The fishing in the James River was perhaps the best it’s ever been for the Botetourt Children’s Fishing Carnival Saturday on the Town Park in Buchanan.

Dozens of youngsters reeled in dozens of fish from the riverbank and kept the scoring tent busy measuring and keeping count. One youth reportedly had 22 fish under the tape measure, while many others had multiple catches as well.

In all, 394 kids manned fishing poles and enjoyed other activities sponsored by the Botetourt Recreation Maintenance Department and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

According to Botetourt Parks officials, a total of 859 adults and children attended. Of those, 177 were 6 and under and eligible to fish in the “trout tanks” and 217 were 7-15 year olds and fished in the river.

Two popular actiivites for the kids attending the Children’s Fishing Carnival was the birdhouse station and the Petting Zoo . They were among the many activities besides fishing that were available.

The prize winners were:

Grand Prize Drawings

6 and under – Chandler Orange
7-15 years old – Chloe Underwood

Boating Basics

7-9 years old – 1st – Kyleigh Napier, 2nd – Lola Zubke
10-12 years old – 1st Silas Miller, 2nd – Nolan Medley
13-15 years old – 1st David Smith , 2nd – Owen Bankert

Largest Trout Competition – 6 and under Trout Tanks

1st – Klayton Akers
2nd – Noah Keesee

Largest Fish from River

6 and under: 1st – Noah Underwood, 2nd – Holly Weddell
7-15: 1st – Mitchell Snare, 2nd – Mason Harlow
Team: 1st – Team Grimes, 2nd – Team Collins

Casting Contest

7-9 years old: 1st – Caden Wright, 2nd – Colt Stewart, 3rd – Emmett Thomasson
10-12 years old: 1st Ryan Aaron, 2nd – TJ Piluso, 3rd – Lindsey Orange
13-15 years old: Logan Campbell, 2nd – Cameron Orange, 3rd Darian Garrison

Goldfish Eating Contest

6 and under – Colt Stewart
7-15 years old – Monica Foley

River Clean up

8 and under
1st – Meredith Allen
2nd – Jeramiah Mundy

9 to 15

1st – Olivia Eubank
2nd – Ryan Aaron
Worms in the Dirt – Alyssa Hight
NWTF Lantern – Charlie Stewart
NWTF Hat – Evan Joyce
Shentel 6 and under giveaway – Cayden Wood
Shentel 7 – 15-year-old giveaway – Hunter Mundy
Trout Unlimited Fly Rod – Susan Palmer
Orvis Fly Rod – Lacey Noel
Natural Bridge Zoo 4 pack passes – Addison Kelley

Recreation Department organizer Angie Crawford thanked the many who helped. “I would like to thank everyone as this is truly a community event and we are blessed to have this event in Botetourt County,” she said while crediting the sponsors and contributors who make this event possible. “I truly hope I don’t leave anyone off of the list but if so, I truly appreciate you.”

Sponsors and contributors include:

Bank of Botetourt, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Botetourt Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF, Boblett’s Plumbing, American Legion Post 240, Arcadia Shell, Camp Eagle, Country Breeze HVAC, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Shentel, Camp Bethel, Twin River Outfitters, Buchanan Fire Department, Va. Bear Hunters Association, Blue Ridge Farm Equipment, H&H Outdoors, Austin Electric, Sandra’s Marking Company, Natural Bridge Zoo, Lil’ Critters Petting Zoo, Muddy Squirrel, Trout Unlimited, Dead Drift Outfitters, Botetourt Funeral Home, Tidy Services, Mountain View Screenprinting, Town of Buchanan, North Star, Orvis, Virginia Wildlife eStore Grant Program, Reddy Ice, Buchanan Moose Lodge, Botetourt Recreation Department Maintenance staff and all of the volunteers.