Pagosa Springs Colorado
Gone Fishin': Locals of all ages turn out for Hatcher Lake fishing tournament

Dan Appenzeller | Posted 1/18/05

J.J. Amato, Ethan Brown and Carter Walsh enjoy some quality time at last weekend’s perch fishing tournament. Ethan took first place in the 11 and under category with 28 perch and Carter tied with Ethan’s brother Zach for third place with 17 perch caught. Photo: Dan Appenzeller

It was like a day at the beach. Sunny skies against the bright white snow made for a fantastic yellow perch fishing tournament last Saturday at Hatcher Lake in the Pagosa Lakes area west of town. With the perfect weather, all that was needed was for the perch to be hungry-- and hungry they were. Around 115 anglers including me, women and children from all over the community brought their augers and fishing rods for a shot at more than $700 in prize money.

Contest categories included largest perch and largest quantity of perch. Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place in each category. The entry fees for individuals 16 and over was $7. Kids under the age of 16 fished for free. With the huge overpopulation of perch in the Pagosa Lakes, PLPOA Property and Environment Manager Larry Lynch and tournament organizers have found a way to decrease the species, allowing the more sought after trout and bass numbers to increase.

The winner in the most perch caught category was Doug Burkholder with 180 perch; second place went to Ron Geers with 175 perch and third place went to Steve Paradill with 169 perch. In the largest by weight category, Joe Rivas Sr. took first place; second and third place was a tie between Gary Rowe and Don Tweet. First place winners received $150, second place $100 and third place winners received $50.

Winners in the kids’ categories received ice fishing rods, reels and other fishing-related tackle. In the 12 to 16 year old age group, the winners were Chris Moody with 61 perch, Brad Gore with 9 perch and Nicole Vincin with 8 perch. In the 11 and under category the winner were Ethan Brown with 28 perch, Dillon Martinez with 21 perch and the tie for third place went to Carter Walsh and Zach Brown with 17 perch apiece.

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