30th annual catfish derby set for July 16 -17 on Connecticut River

Date: 7/7/2010

July 7, 2010

By Debbie Gardner

Assistant Managing Editor

HOLYOKE -- Anglers, it's time to check your rod and reel and stock up on bait.Post #351's 30th annual Catfish Derby starts at 7 a.m. on July 16!

Spread out over three days July 16, 17 and 18 the Catfish Derby is open to anyone fishing legally in the Connecticut River or any of its tributaries in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire.

"You can fish just about anywhere," Derby founder Donald Partyka said. "It's the largest [Catfish] Derby in the Northeast, maybe in the nation. On our highest year we had 631 participants. We average about 300 fishermen every year."

He said he's had anglers contact him from New York, the Boston area and even down South, asking about motel availability for the derby.

"They come for a weekend of fishing," he said.

Prizes are awarded for the heaviest fish in both adult and junior angler categories. All fish must be brought alive to the weigh-in station at American Legion Post #351, 50 Kolbe Dr., by 2 p.m. on July 18.

"We've got $1,425 in prize money [this year], with 20 cash prizes for the heaviest fish," Partyka said.

He said the adult angler prizes range from $300 and a "big trophy" for the first-place winner to $25 each for 11th to 20th place. The junior angler who catches the heaviest fish will receive a trophy. There are also two $25 door prizes.

Tickets, available at local bait shops throughout the Valley or by mail from Partyka, are $10 per angler. Proceeds from the derby support local charities for special needs children, including Jericho House.

Last year, Partyka said the event raised about $2,000, which the derby committee distributed to charities and to individual special needs families who had applied for derby grants.

"All the proceeds go to the special needs kids, every penny. I make sure of it," he said.

Those who don't fish, but would still like to support the derby, can purchase a derby hat for $7 or a special Catfish Derby T-shirt for $11. The shirt entitles the wearer to attend a post-derby party at Post #351 on Sept. 18 featuring a free hot buffet, music, beer, door prizes donated by local merchants, and more.

"It's all free ... there are 100 prizes and 100 seats in the hall. Everyone's a winner," Partyka said.

Originally founded in 1979 -- "we skipped a year," Partyka said -- the Catfish Derby was an outgrowth of recreation and entertainment work Post #351 had been doing with residents at the Belchertown and Monson state schools.

"I was commander of the post at the time," Partyka recalled. "[The kids' reactions] touched us so much, we wanted to do more."

For more information about the 30th annual Catfish Derby, visit www.post351catfishderby.com. For tickets, call Partyka at 533-7535 or e-mail him directly at catfishman351@yahoo.com.