Deep River Parks and Recreation recently held the 30th annual Sonny Stebbins Fishing Derby at Plattwood Park in Deep River. To mark this special anniversary, First Selectman Richard Smith, along with Parks & Recreation members, presented a plaque to the Stebbins family to show the town’s gratitude for its continued support of this favorite town event. The derby was first named after Stebbins, a Deep River native who loved to fish and who enjoyed the town and its lovely parks in 1985. It is always held the second Saturday in May.

A light fog covered the pond, eventually giving way to a humid sunny morning as dozens of anglers cast their line in hopes of catching a prized rainbow trout. Prizes were awarded for largest catch of the day and in three separate age categories as follows: Overall winner for the biggest rainbow trout, measuring 14 ½ inches, went to Griffin Smith, in the 12- to 15 year-old division. Besides winning a new fishing pole and tackle box, Smith’s name will be engraved on the Fishing Derby Plaque located at Deep River Elementary School.

Age 12-15 Winners: Griffin Smith (first prize, 14 ½ inch trout); Allie Champion (second prize, 14 inch trout); David Uphold (third prize, 13 ¾ inch trout); and Dale Robinson (fourth prize, 13 ½ inch trout).

Age 9-11 Winners: Race Greenawalt (first prize, 8 inch trout); no second and third prize winners.

Ages 5-8 Winners: Joanna Petrone (first prize, 10 ½ inch trout); no second and third prize winners.