Successful Fishing Derby in Fort Benton

The 2010 Spring Classic Fishing Derby was held May 21 – 23 in Fort Benton, Montana. The derby was a fund raiser for Fort Benton’s rural fire department.

To begin with, records were set just with registration. A total of 116 people registered for the weekend derby. Everyone received a fishing pole, 12 mountain bikes were given to kids and many other great prizes were awarded throughout the event.

Now, let’s talk fish!

The largest fish was a buffalo carp tipping the scale at 19 pounds, caught by the Axtman family. I’d like say that’s one pretty fish, but I’m going to just say, wow, what a big fish!

A new state record was set for Shovelnose Sturgeon. Caught by Chad Beck, this one weighed in at 14.3 pounds.

Dustin Lehman reeled in a 13 pound catfish.

It takes many local sponsors to put on a derby like this and the list reads like a Fort Benton phone book. It’s amazing to see the participation in the Spring Classic Fishing Derby, heartwarming to see kids involved in affordable outdoor recreation, and notable to realize that many businesses joined forces to create a weekend of fishing in Fort Benton. Congrats to all involved!