09/14/2026
2026 Fishing Derby was another success, a little rainy but still a great time. This year we had 180 kids signed up, 104 boys and 76 girls and 521 fish caught.
We would like to thank all the families for taking the time to bring your kids to this event, especially sticking it out in the rain, without you this event wouldn’t be as successful as it is. We would also like to thank the Shelby FFA students for all the hard work they did with food, measuring and writing down all fish the kids caught. Thank you to Officers, Dispatchers and Retirees, they work just as hard to make the event run smoothly. A big thanks to American Towers and Shelby Airport for the use of their pond, Shelby Fire for their tent, and Grampaw’s Bait & Lures for the bait. Lastly, we would like to thank the Shelby Businesses for all their donations. Their generosity allows us to purchase all the prizes and other items for the derby. They are truly the best when it comes to asking for donations. If you do not support local businesses after seeing the prizes and giveaways this year you really should. If I miss anyone, I would like to say thank you. There is so much that goes into setting up and running the fishing derby some people are sometimes missed in the acknowledgment, and we really do appreciate each person, group or business that helps us run a successful fishing derby. We can’t wait to see you again next year!!
3-6 year olds
Boys:
1st Place – Emmett Argo - 7 1/2” Bluegill
2nd Place – Deaken Neutzling – 7” Bluegill
3rd Place – Lincoln Vail – 7” Bluegill
Girls:
1st Place – Emily Jayes – 8 1/4” Bluegill
2nd Place – Everleigh Po***ck – 7” Bluegill
3rd Place – Addison Gregory – 6 1/2” Bluegill
(Placing is counted by who caught the biggest fish first)
7-10 year olds
Boys:
1st Place – Maddox Roy - 7 1/2” Bluegill
2nd Place – Zaiyd Davis – 7 1/2” Bluegill
3rd Place – Luke Wilford – 7” Bluegill
Girls:
1st Place – Leena Neutzling – 7” Bluegill
2nd Place – Kennedy Sexton – 7” Bluegill
3rd Place – Kensley Barnett – 6 1/2” Bluegill
(Placing is counted by who caught the biggest fish first)
11-15 year olds
Boys:
1st Place – Liam Hicks – 8” Bluegill
2nd Place – Karter Barnett – 8” Bluegill
3rd Place – Mason Gibson – 7 1/2” Bluegill
Girls:
1st Place – Jazlynn Hardin – 8” Bass
2nd Place – Hayden Howell – 6 1/2” Bluegill
3rd Place – Liliana Smith – 6” Bluegill
(Placing is counted by who caught the biggest fish first)
Most Fish – Hayden Howell – 32 fish caught
Smallest Fish – Carsyn Barth – 2” Bluegill
*Honorable Mention – Karter Barnett with a 20” Turtle*
Adult Raffle Prize (thanks to Stanley Black and Decker)
Reaul Bera
John Hicks
William Castle
