Spring Fishing Derby - 1972

As most people in Sumas are aware, last weekend, the Sumas American Legion held the 26th Annual Howard Bowen Memorial Fishing Derby on June 6th.  I was unable to attend as I was working, however, I am hearing that it was a success.  In previous years, the derby was held at the park down on Johnson Creek.  The city workers would place barriers across the creek on each side of the park under the bridges.  The fish would be released into the contained area for the children's fishing derby.  When the derby was over the barriers were removed.  Any surviving fish were free to swim away. 

This year however the Fish and Wildlife officials determined that the creekside park was a sensitive habitat of an endangered frog.  So in order to protect the habitat the fishing derby was cancelled in the park after many years.  After much debate and consternation it was decided to clean up a pond over by the baseball field on the Hovel Road and the festivities were up and running again .

 

picture 1

 

 

Official poster advertising this year's fishing derby.

 

Although the poster announces it to be the 26th Annual Fishing Derby in actual fact  the Derby has been part of our community for much longer.  The following pictures  were taken at the Spring Fishing Derby in 1972.  I was either 11 or 12 years old and proudly walked around the Fishing Derby with my camera 43 years ago snapping shots of friends and community members. 

 

Picture 2

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12. 

This is facing east towards Sumas Avenue where the bridge crosses Johnson Creek.  A happy crowd of young people hoping to catch the prized fish.  Although most of the time was spent untangling each others fishing lines.

 

Picture 3

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

This unidentified boy was the first person to catch a fish at the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby.

 

Picture 4

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.



Tony Ehlers removing his catch from the hook.

 

Picture 5

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

An unidentified  boy with his catch.

 

Picture 6

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Stacy Waddell showing off her fish.

 

Picture 7

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

A representative of the Sumas American Legion Post, LeRoy Witman.  The Sumas Legion sponsored the yearly fishing derby.

 

Picture 8

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.





A beloved school teacher, LaVoun Hoffman  enjoying the festivities at the fishing derby.

 

Picture 9

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Harold Odergaard (school teacher and member of the American Legion) at the Spring Fishing Derby, 1972.

Picture 10

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Lucy LaClair and Stacy Waddell at the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby.

 

Picture 11

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.



Burl and LaVelle Beane at the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby.

 

Picture 12

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Venus Ruiz ready to catch fish at the 1972 Spring fishing Derby in Sumas, Washington!

 

Picture 13

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

Spectators of the 1972 Spring Fishing Derby on the Sumas Avenue bridge over Johnson Creek.

 

Picture 14

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

I was amazed when  I was looking through the pictures above.  The park looks a bit untidy compared to the manicure grass today.  I don't remember it being that way. 

 



Picture 15













 

Photograph taken by Deborah (Beane) Morgan at the age of 12.

The fishing derby at the creekside park next to Johnson Creek in Sumas, WA.  The building at the right is no longer there.