Fishin’ the pier

Mike Sciacca

The mighty Mississippi it wasn’t, but a portion of the Huntington

Beach Pier and Pacific Ocean below looked like something straight out

of a Mark Twain novel.

With several youngsters dressing the part of Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer

and Becky Thatcher and standing out among those wearing board shorts

and flip flops on the crowded pier, an estimated 325 contestants took

part in the 2004 Huck Finn Fishing Derby and Costume Contest.

The competition takes its name and theme from characters from Mark

Twain’s famous novels, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” and “The

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Manned by volunteers, the 41st event

attracted nearly 100 more participants than any single past derby,

said Dottie Hughes, recreation supervisor for the city’s Community

Services Department.

“It’s a terrific turnout and the kids are having a great time,”

Hughes said. “Not only that, but the fish are biting too.

“A lot of fish are thrown back because they are not legal size,

and the contestants have to abide by the rules set by the Department

of Fish and Game. They’re having fun, no matter what they do or don’t

catch.”

With eight different varieties cooperating -- including Bonita and

Blue Perch -- youngsters lined the pier hoping to nab the grand prize

for the largest fish.

That honor went to 10-year-old Ryan Parker of Westminster, who

lined a 1.15-pound croaker and won a fishing rod and reel and a

goodies bag.

There were three other age-group category winners for largest

fish.

More than 250 fish were caught during the 2 1/2 hour derby, Hughes

said.

“I haven’t caught anything yet, but I’m still having a fun time,”

said Elisha Breton, 8, of Anaheim.

Elisha had his Huck Finn costume down pat: red flannel shirt with

loose suspenders tucked into rolled up jeans, brown handkerchief and

straw hat that was dotted with fishing lures -- one, an antique lure

that was about 50 years old -- and a corn cob pipe.

The pipe was made of a piece of Indian corn Elisha grew last year

in his garden, which was drilled out and filled with a lead pencil.

Elisha fished next to Lillian Hamilton, 11, of Huntington Beach,

who was dressed as Becky Thatcher, a friend of Tom Sawyer.

Lillian, who will enter Dwyer Middle School in September, studied

her copy of “Huckleberry Finn” the night before the derby to create

costume authenticity.

“I looked through the entire book and the pictures to see just how

Becky would dress,” said Lillian, who wore a white blouse, a blue

floor-length skirt, a red bow in each of her two ponytails and fake

freckles.

She also brought a basket filled with a stuffed animal, her copy

of the book and an apple she picked for Tom Sawyer.

She placed third in the Best Dressed Becky Thatcher contest.

“This is my first year in this contest,” Lillian said. “I’ve never

been fishing off the pier, either, so this is something new for me. I

haven’t caught anything yet, but it’s fun to be out here with

everybody.”

Several sponsors donated products to the derby, including Big Fish

Tackle in Seal Beach, Hughes said, which was offering a free rod and

reel to those who preregistered for the event.

The store ended up giving away 200 free rods and reels, Hughes

said.

The derby and costume contest was open to anyone under the age of

15 and drew contestants from throughout Southern California.

Brothers Russell Hart, 10, dressed as Huck Finn, and Mitchell

Hart, 9, who dressed as Tom Sawyer, brought their own fishing rods,

including a couple made of bamboo to simulate a pole the fictional

characters might have used in the late-1800s.

The Harts traveled from Los Angeles to take part in the derby and

costume contest.

“This is our first time on the pier,” said Mitchell, wearing a

brown vest, a flannel shirt, hiking boots and a straw hat, while

carrying a plastic knife. “Our mom found out about the derby on the

Internet and here we are. We’re having a good time.”

A little more than an hour into the fishing derby, the Harts

caught nothing more than smelt.

“We’ve got a few nibbles here and there, but that’s about it,”

said Russell, who wore a light, white long-sleeved shirt and carried

a sling shot and a plastic knife. “I’m not liking this weather too

much, either. It’s a bit cold for this outfit I’m wearing.”

The winners -- Best Dressed Huck Finn, Hunter Ekmen; Best Dressed

Becky Thatcher, Karsi Bondurian -- each won a new bike donated by

Sports Chalet of Huntington Beach.

* MIKE SCIACCA covers sports and features. He can be reached at

(714) 965-7171 or by e-mail at michael.sciacca@latimes.com.