The reel deal

SUBMITTED PHOTO
Optimist youth fishing tournament

Repeated weather delays cut into the turnout for Saturday’s Maryville Optimist Club Kids Fishing Tournament at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, which is usually held over July 4 weekend. But apparently the fish didn’t care and were biting anyway. About 30 youngsters and their families turned out for the event, which produced a good catch consisting of bass, bluegill, crappie and this remarkable 25.5-inch-long channel catfish reeled in by Sawyer Husing, Maryville, who won the “biggest fish” award in the age 0-9 division. Other 0-9 winners were smallest fish, Ryker Hackett, Maryville, and most fish, Ty Moyer, Maryville. Winners in the 10-15 age group included smallest fish, Kysin Hazelwood, St. Joseph; biggest fish, Claire Nickerson, Maryville; and most fish, Jacob Hilsabeck, Glenwood, Iowa.