This is one that didn’t get away.

A toddler’s first catch fishing is this year’s winner in the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association Best Fish Photo Contest.

Bry Hornsby of Notasulga was declared the winner after his photo garnered more than 1,300 votes online.

The image shows Bry and his father, Brandon, holding up a bass the toddler reeled in just moments before the winning photo was snapped.

“It was funny, because he was trying to cast his little fishing pole,” Brandon said. “He tried to cast it, and it barely went into the water. As I was trying to get it to reel it back in, the fish hit the worm and took off. He hooked it himself and reeled it in. That was his first one. He accidentally caught the fish.”

Pam Swanner, executive director of the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association, talked about this year’s contest.

“This region is blessed with so many lakes, rivers and streams, and the Best Fish Contest is intended to celebrate the summer fishing season and encourage people to enjoy our natural resources,” said Swanner. “The photos entered this year included people of all ages who wet a line on our abundant waterways found throughout the Black Belt’s 23-county footprint. It’s gratifying to see these family snapshots that remind us about the unbridled joy of catching a fish.

“Bry’s winning photo with his dad definitely showcases the family memories made in the outdoors.”

Bry will receive a prize package that includes a variety of Road Runner crappie and bass fishing lures donated by TTI Blakemore worth $250.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.