing Derby.

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 2 Sandy Lund and Marilyn Mann with the Big Pine Civics Club arrived early to register anglers

Sandy Lund and Marilyn Mann with the Big Pine Civics Club arrived early to register anglers

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 5 Rick Fields Doug Macurda and Nick Nersesian at Country Kitchen Restaurant which hosted the event

Rick Fields, Doug Macurda and Nick Nersesian at Country Kitchen Restaurant, which hosted the event

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 19 Jesse Aquilera took home prizes for Adult 1st place Biggest Fish and 2nd Place Largest Total

Jesse Aquilera took home prizes for Adult-1st place Biggest Fish and 2nd Place-Largest Total

4th County District Supervisor Mark Tillemans congratulates Dana Vinciguerra of Huntington Beach. the proud winner of the Fishing Quilt Raffle. 2

4th County District Supervisor Mark Tillemans congratulates Dana Vinciguerra of Huntington Beach. the proud winner of the Fishing Quilt Raffle.

 

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 21 Paul Kachirski of San Diego took Adult 1st Place Largest Total for 200 and 50 for 3rd Place for Largest Total

Paul Kachirski of San Diego took Adult-1st Place Largest Total for $200 and $50 for 3rd Place for Largest Total

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 20 Ryan Marcinko from San Luis Obispo taking home 100 prize for Adult 2nd place for biggest fish

Ryan Marcinko from San Luis Obispo, taking home $100 prize for Adult 2nd place for biggest fish

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 23 Joshua Kachirski of San Diego won 200 for Junior 1st Place Largest Total.

Joshua Kachirski of San Diego won $200 for Junior 1st Place Largest Total.

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 14 Charles James of Big Pine won free chicken dinner at Country Kitchen.

Charles James of Big Pine won free chicken dinner at Country Kitchen.

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 9 Kelby Cherrick 18 of Big Pine hauled in a big bass from Tinemaha Reservoir. Sadly not a trout

Kelby Cherrick, 18, of Big Pine hauled in a big bass from Tinemaha Reservoir. Sadly, not a trout

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 18 Richard Reel raffling off hat from Reagans Sporting Goods of Bishop.

Richard Reel raffling off hat from Reagan’s Sporting Goods of Bishop.

2017 6 01 Big Pine Fishing Derby 6 Petros Nazarian with Nick age 10

Petros Nazarian with ‘Nick’, age 10

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