By Nicholas Perrotti
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Dylan Egan holds his 17-1/2 inch bass that he caught at the tournament. Fishing judge Ken Willens, right, dubbed it one of the largest he’s seen caught at the park. What some members of the Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve are calling “the largest fish caught in a long time at the park” won a prize for 7-year-old Dylan Egan of Smithtown. Dylan, in his first time fishing at the Friends’ annual junior anglers tournament held on Saturday, June 15, caught a 17-1/2 inch bass, winning him the third place award for catching the largest “other” fish.
More than 30 children participated in the 11th annual tournament held at the Smithtown state park, and a total of 98 fish were caught at designated sites around Willow Pond. After being measured by judges, immediately after a fish was caught, it was released back into the pond. Children ages 5 to 8 fished from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and those ages 9 to 12 from 1 to 3 p.m.
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Winners in the morning session, from left: Hannah Lentz, Dylan Egan, Ryan O’ConnorA first prize for catching the most fish, went to repeat performer Hannah Lentz, 6, of Lake Grove. With her lucky pink Barbie pole, Hannah caught 17 fish in the morning session. The announcement of her award brought cheers of “The pink Barbie pole wins again!” Last year, Hannah won first prize for catching 21 fish.
Second prize, the award for largest pan fish, went to Ryan O’Connor, 8, of Smithtown who caught a 9-1/2 inch sunfish.
In the afternoon session, 45 fish were caught, and Dylan’s large bass had long departed the scene for other waters.
Sal Lupo, 12, of Deer Park won first prize for catching the most fish. Sal, an avid;)
Winners in the afternoon session, from left: Matt Krozer and Sal Lupo. Not pictured, Timothy Glover. angler, caught nine fish.
“I fish all the time with my grandparents and my dad,” he said. “Any place with a rod and water equals fishing!” Within his first hour fishing, Sal had caught a 10-1/2 inch bass.
Matt Krozer, 11, of Smithtown won second prize for catching the largest pan fish, a 9-1/2 inch sunfish.
Timothy Glover, 11, of Center Moriches, who caught a 10-1/2 inch bass, won the award for the largest “other” fish caught.
“The kids are having a great time,” said judge John Perrotti, as he helped the LoCascio sisters Olivia, 10 and Sophia, 12, of East Northport bait their hooks. It was their first time fishing ever, they said. After a few casts Sophia caught an 8-inch sunfish and it made her day.