Derby volunteers Lourdes Valle and Skip Ayres pause for a picture.

OCEAN PARK — Forrest Cox raced with a rainbow trout raised above his head as he ran triumphantly toward the weigh-in station.

The trout was among hundreds reeled in — along with a crappie and a catfish — during the first annual Loomis Lake Fishing Derby last weekend in Ocean Park.

More than 1,000 trout, including some up to five pounds, were stocked in the lake by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in days leading up to the derby, with portions of the lake temporarily penned off with floating nets to keep the fish in accessible areas during the day of the event.

Fast fishing action

Prizes were awarded to those who caught the longest fish and highest cumulative weight with a five-fish limit. Ilwaco-based Pacific Salmon Charters provided a free bottom- or salmon-fishing trip to the grand-prize winner of each age group.

Fishing commenced at 7 a.m. following a pancake breakfast and continued until 11 a.m., with a lunch served afterward. A complimentary fish-cleaning station allowed participants to take home their catch.

About 70 youthful fishermen under age 14 participated, according to organizer Roger Taylor.

“We’ve been planning this for over a year,” said Taylor, who thanked the Sunset Sands Community Association for hosting the event and the Port of Peninsula for providing the floating docks in addition to Jack’s Country Store, Oakies and WDFW.

“It was beautiful and the kids had a fantastic time, they were just going crazy catching those fish. And that’s what it’s all about, the kids.”