Rose Holland Trout Derby a great success

By Editor | October 8, 2025 |

Photo by Shari Harris
A new event at the Rose Holland Trout Derby this year was pony rides. These youngsters were just a few of the many who enjoyed this activity.

By Shari Harris, Publisher

The 62nd Annual Rose Holland Trout Derby, which raises funds for the American Heart Association, took place at Montauk State Park over the weekend, with activities beginning on Friday, October 3.

The Current River Cruisers kicked off the event with their annual car show. Forty-two vehicles were registered, with over 50 cars attending. The Montauk Choice award went to Robert Roach, from Lenox, who brought a 1969 Dodge Swinger. The longest distance driven to come to the show was 162 miles by Mike Moser, of Franklin, Mo. He drove a 1934 Ford truck. The car show raised $2,510.00 for the American Heart Association.

Also happening Friday evening was Nature Bingo with the Park Naturalist in the Campground Amphitheater.

Fishing wasn’t the only activity at the park on Saturday. A full day of events kept visitors busy. Health screenings by Texas County Memorial Hospital were offered from 9 a.m. to noon. A history walk with the Park Naturalist started at 10 a.m. The face painting booth in front of the lodge was a popular spot, and waxed hands were also offered. A bake sale, hot dogs and chili kept those attending well fed.

Kids loved the pony rides and inflatable bounce houses. They also enjoyed honking the horn of the Montauk Rural Fire Department fire truck.

A cornhole tournament started at 1 p.m., with 20 teams participating; it was sponsored by park staff. James VanKirk, of Licking, provided the entertainment for the evening with live music. For those that still had energy left, a night hike wrapped up the evening.

Derby fishing started at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and ended at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Fifty-four tagged fish were caught in the tournament. The Slippery Liz I trophy went to Sara Foster, and the Slippery Liz II trophy went to Caden Steinhorn, of Hazelwood. The Men’s Heaviest fish also went to Steinhorn, who caught a 6 lb. 1 oz. rainbow trout. Megan Fuhr, of Augusta, had the Women’s Heaviest fish with a 3 lb. 10 oz. rainbow trout. There were no brown trout caught.

Bentley Rawson took first for the Kids Heaviest Stringer, weighing in at 5 lb. 13 oz. Bentley Foster was second, with a stringer of 5 lb. 6 oz. Justin Fleener was next at 4 lb. 12 oz., followed by Emmett Stafford, at 4 lb. 7 oz.

Along with those awards, attendance prizes were given. The 54 tags that were turned in were drawn as well, with those fishermen and women allowed to choose a prize.

The goal for this year’s Rose Holland Trout Derby was to raise $15,000.00 for the American Heart Association. Organizers should be congratulated for a great success. Not only did they entertain guests at the park all weekend, they raised a total of $16,300.00, far exceeding their goal.