(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — It was still dark when families started showing up. Some carried coffee, others gear. The kids? They were just excited to fish.
Welcome to the 2025 Simi Valley Fishing Derby.
Held early Saturday morning at Rancho Simi Park, this annual event brought together families, neighbors, and young anglers for a few hours of outdoor fun—casting lines, catching fish, and enjoying a hot breakfast.
The horn sounded at 6:30 a.m. That’s when the serious fishing started. Kids lined the pond, eyes locked on bobbers, waiting for a bite. Parents stood behind them, giving quiet tips and helping with tangled lines.
There were three age groups: 8 and under, 9 to 12, and 13 to 15. Prizes went to the kids who caught the heaviest fish in each group, and one big grand prize was saved for the longest fish of the day.
But the real win? Just being out there.
The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise served breakfast—pancakes, sausage, and orange juice. It was free, and no one left hungry. Across the shoreline, you could hear laughter, cheers, and the occasional “I got one!”
For many kids, this was their first fish. For others, it was another year of tradition. Mist hung low over the water. The sky stayed gray, and the air was cool. It felt like fishing weather.
By 9:00 a.m., the winners were announced. Some held trophies. Others just held memories. All left with a good story.
The Simi Park District gives a big shout out to Simi Valley Elks Lodge 2492 and American Trophies for making this event possible. And hats off to the early risers—the volunteers—who showed up before sunrise to help reel it all together!
That’s the kind of morning it was in Simi Valley. No big production. Just a community coming together to slow down, spend time outside, and chase a bit of adventure, one cast at a time.
