The 12th Annual Kiwanis Special Olympics Trout Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at Wishon Lake in Fresno County. The derby will begin at 6 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. With your assistance, we will be able to contribute an amount exceeding last year's goal. Hopefully, you will be able to help make this event successful and will be able to attend. Maybe YOU will be the Lucky person to catch the $10,000 grand prize trout!

We are pleased to have received a letter from Oscar Hinojosa, Sports Manager for the Special Olympics Northern California Central Valley Region. In summary it says "Special Olympics Northern California would like to express their gratitude and deepest heartfelt thank you, on behalf of the Special Olympics athletes of the Central Valley for your ongoing donations totaling over $77,000 over a ten year period. Your annual Kiwanis Fishing Derby is truly one of the highlights on the Special Olympics calendar. See the text of entire letter.

The 11th Annual Kiwanis Special Olympics Trout Fishing Derby drew 438 participants on July 14, 2007 at Wishon Lake. A total of 59 tagged fish were caught.  The breakdown was as follows:  6@$100, 9@$50 and 44@$25, with a total of $2,150 paid out.(see photos of a few of the 2007 winners). The $10,000 tagged fish number 1114 was not caught.  Prizes were also awarded for total inches of non-tagged trout for adults and children categories.  The winners for the Adult categories were: Roland Summers of Riverdale 69.25", Richard Bell of Coalinga 66.50", Jared Vosburgh of Reedley 66", Jeff Friesen of Fresno 65.50" and Diana Pearcy of Visalia 65.50". The winners for the Children categories were: Sarah Tharp of Visalia 67.75", Michael Witney of Hanfordl 66", Joseph McFarland of Clovis 63.50, Jacob Egoron of Fresno 62.75", and Ian Nielsen of Berkeley 62.50”.   Even with the low water level, the derby was a successful event.  The Trout Derby was a Fund Raiser to benefit the Special Olympics of Fresno. (see photos of the 2007 event)(See list of winners).

The 10th Annual Kiwanis Special Olympics Trout Fishing Derby Grand Prize $10,000 tagged fish # 748 was caught by Dennis Wilt of Kerman. (see a message from the winner) (see photos of the 2006 winners) Prizes were also awarded for total inches of non-tagged Trout for adults and children categories. The winners for the Adult categories were: Sam Burciaga of Fresno 67", Rebecca Rivera of Fresno 65", Bill Klastskin of Torrance 65", Rollen Summers of Riverside 64.25" and Tom Hoskins of Fresno 64". The winners for the Children categories were: Colton Cates of Corsegold 61.25", Dana Tacherra of Burrel 59.75", Garrett Tharp of Visalia 58.25, Denee Tracherra of Burrel 57.50", and Preston Classen of Paso Robles 56".