Local children enjoy free day of fishing, fun, and prizes at Atascadero Lake
ATASCADERO — On Saturday, April 12, The Optimist Clubs of Paso Robles and Atascadero held their annual Optimist Kid’s Fishing Derby at Atascadero Lake. Local kids, all under the age of 15 years old, arrived with their parents in hopes of landing the “Big One” and taking home the grand prize, chosen from a large selection of new fishing rods and reels, tackle boxes, and assorted fishing tackle.
“It was a beautiful day. Kids had a great time. I think the kids caught 69 fish,” Optomist Club President Jerry Tanimoto told Atascadero News.
This is the second year the fishing derby has been held at Atascadero Lake Park, moving from its original Santa Margarita Lake location. Tanimoto noted that the new location in town makes the event more accessible, and the nearby play structures are another fun bonus to the day.
“[The new location] worked out really nice,” Tanimoto added.
The derby was initiated over 15 years ago by dedicated Optimist Club member Delbert (Del) Bishop, who passed away earlier this year. Bishop was an early member of the Paso Robles Optimist Club and later became the District Governor of the Pacific Southwest District of the Optimist Club.
Photos by Rick Evans/ATN
“It’s [the derby has] always been free for kids and their families,” Tanimoto said. “We provide the fishing poles and the bait and provide prizes. We provide the food, we feed them all. We barbecue hot dogs and water and we have chips and cookies and fruit. It was fun. Everybody enjoyed it.”
The Atascadero and Paso Robles chapters of the Optimist Clubs join forces each year to put on several community events. This year, the Atascadero chapter is celebrating 25 years of good service to the community.
“Our model for Optimists is bringing out the best in kids. And I think that’s what we do when we have the fishing derby, the kids love it,” said Tanimoto, who is also celebrating being an Optimist Club member for 25 years. “For a lot of kids who’ve never gone fishing, they caught their first fish, and they were excited about it,”
The clubs will be hosting their annual Optimist Golf Tournament (date pending) and then the 3rd Annual Optimist Festival of Trees at the Atascadero Lake Pavilion in Atascadero in November. Proceeds from these events go towards scholarships for local students who are going to a junior college or a trade school.
The event is provided free of charge by the Optimist Clubs of Paso Robles and Atascadero, with some assistance from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Optimist Clubs of Paso Robles and Atascadero are the local chapters of Optimist International, a service organization started in 1919 that is dedicated to improving the lives of youth in the community. The clubs provide scholarships to high school seniors, supports all types of youth activities, holds a Free Kid’s Fishing Derby twice a year, and donates backpacks for CPS kids in San Luis Obispo County.
If anyone is interested in participating or helping with this or other events sponsored by the clubs, or wishes more information on joining the clubs, please contact Chuck Sawyer at (805) 591-9590. The Paso Robles Club holds dinner meetings on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. Locations are variable. The Atascadero Club holds meetings the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Outlaws Bar and Grill.
