"We got some nibbles, but that's it," said Nolan Thomas, a 10-year-old from Port taking place in the annual kids fishing derby, sponsored by the Port Colborne and District Conservation Club.

"I've caught a lot of seaweed," joked his friend, Brian Bush, also 10 and from Port.

Maybe the fish weren't hungry, or maybe they knew that this year, there wasn't much interest in catching the glass-eyed wonders. Attendance at the H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park derby, held in conjunction with the 444 Walleye fishing tourney, was steeply down this year.

In 2007, the derby brought in more than 300 children. This year, the number was around 55, said Chris MacEachern.

"It's hard to guess why they're not here," said MacEachern. "It's very disappointing."

The live release derby includes more than 100 prizes, including ones for biggest catch, as well as raffle and take-home prizes. Despite the sharp drop-off in participants, MacEachern said the event will continue in the future.

"The venue here is very conducive to this event," he said, noting that the 444 tourney itself was down, with only 72 boats registered this year.

In 2007, there were 88 boats competing.

"All tournaments are down," said MacEachern. "Gas is up. The weather is terrible."

But the timeless sport of fishing can weather any storm, he said.

"Fishing is a great family event," said MacEachern. "It gets the kids outside and away from the computer. They learn about the outdoors, about the ecosystem and about compassion for animals."

And despite the lack of bites, the children lining the shore near the edge of the park were still enjoying themselves, if not for the fishing, but for each other's company.

"We're having fun," said Thomas.