Trout Rodeo in Birdsboro brings out the anglers

For many of the 122 participants in this year’s Trout Rodeo sponsored by the Daniel Boone Optimist Club, it was the first time they had participated in the annual event. This year was the 12th annual Trout Rodeo, and it was held at the South Birdsboro Archery Rod and Gun Club in May.

The free event was open to young anglers between kindergarten and fifth grades.

Chairman of the event, Maryann Uivary said it was “heart warming” to see the excitement and smiles on the children’s faces.

The pond was stocked with 358 rainbow trout from Limestone Springs hatchery.

Uivary said more than one-third of the trout were caught by the young anglers. Once they finished fishing, the participants headed up to the club house where Optimist members Shawn Moore and David Hyres greeted them with refreshments.

Prizes were awarded in a variety of categories throughout the event.

The first fish of the day was caught by 6-year-old Mackenzie Ulrich of Birdsboro. Giuliana Santangelo,4, of Reading, caught the second trout and Makenna Leibenguth, 4, of Douglassville caught the third.

Giuliana Santangelo and Devan Banos, age 11 of Douglassville, shared the honor of catching the largest trout between 8 and 10 a.m. They each caught a 16 inch trout.

The largest trout caught between 10 a.m. and noon was a 15 1/2 inch trout caught by 13-year-old Bailey Kriczky of Reading.

Prizes were also given to the first three children who caught five fish. Mackenna Leibenguth won gold place for this category. Giuliana Santangelo won silver, and Tyler Diesinger, 7, from Douglassville won bronze.

Information regarding other Optimist events can be found at www.danielbooneoptimist.com