TWIN FALLS - After seeing a flyer at Sportsman's Warehouse for a father-daughter fishing derby, Jake Walton jumped at the opportunity to drown some worms with his 7-year-old daughter, Charlotte.

The Waltons were among 30 teams who began their day casting lines into Dierkes Lake while the sun crept over the Snake River Canyon.

"We like fishing, and I thought the derby would be a good chance to just spend time together," Walton said.

The derby raised funds for Jubilee House, a faith-based residential substance abuse recovery center committed to helping women rebuild their lives after addiction. The facility is currently under construction in Twin Falls.

"We hope to make at least $2,500 from the derby, because the Modern Woodsmen have pledged to match up to that," said Diane Stevens with the Jubilee House. "Then we would have a total of $5,000."

By 7:30 a.m. Saturday, 32 teams had arrived for the fishing competition.

"Teams paid $20 each, and we are really pleased with the outcome," Stevens said. "When something is in its first year, you expect a learning curve. Not only do you need to learn how to get the event together, but you also have to educate the public to look forward to the father-daughter derby every year."

Prizes were given to the team who caught the most fish and the biggest fish, and for teams with the oldest dad or youngest daughter. Money also was raised by the sale of hundreds of raffle tickets for a canoe.

Before the derby, Dierkes Lake was stocked with more than 500 rainbow trout and yellow trout, said Jerry Chapman, manager of Idaho Fish and Game's Hagerman State Fish Hatchery.

"We usually stock this pond but not quite so late in the year. But it isn't getting too hot, yet," Chapman said. "Plus, this is for a really good cause."

Fish and Game also provided extra fishing poles for the event.

"One reason that we have father-daughter events is because the women that we see, those recovering from addiction, either had a nonexistent or negative relationship with their father," Stevens said.

Those with Jubilee House hope that the facility will be ready for occupants by the end of the year.

"We can house nine to 14 women with children," Stevens said. "I've already had calls from the court system asking if we are ready yet. The need is already there."

Times-News correspondent Blair Koch can be reached at blairkoch@gmail.com or 316-2607.