By Lynn Skall
Fifth Annual Questa Fishing Derby–$1,000 in Cash Prizes! Over 60 contestants from ages 2 to 70 participated in the Fifth Annual Questa Fishing Derby at Eagle Rock Lake on Saturday, June 26, vying for $1,000 in cash prizes. In an unexpected twist and turn of the reel, the longest fish were caught by the youngest anglers! More than 75 prizes, donated by local sponsors, were awarded. Smoky Bear from the Carson National Forest was there, too! Congratulations to all winners:
Toner Mitchell, New Mexico Water and Habitat Program Director for Trout Unlimited, a supporter of the event, was the fish-measuring officiant. Ember-Star Medina, age 5, from Taos, fishes every weekend at Eagle Rock Lake with her family. She hooked the longest fish of the day, a Rainbow Trout, winning $100 for first place in the under-12 kids’ category. Questeña and new mom, Patricia Michael, won $500 for first place in the adult category. In second place was Fabian Vargas of Questa ($100), and a tie for third went to Roberto Falomir of Questa and Joey Allison of Espanola (splitting $50).