Blessed by a special dispensation from the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) that permits the event the week before the regular fishing season opens, the children rise early in the morning to ply their fishing skills along the Susan River or Piute Creek through Memorial Park (for the younger anglers). Susanville is the only community in the state allowed to hold such an event.

The organizers sought the special permission due to conflicts between young anglers and adults when the event was held on fishing season’s opening day back in the 1980s.

The Sportsmen’s Club budgets $4,500 to $5,000 for the derby and about $3,500 goes to purchase fish that are planted in the river and the creek, especially for the young anglers.

The sponsors estimate about 2,000 pounds of fish were planted through their efforts the Thursday before the event. DFG planted another 1,200 pounds of fish Friday.

Most of the fish are in the two-pound- give-or-take range, but there are a few larger fish tossed into our local waters as well. A young girl caught the largest fish of the day at 3 poundsand 4 ounces.

If you’ve ever checked out the Susan River along Riverside Drive during the Junior Fishing Derby, the sight is quite amazing. Sometimes the kids line up shoulder to shoulder along the river.

It must be mighty scary to be a fish in the river during the Junior Fishing Derby!

Then members of the local business community come together to award prizes for the children — Leslie’s Jewelry, Western Nevada Supply, Larry’s Spirit Gas, Billington Ace Hardware — bikes, tackle boxes and rods and reels. The smile on the face of a youngster with a brand new bike is priceless.

Local restaurants and merchants donate food and drinks for breakfast and lunch for the kids — D&L Distributing, Frosty Mill, Rainbow Bread, Burger King and Grocery Outlet.

Other sponsors and prize contributors include the Lassen County Fish and Game Commission, Lassen County Supervisors Brian Dahle and Jim Chapman, the city of Susanville Recreation Round Up, The Susanville Indian Tribal Office, Diamond Mountain Casino, Diamond Mountain Mini Mart, Eleanora Hall, John Boska, Lassen Addressing, Walgreens, Tactical Reload, Pizza Factory and C&S Waste.

We can all be proud of the Susanville Junior Fishing Derby — an event the community rallies around to give our young people a positive outdoor fishing experience, some free food and a chance to win a prize.

Well done to everyone involved in this wonderful annual event. You make our community a great place to live.