From Staff reports

Nearly 300 youths enjoyed a day of fishing and fun at the San Jacinto Valley’s fall fishing tournament.

The free Kids Fishing Tournament, staged at Golden Era Golf Course near San Jacinto, was Sept. 28. A similar event was held in April.

Children’s families also joined the event, which drew more than 800 guests, a news release states.

More than 176 fish were caught, with the winning fish weighing in at 5.1 pounds, according to the release.

Businesses, local officials and volunteers worked to stage the event, which included a free pancake breakfast sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hemet and a hot dog and hamburger lunch from the Kiwanis Club of Hemet and the Hemet-San Jacinto Exchange Club, the release states.

When fishing was done, families enjoyed a barbecue lunch and a watermelon-eating contest.