Hundreds of families fill the Rock Island Conservation Club

 “The gates open at six, fishing cannot start until seven, but I will tell you this morning we had vehicles lining up at 3:50 am,” says Lara Hodge. 

With their fishing poles and portable lawn chairs, hundreds of families filled the Rock Island Conservation Club for the second annual fishing derby. 

“There’s probably close to 300 or so families,” says Hodge. 

The event is hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley 

It raises funds for the organization and allows people to win prizes.  

“We tagged 300 fish with red tags, and there are 50 fish that we tagged with a grey tag,” says Hodge. “If they catch one of the grey tags they are eligible to win the Honda CRV,” says Hodge.  

Other prizes include bikes, gift certificates and outdoor gear. 

Many who won prizes last year came back in hopes of catching another tagged fish. 

“Last year I caught a fish and I went to the front and I won a big fishing pole,” says Matthew Freeman. 

“In the first five minutes I caught a fish and it was tagged, and I won a bike,” says Brock Luna. 

With so many people, the competition was intense and some kids learned something new about fishing. 

“I learned that it’s pretty frustrating,” says freeman. 

“Takes a lot of patience,” says Luna. 

Overall families enjoyed the outdoors together 

Organizers say aside from raising awareness about the organization, they’re glad this has turned into a family event. 

“It’s a wonderful time for parents, grandparents, uncles to spend time with their kids and doing a very positive fun event” says Hodge.