PHOTOS: 300-Plus Anglers Participate in Annual Fishing Derby at Mill Pond on Saturday

2023 Fishing Derby

Though she grew up in New Canaan, Kate Hovey Hornsby had never been to the annual George Cogswell Memorial Fishing Derby before Saturday.

“This is my first time,” the 1996 New Canaan High School graduate said from the bank of Mill Pond as her dad, Peter Hovey, and kids Axel and Walker cast their lines into the water nearby. “I think it’s really fun.”

The family joined more than 300 anglers who lined both banks of the pond on a comfortable, overcast morning for one of New Canaan’s best-loved community events. Named for a former New Canaan Police officer, the fishing derby is a collaboration of several town departments and nonprofit agencies that sees Mill Pond stocked with 200 brook trout, 200 rainbow trout and a handful of 22-inch trout.

Mose Saccary, superintendent of the town’s Highway Department, called the turnout “perfect.”

“We couldn’t handle a whole lot more but everybody seems comfortable,” he said. 

The fishing derby is “a complete group effort,” he added.

“Police Department, Fire Department, Highway Department, Rec Department, Chamber of Commerce,” Saccary said. “The whole town gets together for this. The sponsors. It’s just amazing.”

Millport Avenue was closed to vehicular traffic between East and Lakeview Avenues for the three-hour derby, where participants competed for several different prizes, including first girl and boy to catch a fish (see winners’ list below). Pole-toting children, teens, families and grownups lined both banks of the pond, and also fished from the bulkhead on the southern edge amid folding chairs, water bottles, baby strollers and animal companions. Police, Fire, Public Works and Recreation officials joined volunteers from the Kiwanis Club, including Sperry DeCew, Jenny Esposito, Beth Jones and Tucker Murphy in helping to run the derby.

New Canaan’s Bill Walbert, himself an experienced fisherman, emceed the event, encouraging the anglers over a PA system as the smoke from a grill wafted over Millport Avenue, where Paul Paris from New Canaan Butcher Shop prepared sliders for attendees, assisted by volunteers including Marty Skrelunas. 

Charlie Arestia said he came with his kids two years ago and came back because it was a fun event.

“We haven’t caught anything but we’re learning how to fish,” he said with a smile.

Winners (per event organizers):

• Biggest Fish, Boy—Giovanni Washburn (1 pound 8oz , 16 inches)
• Biggest Fish, Girl—Camilla Brenon (1 pound 6 oz , 14 inches)
• First Fish, Boy—Brian Gallagher
• First Fish, Girl—Sophie Alfaro