ANGLING FOR FISH TOURNEY BENEFITS ABUSED CHILDREN.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

CASTAIC - Looking just like a pro, 7-year-old Taylor Venegas leaned her arm backward and threw her fishing line into the water at Castaic Lake on Saturday as part of a fishing derby and charity tournament.

The 7-year-old, along with her sister Alyson, 8, and father Bryan Venegas of Palmdale, were among hundreds of children participating in the free trout derby.

The trout derby and a bass fishing tournament were part of the 10th annual Bassing for Abused Kids event at Castaic Lake to raise money to help abused, disabled and neglected children.

``The best is catching the fish and reeling them in,'' Taylor said as she caught two fish within moments of each other. ``I want to go out and do more fishing.''

Her sister, standing beside her on the lake shore, agreed, ``I love catching fish. But it's hard work,'' she contended.

While the Children's Trout Derby was free, the professional bass tournament Saturday had a $125 entry fee and allowed boaters in teams of two to participate in the nearly six-hour event.

Organizers said that participation in the trout derby was lower than in past years and said it could be attributed to the cloudy weather but the bass tournament had 78 boats had registered for the event.

``We had a record attendance,'' said David Flynn, treasurer of the Bassing for Abused Kids group. ``Everybody knows it's for charity and the empty their pocket books to help the kids. They're truly pouring their hearts out.''

Proceeds from the day's events, which also included a raffle, will be divided between the Santa Clarita Valley Special Olympics program and the Royal Family Kids' Camp in Orange, a camp for abused and neglected children.

Over the past years, the event has raised more than $150,000 for the two organizations.

Blake Brainard, 7, shivered in the cold Saturday as he waited for a bite on his line but the die-hard fisherman and former Oregonian said that he didn't mind the sacrifices for doing something he enjoyed.

``I'm having fun,'' the youngster said as his proud father showed off a tackle box that displayed him as the third-place winner in a similar derby in Oregon two years ago. ``I love the fish.''

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Photo:

(1 -- 5; 3 -- ran in SAC edition only) Robin Behbood, 15, of Canyon Country, top, appears less than thrilled at landing her first fish during Saturday's trout derby to benefit an abused children's charity at Castaic Lake. Above, eager young anglers gather to try their luck at Castaic Lake. Blake Brainard, 7, of Valencia, far left, uses some finesse to try and land a big fish. Near left, James Fairchild, 9, of Newhall wears his lures like medals during Saturday's derby.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer