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Monongahela Serves As Host at the Aquatorium

By Paul Chasko

June 21 was cool and cloudy and the 75 kids that showed up at the City of Monongahela Aquatorium caught and released over 24 fish in the Annual Fishing Derby, with some taking home trophies.

Winners in the 1-5 age group are (l to r): Charlie Braun-1st place; Halle Smith-3rd place; and Caden Smith-2nd Place.

This year's derby brought out 75 kids with moms, dads, grandparents or big brothers on hand to help out. The Derby ran from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and there was lots of action. The kids fished either from the Aquatorium of from the banks of the Monongahela River on either side. A variety of fish were caught, and members of the Valley Inn Sportsman Association were on hand to see that the fish were netted, measured and released.

There were 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize trophies for the largest fish caught in the 1- 5 year, 6-10 year and 11-15 year age groups, and a single trophy for the most fish caught. The winners of the trophies were:

1-5 Years

1st Place: Chase Ambrose (14" Largemouth Bass)2nd Place: Camron Firolo (12" Crappie)3rd Place: Noah Quattrf (11 ¾" Crappie)

6-10 Years

1st Place: Hunter Clilbbens (23" Carp)2nd Place: Dalton Terrant (21" Carp)3rd Place: Cody Scheponik (19" Gar)

11-15 Years

Hunter Clibbens gets to hold the 23" Carp he caught.

1st Place: Charley Braun (16" Catfish)2nd Place: Caden Smith (11" Smallmouth Bass)3rd Place: Halle Smith (10" Smallmouth Bass)

Most Fish Caught

Diego Frederick (Four fish)

There were enough door prizes donated that it seemed every contestant at the event won something.

Monongahela Mayor Bob Kepics was on hand to congratulate all the winners, to thank all the local merchants who donated food and prizes to make the event a success, and to especially thank the Valley Inn Sportsman Association, who made it all happen.

Mayor Kepics noted this was the 11th annual fishing contest hosted at the Monongahela Aquatorium – only one year was missed due to renovations underway at the Aquatorium. The four-year project improving the Aquatorium is essentially complete. New spectators stands and seating, new bathrooms and sewage handling facilities, a new storm water handling system, a public boat dock and, of course, the concession stand were part of project, costing about $947,000.

Click on "Gallery" to see more photos of this event by Paul Chasko.

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