10-year-old Pender County girl named finalist in nationwide fishing contest

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A 10-year-old Pender County girl is casting for a national title after reeling in a spot among the top five finalists in a nationwide fishing competition.

Ellanora Havens has made the top five in a nationwide Kids Can Fish Foundation competition and is now competing in the final round of voting.

According to her family, voting is open through Aug. 31, 2026.

Ellanora has been fishing with her father for as long as she can remember. Her father, who grew up fishing himself, said the two can often be found together near the water when he isn’t working.

Recently, Ellanora told her father she wanted to catch a gar.

The pair headed to a local spot along the river, caught some bait and began fishing. Rain was moving into the area, with thunder in the distance.

Her father asked whether she wanted to pack up and try again another day.

Ellanora’s response: “No, I have a good feeling.”

Moments later, the fish began biting.

After about five minutes of fighting the fish, Ellanora saw it surface and realized she had hooked the gar she had been hoping to catch.

Her father said Ellanora eventually landed the fish herself and couldn’t stop smiling.

During that outing, Ellanora also caught three catfish and two bowfin.

Her father said he mostly sat back and recorded the experience so the two could look back on the memories.

“That was so fun, I will never forget this day,” Ellanora told her father on the way home, according to her family.

Her family said the experience is about more than simply catching fish.

“It’s not always about the fish you catch. It’s about the memories you make and the smiles on the kids’ faces while catching fish,” her father said.

How to vote

Ellanora was entered into a nationwide Kids Can Fish competition featuring a sponsored prize of $400 in fishing gear.

Her family says she advanced through the earlier rounds and is now one of five finalists.

People who want to support Ellanora can visit the contest’s Facebook post and vote for “Ellanora’s Huge Gar.”

Voting ends Aug. 31.

Vote for Ellanora’s Huge Gar here.

Kids Can Fish describes its mission as encouraging children and families to enjoy fishing while developing skills such as patience, problem-solving and being present in the moment.

The organization also promotes family bonding, youth fishing opportunities and conservation.

For Ellanora and her family, the contest is another opportunity to share her love of fishing and encourage other young anglers to get outdoors.