Elks’ Hooked on Fishing event has record turnout
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The shores of Mantle Lake were lined with young people fishing on Saturday, May 30 as the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge #1954, held its 15th annual “Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs” Youth Fishing Derby.
According to Michael LaFrance, the Elks chairman for this event, a total of 250 youth (111 girls and 139 boys) between the ages of 3 and 16, signed up for the fishing derby. A total of 123 trout were registered as being caught during the contest from 8 a.m. until noon. This is an all-time record in the 15 years of the derby.
The fishing derby had barely gotten under way when 12-year-old Matthew Hedrich, the son of David and Nancy Hedrich of Mapleton, registered the first fish caught in the derby and the first of his five-fish limit. The biggest trout of the morning was taken by Michael Libby, son of Lisa Kelly of Limestone. Four-year-old Sammy Walker, son of Christine Walker of Presque Isle, was the youngest successful angler. Noah Corriveau of Presque Isle and seven other youngsters caught their five-fish limit, but Corriveau had the longest total length of fish. Each of these winners received a gift certificate from Ben’s Trading Post in Presque Isle.
A lifetime fishing license was given by the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club, as the first prize drawn, to Hunter Campbell, son of Jana Campbell of Wade.
In describing the event, the Presque Isle Elks Exalted Ruler Alan Harding said, “Everyone who attended the Elks’ fishing derby was a winner. Not only did every child who registered for the event take home an outdoor activity prize, they enjoyed a beautiful day outdoors fishing with a parent or other adult. Learning to participate in these types of activities has been demonstrated to decrease the likelihood that the child will engage in drug abuse, a win for both the parent and child.”
In addition to the outdoor activity prizes given away to every participant, the Elks served 540 hot dogs, over 150 servings of ice cream, over 300 bottles of water, 200 cups of soda and approximately 150 dishes of shaved ice.
Also in addition to the outdoor activity prizes awarded to all participants, 40 young people who arrived at the event with no fishing gear received a brand new fishing rod, reel and fishing tackle. Live bait was provided at no charge and all successful young fishermen received a tackle box.
