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Young anglers haul in fish at annual tournament

Event draws more participants than ever before
Marlon Wilkinson-Perez, 9, proudly holds up his catch, an 8.5-inch flounder, at the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park’s youth fishing tournament Sept. 6. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTOS
Ellen McIntyre
September 13, 2025

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park held its annual youth fishing tournament at the state park’s fishing pier Sept. 6.

A total of 72 participants – more than ever before – packed the pier with their families, friends and fishing equipment. 

The event was held from 8 to 11 a.m., with prizes and trophies awarded around noon. 

Young anglers competed for trophies in two categories: the largest legal fish caught and the most fish caught. Four trophies were awarded in each category.

The first-place trophy for the largest fish went to Ethen Cornejo, who caught a 15.5-inch flounder.

Webb Ciavarra and Charlotte Robinson tied for the most fish caught, each with six. First place went to Ciavarra, who caught the larger fish of the two – a 9-inch spot, versus Robinson’s 8-inch spot. 

Collectively, participants caught a combined total of 90 fish.

Thanks to donations from local businesses, friends and tackle shops, every child received a prize. Items up for grabs included gift certificates, fishing rods and other fishing equipment, and even two parent-child fishing trips on the Judy V., a fishing charter at the Indian River Marina.

Each participant also received a free Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park T-shirt.

The registration fee was $10 per child. 

According to tournament organizer Dave Frazier, as with all FOCHSP events, the proceeds from the tournament directly benefit the park.

The Friends is a nonprofit group dedicated to protecting and improving the Cape Henlopen State Park for current and future generations.

 

The tournament gives many young kids the chance to go fishing, some for the first time. Shown are (l-r) Chloe Poppe, 7; Romey Poppe, 3; and Archer Graham, 2.
Sophia Kollar, 7, stands with her dad, who’s holding the 9-inch spot she caught.
Logan Hudson, 14, holds up one of the bluefish he caught. He caught a total of five fish, including an 11.5-inch flounder, which was the third-largest legal fish caught in the tournament.
Enjoying the day are (l-r) Macklin Middendorf, 4; Aubrey Zamonski, 5; and Tanner Zamonski, 2.
Teddy Parsons, 6, holds some of the minnows his siblings use as bait.
Christopher Brown, 9, holds a porgy.
Addison Fitzgerald, 9, takes a break from fishing to play “Miss Mary Mack” with her mother, Heather.
Rohan Intreglia, 13, fishes with his neighbor, Alo’e Thomas, 5.
Trophies were awarded in two different categories: the largest legal fish caught, and the most fish caught. There were four trophies for each category.
A couple participants check out some of the tournament prizes, which include fishing rods and other equipment.
Tournament organizer Dave Frazier, left, hands a trophy to Ethan Cornejo, who won first place for the largest legal fish caught, a 15.5-inch flounder.
Emma Robinson, left, and her cousin, Charlotte, won third- and second-place trophies, respectively, for the most fish caught. Emma caught five fish, while Charlotte caught six.
Nico Conte holds up his fourth-place trophy. He caught four fish, which was the fourth-highest number of fish caught.
Every child received a trophy or a prize at the end of the tournament.

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Ellen McIntyre is a reporter covering education and all things Dewey Beach. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Penn State - Schreyer Honors College in May 2024, then completed an internship writing for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 2023, she covered the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand as a freelancer for the Associated Press and saw her work published by outlets including The Washington Post and Fox Sports. Her variety of reporting experience covers crime and courts, investigations, politics and the arts. As a Hockessin, Delaware native, Ellen is happy to be back in her home state, though she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She also loves live music, reading, hiking and spending time in nature.

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