16-Inch Trout Caught At Caleb Smith Catch And Release Jr Fishing Tournament

By Carole Paquette

Morning group winners [from left]: Ryan Green, Shelby Lloyd and Ayden ZebrowskiFifty-one young anglers and their families enjoyed the serenity and beauty of Willow Pond at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve at the recent Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve’s catch-and-release 16th annual Junior Fishing Tournament. Nearly three hundred fish, including a 16-inch trout, were caught by anglers ranging in age from five to twelve.

Winners of the morning session, for those ages five to eight, were: Ryan Green of Brentwood for the most fish caught: 17; Shelby Lloyd of Smithtown caught the largest pan fish: 10-1/4 inches; Ayden Zebrowski of Northport caught the largest “other”fish: a 14-1/2” trout.

Matthew Bonnell, Anthony DiBenedetto, and Jack DiBenedettoWinners in the afternoon session, for anglers ages nine through twelve, were: Anthony DiBenedetto of St. James, for the most fish caught: 22; Jack DiBenedetto of St. James caught the largest pan fish: 9-3/4 inches; and Matthew Bonnell of Smithtown caught the largest “other” fish: a 16-inch trout.

Another highlight of the event was the Tom Troccoli Memorial Lottery, involving the twenty-six registrants in the afternoon session.  The winner received a fishing rod and tackle box. The Troccoli family donated funds for the memorial letter, which will be continued for many years.

Winner of TomTroccoli Memorial lottery: Anthony Giambone with the late Tom Troccoli’s sons Dave [left] and Chris.The late Mr. Troccoli’s sons, Christopher and David, drew the name of angler Anthony Giambone of Centereach, as the first winner of the Troccoli Memorial award.

“Fishing was my father’s favorite hobby,” said Christopher Troccoli. “he especially loved teaching his grandsons. He started by teaching them to cast in his swimming pool. They got a real kick out of that. When we were young he would often take my brother and me fishing at Caleb Smith or Blydenburgh Parks.”  Chris Troccoli’s two sons, Joseph and Vincent, participated in the morning fishing session.

Tom Tokosh, chairman of the tournament, said he wished to thank Carmine Petrone, Huntington manager of Campsite Sports’ fishing department, who donated fishing poles for a raffle for the younger group of anglers; and The Fisherman magazine, which donated worms and tackle for the event.

- Anthony Giambone, 9, with his dad Will
Jackie Rodriguez, 11, of Inwood, catches a 7-inch blue gill
Lyla Esposito, 9, of Glen Head shows her catch, a 5-1/2 “ pan fish, to judge Carmine Petrone

-Ella Esposito 7 of Glen Head shows off her first catch to judge John Langan
Judge Peter Paquette measures one of the 17 fish that Ryan Green caught to win a prize for most fish caught Ryan Green, 6, concentrates on getting a worm on the hook.