CLEARLAKE OAKS— Timing is everything. A casualty of the Pandemic, the 37th Annual Catfish Derby was cancelled in 2020. In 2021, the Derby planners had a tough decision to make. Forego the Derby one more year or change it up to meet the COVID restrictions and, hopefully, get enough entries to cover the upfront cash outlay and prizes required.
“We made the right decision,” said Dennis Locke, Derby Director. “We actually had a record number of pre-registrants and more total entries than in 2019,” he said. “In 2019 it rained and we registered 781 anglers. This year, we registered 882.”
Out of these, 299 entries were from Lake County and the tournament drew 583 fishermen from out of county. A total of 207 catfish were weighed and released.
Camille Gouldberg, President of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association said, “The pandemic threw us for a loop. We spun our wheels a little then took a leap of faith.”
For 37 years, the Business Association has sponsored the Derby. The proceeds support the Clearlake Oaks community including schools, sports, senior citizen programs and other local activities.
Throughout the 3-day fishing tournament, the grins on the faces of the kids and adults spoke volumes.
Seven-year-old Lillie Perez, from Clearlake Oaks, has been fishing with her parents since she was 2. Lillie brought in her biggest catch ever, a 17.88-pound catfish, scoring 5th place in the 10 and under kids’ division.
In the same division, Scarlett Riordan of Lakeport, scored 1st place, winning $100 with her 22.43-pound catch. Scarlett is 8 years old and has been fishing with her family since she was a youngster.
In the two kid divisions, 7 of the 10 winners were locals, the remaining 3 were from Citrus Heights, Folsom and Marysville. A complete list of the winners can be found on the Business Association website under derby standings, www.clearlakeoaks.org.
Robert Cooker, a first time Derby participant from Sacramento, was all smiles holding his $5,000 1st prize check for his 23.72-pound catch.
Cooker said he remembered fishing as a kid but had only recently taken up fishing as an adult. “My birthday was May 11,” he said. “It’s been a good birthday week!”
Asked if he would be back next year, Cooker said yes. “Heck, I’ll probably be back next week!”
Donnie Hall, a long time Derby participant from San Jose, took 2nd prize in the adult division, $1,000, for his 23.57-pound catch.
Unlike Cooker, Hall and his brother, Steve Johnson, are Derby regulars. “We’ve been fishing in the Derby for 23 years and over time added others to our team, sparking a brotherhood we call the Katfish Posse,” Hall said. “Our numbers change from time to time but at present, there are 15 of us.”
In 2001, Hall’s brother broke the record Derby catch with his 32.5-pound catfish, a record he still holds. That year, Johnson won a boat.
Hall and Johnson began fishing off the shore and soon learned boat fishing was a better way to go. “I helped my brother get his first boat and he always said if he ever won a boat, he’d give me his. He kept his word and the next year we had two boats and room for friends,” Hall said.
Of the decision to cancel the Derby in 2020 and the changes this year, Hall said the past year had been hard on everyone. “I’m in the construction business and had to make big adjustments, so I understood why the 2020 Derby was cancelled. Although I was not able to bring my wife, a disabled veteran, because of the weigh-in location, I’m so glad you brought back the Derby this year. Thank you all for what you do.”
On his way out, Hall thanked his old friend Locke, giving him a quick hug.
Locke, who led the derby planning team through the ups and downs of a tough decision, said, “that’s what makes this all worthwhile. Guys like Donnie, who come back year after year, bringing their friends and families to Clear Lake.
“No awards ceremony, no music, no food and no raffles this year,” Locke said. “Just fishing with family and friends and re-connecting after a long year of isolation, a build it and they will come kind of moment.”
As in past years, Lower Lake High School student volunteers helped out the entire 3-days of fishing. On the last day, Evelyn, a sophomore, was on hand early in the morning. Evelyn had already completed her community service hours but decided to volunteer anyway. “Drama is my love and this is my first-time volunteering at the Derby,” she said. “I like the Derby and want to come back next year.”
This year, 66% of the Derby participants came from out of County and 34% from in County.
For more information about the 37th Annual Catfish Derby and a complete listing of the winning entries, check the website, www.clearlakeoaks.org; the Facebook page, Catfish Derby At The Oaks; or send an email to catfishderby@clearlakeoaks.org.
—Olga Martin Steele is public relations director for the Annual Catfish Derby, a programmer at local KPFZ radio and the recipient of Stars of Lake County’s 2021 Woman of the Year Award.
