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An Intergenerational, Learn-to-Fish Event

Buddies & Bobbers Fishing Derby

The 5th annual Buddies & Bobbers 'learn-to-fish' fishing derby is taking place on May 10, 2025 (8 am) at Walton Pond, located at Winding Trails in Farmington, Connecticut. 

 
This unique, intergenerational event is guaranteed to be a memory-filled, health-boosting, fun morning for everyone involved. Don't miss out! 

2025 Tribute Gift Opportunity

Make a Tribute Gift in Honor of a Special Angler

Honor a special angler in your life by making a gift of $50 or more in their name.


Your gift will serve as a lasting tribute and will help connect older adult anglers with youth to teach them how to fish.


  We'll display that person's name on the special Buddy Tribute wreath during the Buddies & Bobbers fishing derby. 

And, we'll send a personalized tribute card to the person or family indicated, notifying them of your thoughtful donation, but not revealing the amount. 


You will receive an acknowledgment for your donation.

(Tribute gifts made by May 1, 2025 will be displayed at the 2025 derby; tribute gifts made May 2, 2025-May 1, 2026 will be displayed at the 2026 derby.)

Make Your Tribute Gift Now

How to Participate

Experienced anglers age 40+

Apply to be an adult angler mentor (or event management volunteer). 

No fishing license is required. 

Complete adult volunteer application

Youth ages 6-12

Note that this event is focused on introducing youth to the sport of fishing. 

Youth who have never fished are welcome to attend. 

Thank you for your understanding as we strive to reach the most children possible and introduce them to the sport. 

Eff. 4/23, registration is full. You may register for the wait-list.

During our Buddies & Bobbers Fishing Derby, youth ages 6-12 with no fishing experience (who must be accompanied by a parent/guardian) will be partnered with experienced adult anglers. These men and women volunteers will introduce the youth to the sport of fishing and teach them the fundamental fishing skills they will need during the derby. The intergenerational partnered 'teams' will then fish and compete for prizes.


After arrival and check-in at 8-8:15 am, the morning will begin with everyone gathering for a continental breakfast outside Nature's Porch on Walton Pond at Winding Trails. During breakfast, the youth will be introduced to their older adult mentors and provided with their fishing equipment for the derby.** (Youth are welcome to bring their own fishing pole if they have one.) 


As a group, they will learn the basics of fishing including how to 'set' up and cast a fishing rod, bait a hook, reel in a fish, and identify the types of fish they might catch during the derby. By 9:15 am, the partnered teams will have selected and set up their desired on-shore fishing location along Walton Pond. The derby will then begin. 


For the next 2 hours, the adult anglers will teach their youth partners how to fish, and assist them as they hopefully catch their first fish, all while competing against the other teams in the derby. All fish caught will be measured, identified, and recorded. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish, the smallest fish!, and most fish caught. We will also be awarding a prize to the person who wears the most creative fishing-themed hat!


At 11:30 am, the teams will reconvene under the pavilion for lunch and the awarding of prizes. All youth will go home with a 'special' prize! And each youth will leave the derby having:

  • experienced the joy of fishing
  • learned new skills and a new 'sport'
  • enjoyed time outside in the fresh air
  • met a new friend, and
  • had a whole lot of fun. 


**Worms will be provided and are the only permitted bait for the derby.


Please note that we are capping attendance for this derby at 20 youth and 20 adult angler mentors. Pre-registration is required for everyone. 


Note that this event is focused on introducing youth to the sport of fishing. Youth who have never fished are welcome to attend. Thank you for your understanding as we strive to reach the most children possible and introduce them to the sport. 

This program was invaluable and so well organized. It was such a joy to see our children learning and experiencing fishing with mentors.


Parents of 2 youth participants

Adult Volunteers: Click link to apply!

Youth Registration

Note that this event is focused on introducing youth to the sport of fishing. 

In order to reach the most children possible, we are limiting youth attendance to one time only. Thank you for your understanding.

Registration is now full. You may click link below to register for the wait-list.

2025 Official Event Photographer

John Straub

Explore John's work

2025 Gold Sponsors

2025 Buddy Sponsors

2025 Bobber Sponsors & Friends of the Derby

Capturing Derby Moments

    © 2024 | For All Ages, Inc., PO Box 61, Simsbury CT 06070 | A US 501(c)(3) public charity, Federal EIN 83-4624076.

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