Gilford police host kids fishing derby, emphasizing water safety

GILFORD — Despite the rain, dozens of families came out to Gunstock Mountain Resort on Saturday to take part in an annual fishing derby organized by the Gilford Police Department.

Around 150 kids were in attendance at the free-to-compete Officer Kainen M. Flynn Memorial Fishing Derby at a pond near Gunstock’s Historic Lodge. State and local law enforcement officers emphasized the importance of water safety and the wearing of personal flotation devices. 

Flynn, an officer who served with the Gilford Police Department, died as the result of a drowning on Lake Winnisquam in Meredith when he was fishing in June 2003. A 1997 graduate of Newport High School, Flynn attended the New Hampshire Police Academy and graduated with the 127th class. He came to the Gilford department in October 2001. 

Since Flynn’s death, the Gilford Police Department has organized an annual fishing derby in his memory, except during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flynn was known for a passion for wildlife and the outdoors, and was an avid angler who previously served with the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol. He’d been heavily involved in youth outreach while serving the town.

While the fishing derby is free to enter, proceeds from a silent auction and food and beverage sales benefit the Gilford Police Relief Association, a nonprofit organization which exists to support local officers, local children and the broader community by funding grants and scholarships, making donations to area charities and sponsoring community events. The organization also provides financial support to officers and their families who find themselves in need. 

This year marked the 19th iteration of the event and attracted children who came from far and wide to bait their lines and hook hungry trout through the rainy morning. The derby has attracted as many as 300 kids in the past, Gilford Police Chief Kristian Kelley said Saturday morning.

“We’re not making money off of this,” Kelley said. “We do it to relate to the community, to provide something fun for the kids and to educate the children about the importance of being safe on the water.”

Flynn was not wearing a life jacket when he drowned, Kelley said, so local officers collaborated with Marine Patrol to emphasize the vital importance of wearing a personal flotation device for outdoorspeople of all ages. 

The inaugural derby was organized in 2004, just one year after Flynn’s death. 

“It’s a good opportunity to go out and to teach water safety,” Kelley said. “I think we’ve made a significant impact over 20 years.”

The competition itself is organized into four categories — three by age group and another to denote tagged fish caught in the pond. Police stock the pond with around 500 trout leading up to the event. 

Officer Richie Brewer of Meredith, who serves as president of the Gilford Police Relief Association, was hired by the town four years ago.

“We make donations, put on events like National Night Out,” Brewer said.

Around the pond, children of all ages sought out prime real estate to stake their claim as this year’s champion. Most of those kids seemed to be having a great time, undeterred by the rain. 

A 12-year-old named Tenley Alberico came from Pembroke to compete. She didn’t catch any fish, but said she had a great time regardless.

“I had fun,” she said. “It’s just relaxing.”

Marine Patrol Officer Casey Porter lorded over a set of personal watercraft trailed in on the back of an SUV. He stood stoic throughout the event, by his side a life-sized life jacket mascot named Zippit, animated by a fellow Marine Patrol officer.

“The goal of Zippit is to educate,” Porter said. “We try to educate the public on the importance of wearing a life jacket and being safe on the water.”

The derby kicked off around 8 a.m., and hundreds of community members remained by the time Kelley announced winners in each category around noon. Throughout the morning, children and their family members submitted their bids for items included in the silent auction. Plaques depicting regional sports heroes enshrined the likeness of former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Boston Red Sox hall of fame slugger David Ortiz appeared particularly popular. Images of Boston Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis were also big ticket items.

Finalists in each age group category left the derby with tackle boxes, new fishing rods and medals in tow. The tagged fish category winner received an adventure pass to Gunstock and the second-place finisher was awarded an inflatable kayak.

In the 0-7 age category, Jaylen Hammel, 4, took first place with an 11.1-inch trout he’d hooked earlier Saturday morning. Wesley Briggeman, 8, took the top spot among those aged 8-11 with a 10.25-inch trout. And Teddy Lewis, 14, won in the 12-15 year-old category with an 11-inch trout.

But it was Lacey Buskey, 12, who took home the adventure pass after bagging an 11.1-inch trout. Matt Hibbert, 15, won the inflatable kayak after placing a 10.7-inch trout onto the board in what would prove to be his final appearance at the derby.