(December 14, 2009 - San Bernardino, CA) Cold, wet rainy weather did not hamper nearly 370 fishermen from coming to Cucamonga-GuastiRegionalPark last Saturday to compete in the first trout derby of the season. Sponsored by the San Bernardino County Regional Parks, the trout derbies prove to be an angler's dream for casting, catching and winning.

Battling cold temperatures and steady rain, the fishermen tried their luck at competing in a derby that would have fifty of them walking off with a catch and a valuable prize. The fish did not like the weather any better than the anglers making the hunt for trophy-sized trout a little harder than usual. The fish were active but the larger fish were more content to stay further below, letting the "lighter weights" come up for the bite.

It took Mike Nguyen of Rancho Cucamonga almost five hours into the derby before he pulled his 11 lb., 11 oz. trout out of the water to hook first place in the derby. His lucky charm was a green powerbait. Second place winner was Kevin Hixson of Fontana with a 2 lb., 6 oz. catch; and in third place, a 2 lb. 4 oz. catch by Alix Solis of Ontario. Nugyen's first place prize was a $500 gift card from Turner's Outdoorsman. Hixon was awarded a Bose docking station and Solis won a tent and sleeping bags from Camping World.

The next trout derby is scheduled for Saturday, January 9th at YucaipaRegionalPark. With luck, weather conditions will be more conducive to good fishing improving the luck of the anglers to reel in a trophy-sized catch. More information on the derbies and San Bernardino County Regional Parks may be found at www.county-parks.com