Annual Fishing Derby Set Postponed to April 27 at Mill Pond [UPDATED]

Update Thursday April 18

Due to expected poor weather, the Fishing Derby has been postponed to Saturday, April 27 at Mill Pond. Original Article

One of New Canaan’s most unique and beloved community events is set for Saturday morning. 

Registration for the New Canaan Annual Fishing Derby will start at 8 a.m. at Mill Pond, with the derby running 8:30 to 11 a.m., organizers say. Held in memory of George Cogswell, a former New Canaan Police officer, the free Fishing Derby has been held each year—primarily at Mill Pond—since the 1980s. “It’s been going on for so many years, people just know about it and it’s something kids do with their dad,” said Jenny Esposito, president of the Kiwanis Club of New Canaan, an event sponsor. “It brings the townies together and it’s just really sweet, with the police, the firemen, the town, the Chamber.”

The pond will be stocked with 370 pounds of rainbow trout and prizes are awarded for participants 15 and younger in categories such as first boy and first girl to catch a fish, largest fish caught and smallest fish caught.

Annual Fishing Derby Set for Saturday at Mill Pond

New Canaan’s young anglers will descend on Mill Pond Saturday morning for one of the town’s most cherished community traditions—the annual fishing derby. Registration will start at 8 a.m. for the popular free event—a competition for special prizes—and fishing will start at 8:30 a.m. The fishing derby is open to kids 15 and younger, and 10-and-unders must be accompanied by an adult.

“We are always so thrilled to see so many families come out together to take advantage of such a beloved event,” said Tucker Murphy, president of the Kiwanis Club of New Canaan. “We really want to thank the Police Benevolent Association. They really stepped to help pay for the re-stocking. Without the help of police, fire and DPW, this event would not happen.

Fishing Derby at Mill Pond Scheduled for Saturday Morning

New Canaan’s young anglers will descend on Mill Pond Saturday morning for one of the town’s most cherished community traditions—the annual fishing derby. Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. for the popular event—a competition for special prizes—and fishing will start at 9 a.m. The fishing derby is open to kids 15 and younger, and 10-and-unders must be accompanied by an adult.

“Personally, it is one of my favorite events because it seems to attract a lot of New Canaan families,” said Tucker Murphy, president of the Kiwanis Club of New Canaan. “It’s a lot of people that we don’t see on a regular basis that come out for it, and I love that. I love to see these kids with all of their little lines, all ready to go, we are so grateful to all of our sponsors. At 9 a.m. they’ll drop the lines in.

Mill Pond To Get Dredge After April 16 Fishing Derby

Town officials this week approved funds to dredge Mill Pond in the weeks following a popular annual event there that long has marked the start of spring for many New Canaanites: the fishing derby. Called the ‘George Cogswell Memorial Fishing Derby’ after a former New Canaan Police officer, this year’s event will be held 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 (registration starts at 8:30 a.m. on site). Sponsored by the New Canaan Recreation Department with assistance from the Department of Public Works and local merchants, the derby sees Mill Pond stocked with hundreds of pounds of rainbow trout, drawing hordes of fishing rod-toting to the water’s edge. It’s open to children ages 15 and younger—ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult—and the budding sportsmen compete for special prizes awarded in several categories such the first boy and first girl to catch a fish, and the largest fish caught. Town officials are eyeing a June date for the regular, biennial maintenance dredging of Mill Pond, according to Tiger Mann, assistant director of DPW.

Fishing Derby Set for Saturday, April 18; Financial Support Needed for Popular Event

Organizers have set Saturday, April 18 as the date for one of New Canaan’s most cherished annual, kid-friendly and accessible events. The George Cogswell Memorial Fishing Derby at Mill Pond will run 9 to 11 a.m., and its organizers are seeking support from the community to ensure it continues. Held at Mill Pond since it was launched in the 1970s, the event sees the pond stocked with trout and prizes awarded to the boy and girl who catch the biggest fish. The derby’s upper age limit is 15 and entry is free. Its Fish Management Fund is running out and donations are needed, said Tiger Mann, assistant director of the Department of Public Works, which joins local merchants in helping the Recreation Department sponsor the event.