Neal Taylor Nature Center Helped with Cachuma Trout Derby Turnout

Even with Cachuma Lake down due to the drought, interest in catching prize winning fish was up, over the weekend for the annual Neal Taylor Nature Center fundraiser.

Over $5200. in prizes and merchandise were awarded in several categories and in different age groups.

The largest trout weighed in at 9.82 pounds and measured 25 inches. It was caught by Richard Flores of Santa Barbara. Others winners came from throughout the county, and many children were given awards for their catches.

The Nature Center is visited by thousands each year, especially school children who learn about the fish and animal life around the lake. There’s also information about the Santa Ynez Valley history and maps of Cachuma dating back to the 1950’s.

The complete results are listed below:

Big Winners!

Neal Taylor Nature Center’s

20th Annual Trout Derby

$5200.00+in Cash Prizes

Over to $33,000 was raised for the Nature Center

Over $15,000 in Merchandise Prizes Awarded

Over 400 men, women and children registered

Top Prize Winners

$599 Heaviest Trout Caught
Richard Flores from Santa Barbara
Weight – 9.82lbs and Length – 25-1/8″

$599 Heaviest Bass Caught
Jared Rossman from Santa Ynez
Weight – 3.24lbs and Length – 17.5″

$599 Heaviest Sunfish Caught
Junne Tuando
Weight – 1.10 lbs. and Length – 11-1/4″

$599 Heaviest Crappie Caught
Doug Chessmore from Santa Barbara
Weight -1.90lbs and Length – 15″

$599 Heaviest Cat Fish Caught
James McCall from Santa Maria
Weight – 3.68 lbs. and Length – 22.5″

$300 2nd Heaviest Trout Caught
Joseph Vega from Santa Barbara
Weight – 7.96lbs and Length – 24″

$300 2nd Heaviest Bass Caught
Andrew DeLarge
Weight – 3.1 lbs. and Length – 18″

$300 2nd Heaviest Sunfish Caught
Brian Stengel from San Bernadino
Weight – .72 lbs.
Length – 10-1/2″

$300 2nd Heaviest Crappie Caught
Jared Rossman from Santa Ynez
Weight – 1.88 lbs. and Length – 15″

$300 2nd Heaviest Cat Fish Caught
Bailey West from Lompoc
Weight – 3.62 and Length – 22″

Other Top Prizes:

$100 for Heaviest Carp Caught
Wayne West from Santa Barbara
Weight – 9.74 and Length – 28″

$50 for 2nd Heaviest Carp Caught
Bryan Belluz from Lompoc
Weight – 9.16 lbs. and Length – 28.5″

$100 THE Neal Taylor “Young Angler Award”
First Catch by an angler 15 years or younger on
$50 Saturday Winner:
Daniel Vega from Santa Barbara – Age 9
$50 Sunday Winner:
Joseph Velasquez – Age 14

$100 Visit the Nature Center Raffle
Winner: David Vargas

$75 Heaviest Fish caught by Boy 11-15 yrs.
Kai Fowler from Ventura
Weight – 2.74 lbs. and Length – 18″

$25 2nd Heaviest Fish caught by Boy 11-15 yrs.
David Vargas
Weight – 2.38 lbs. and Length – 16.75″

$50 The Dutch Wilson Prize (the fish caught by the oldest angler)
Winner: Raymond Chaver, Sr. – Age 82

$25 for Highest Tagged Trout from a prior year
Winner: Alberto Valdez
Tag #5925

$25 each to 5 kids 10 yrs. & under for Heaviest Fish Caught
Winners:
#1 Atlas Waterfall – Age 8
#2 Brayden Millan – Age 10
#3 Brooke Tosti – Age 10 from Santa Maria
#4 Colin Banta – Age 10 from Solvang
#5 Claycen Cooper – Age 4 from Los Alamos

Rod & Reel to top 10 kids 10 yrs. and under for Heaviest Fish Caught
#1 Atlas Waterfall – Age 8
#2 Brayden Millan – Age 10
#3 Brooke Tosti – Age 10 from Santa Maria
#4 Colin Banta – Age 10 from Solvang
#5 Claycen Cooper – Age 4 from Los Alamos
#6 Grace Openshaw – Age 8 from Orcutt
#7 Liam Witherell – Age 9 from Santa Barbara
#8 Daniel Vega – Age 9 from Santa Barbara
#9 Brandon Lopez – Age 8
#10 Adrian Aguiniga – Age 10

Neal Taylor Nature Center’s
20th Annual Fish Derby

The Derby fishing began at 6 a.m. on April 18, 2015 and ended at 12 noon on April 19, 2015.
405 contestants of all ages fished Cachuma Lake during the tournament hours and were also able to fish from shore at any time during the Derby including Saturday night. Neal Taylor’s son in law Tim Burmood fired off the flare at the harbor to start the Derby at 6 a.m. on Saturday and end the Derby on Sunday at 12noon.

This year’s event was attended by anglers of all ages with 405 registered to fish in the Derby and many others along for a glorious weekend of perfect weather for camping and fun at Cachuma Lake & the Nature Center.

The contest was held on Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April 19 with over 400 kids and families registered! The weather was perfect and lots of BIG fish were caught making for many happy anglers of all ages.

The Fish Derby is a benefit fund raiser for the Neal Taylor Nature Center which is located at Cachuma Lake and offers programs and exhibits on the Santa Ynez River Watershed.

Approximately 70 volunteers planned and operated the derby, raffle and children’s activities with over $25,000 in cash sponsorship and $15,000 in merchandise sponsorship.

The following children each won $25 and a rod and reel for the heaviest fish in the category of children ten years old and younger:
#1 Atlas Waterfall – Age 8
#2 Brayden Millan – Age 10
#3 Brooke Tosti – Age 10 from Santa Maria
#4 Colin Banta – Age 10 from Solvang
#5 Claycen Cooper – Age 4 from Los Alamos

The following five each won a rod/reed combo:
Grace Openshaw – Age 8 from Orcutt
Liam Witherell – Age 9 from Santa Barbara
Daniel Vega – Age 9 from Santa Barbara
Brandon Lopez – Age 8
Adrian Aguiniga – Age 10
The Fish Derby is the major fundraiser for the Neal Taylor Nature Center which is a non-profit organization that operates the Nature Center

FISH DERBY SPONSORS

A Fundraising Benefit for the
Neal Taylor Nature Center
a Nonprofit Organization, and in Cooperation with Cachuma Lake Recreation Area

Major Derby Sponsors

Platinum – $20,000
Charlie Alva

In memory of
Vera Ralston Alva

Silver (Osprey) – $1,500
Julia Wilkerson

Royal Coachman – $1,000
Rocky Mountain Recreation Co.

Derby Sponsor – $500
MarBorg Industries, Inc.
Community West Bank
Wilson Printing
Knight Broadcasting, Inc.

Thank you to our volunteers and many generous donors!

www.TroutDerby.org

About the Neal Taylor Nature Center

Neal Taylor Nature Center (NTNC) is located within Cachuma Recreational Area in a picturesque old ranch house. Developed and operated by a corps of committed volunteers, it offers exhibits on the local valley and mountain environment for all ages, emphasizing hands-on exhibits for children of all ages

Nature Center & Gift Store Hours
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sundays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Nature Center Admission: Free
(There is a $10.00 County Park Admission Fee per vehicle)