NEW LEXINGTON, OH — On Saturday June 15, 2024, one of the most fun days this side of a disappearing bobber will return to Perry County when the sixth annual Hooked on Fishing… Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) Youth Fishing Derby takes place at the Perry County Gun Club Lake. The lake is located at 4957 Township Road 149 New Lexington.
Located across from the Perry County Country Club, the lake will be stocked by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. This event is sponsored by the Perry County Sheriff’s Office with a tremendous assist from area businesses. Lunch is provided courtesy of Sheriff William R. Barker who will be manning the grill. Registration for the event will be from 7:30 am to 10 am on the day of the derby.
The event is free and open to the public. Every young angler will receive a free HOFNOD t-shirt at the registration table.
“We have used a local school’s colors for the t-shirts every year,” said Sandy Leckrone of the Sheriff’s office. “This year we are featuring the colors of the Miller School district.”
Every child must be accompanied by an adult, but the adults may only assist their young anglers. For this event, adults assisting children will not be required to have a valid Ohio fishing license.
Prizes will be awarded in four age categories. The youngest group will be 5 and under kids. From that point the age groups are as follows: 6-9; 10-13; and 14-17. In addition to a basket full of fishing tackle and other gifts, each champion will receive a plaque for the biggest fish in their age bracket.
Lt. Brandon Forester has been the point man for Sheriff Barker since this program started, but the lieutenant is quick to share the credit for this successful event.
“We couldn’t do this day without the donations from area businesses and individuals,” stressed Lt. Forester. One of the biggest donations for the day comes from Perry County Transit who covers the cost of all those free t-shirts.
Six years ago, it took a major effort from crews of Kent Cannon’s County Engineers Office just to clear away shoreline brush and briars that allowed the young anglers access to the water. The improvements to the dam and expansion of the lake by Perry County Soil & Water more than doubled the safe access to the water’s edge.
Forester also made sure to credit the person he believes is the main reason this youth fishing event takes place.
“We never could have had this day without Sheriff Barker,” stated Forester. “He has made this event a priority from day one.”
On that day one of the HOFNOD event, 168 kids reported for fishing fun. By last year’s youth fishing derby, that number had grown to 400 youngsters. Perry County may not have much when it comes to material wealth, but when it comes to supporting each other, this county gives everything it has. The HOFNOD Youth Fishing Derby is a classic example of Perry County citizens stepping up for the youth of our community.
A comment Sheriff Barker made six years ago as the first youth fishing derby was nearing its last cast is as true today as it was when he told me…
“We can’t arrest ourselves out of the drug problem.”
All the fun of fishing is in the catching and there will be plenty of that going on June 15th at the Perry County Gun Club Lake. The catch may be a catfish or a bluegill, or perhaps a t-shirt and a hot dog, but only if you bring a young angler to the sixth annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs Youth Fishing Derby.