Derby Winners Announced

It wasn’t exactly ideal conditions for fishing however it never is on the opening day of the Trout Season in the High Country. Several inches of snow and cold temperatures greeted those brave enough to test the waters in and around Blowing Rock during the annual Opening Weekend Trout Derby hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.
Fans and friends even braved the cold to enjoy a hot meal at the emergency services complex on Friday night to officially open the Derby weekend and the following morning, with snow on the ground, anglers hit their favorite stream or lake in the hopes of taking home a trophy or prize in the Derby.
The big Derby winner in 2007 was Lyle Lowenberg, who took first place for the largest trout caught in the Men’s Division, and the biggest fish of the Derby. His 19 3/8 inch rainbow came from Price Lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Taking second in the division was Jack Tripley and his 18 7/8 inch rainbow from Middle Fork Creek. William Elder took third with a 17 5/8 inch brown trout, also from Middle Fork.
In the Women’s Division it was Sara Johnson who was the class of the Derby, her 16 3/4 inch brown from middle Fork earning her the top finish. Second went to Alice Davis, while Keri Triplett and her 9 5/8 inch brook trout from Dutch Creek took third.
T.J. Davis took top honors in the Boy’s Division turning in a 13 3/8 inch brook trout. Second went to Thomas Davis with a 12 inch brook and third to Matthew Voisey for his 11 7/8 inch brown trout.
Tammy Rich and her 17 5/8 inch rainbow trout took the trophy for the biggest fish in the Small Fry Division. Second went to Alison Oberle with a 16 3/8 inch brook and third to Josh Bryan for his 15 1/2 inch brook.
$100 cash prizes for the largest fish caught in three trout species saw Lyle Lowenberg for the biggest rainbow, William Elder for the biggest brown, and Alison Oberle for the biggest brook trout.
Other prize winners were Josh Bryan who caught and registered the first fish on Saturday morning at 7:16 a.m. and Trent Scruggs who caught and registered the smallest legal fish, a 7 3/8 inch brook.
Sponsors of the Derby this year include the Chamber of Commerce, Chetola Resort, Jenkins Realtors, and M. Prints. Prize donors included Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Wachovia, Green Park Inn. United Community Bank, Blowing Rock B.P., Speckled Trout Cafe, Cabin Fever, Parkway Cafe, Sunset Tees & Hattery, Canyon’s Restaurant, Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Woodland’s Restaurant, Tanger - Shoppes on the Parkway, Hemlock Inn and Chetola Resort.