Free Kids Fishing Derby at Lake Cuyamaca
By Amber Ward

The 10th annual O.P. Ball Memorial Fishin' in the Pines Free Kids Derby will take place Saturday, Sept. 22 at Lake Cuyamaca.

Fishing begins at 6 a.m. and registration will begin at 8 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place in each age group and there will be a grand prize for the largest trout during the derby. To round out the event there will also be a free lunch (courtesy of the San Diego Anglers), live music, clowns, face painting and a free drawing, where kids will have a chance to win prizes like rods, reels, fishing trips and more.

Lake Cuyamaca probably would not exist without the planning and foresight of Orville P. Ball. The entire lake plan was first put together by Ball and his family foundation has become a major part of the annual fishing derby held at the lake each September.

O. P. Ball helped to develop the master plans for Lake Cuyamaca, Lake Morena and Sweetwater Reservoir. He is also credited with the "visionary experiment" of introducing a Florida-strain largemouth bass to San Diego County in 1959 that put local fishing on the map.

"It changed the entire world of bass fishing," says Jim Brown, Ball's successor as superintendent. The Florida-strain of largemouth bass lived longer and were much larger than the bass already found in San Diego's freshwater lakes. With their introduction, San Diego became a prime fishing destination, reviving the industry for the county.

The Fishin' in the Pines derby is free for kids, but there is a fee for adults if they fish. Prizes will be awarded in three division categories: Ages 4 to 7, 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. All fish have to be weighed in by 12:45 p.m. and prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m. The awards will be hosted by Capt. John Grabowski and Ed Zieralski of the All Outdoors Radio Network, "Talking Fishing, Hunting and a Whole Lot More" on KCBQ-AM 1170.

Lake Cuyamaca will be stocked prior to this event.