Elks to host 16th youth fishing derby
“Once again, eager, young faces will be surrounding Mantle Lake in Presque Isle in anticipation of landing a trout.”
These are the words of Marion Donahue, Exalted Ruler of the Presque Isle Elks, Lodge 1954, in announcing that for the 16th consecutive year, the Presque Isle Elks will sponsor the “Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs” Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle starting at 8 a.m.
According to event chair Alan Harding, the Elks will again host this youth fishing derby, totally free of charge, to all young people over age 3 and under 16.
Registration for the fishing derby will start at 8 a.m. and end at 10 a.m., with the fishing contest stopping at noon. Special prizes will be presented to the young person who is the first to catch a fish, the young person who catches the longest fish and for the greatest total length of fish for the five-fish limit.
In addition, the youngest boy or girl to catch a fish will receive a special award. As in all previous years, every registered contestant will be entitled to select a prize from a wide array of articles for outdoor activities, from soccer balls to bicycle helmets.
“For any young person over the age of 3 years and under 16, who has a desire to fish or to learn to fish, the only thing they need to bring to the fshing derby is a supervising adult,” Harding said. “If theyoung person does not have a fishing pole or bait, the Presque Isle Elks, with the assistance of Ben’s Trading Post, Taylor’s Worms and Plano, will see that they are equipped. If the supervising adult knows little or nothing about fishing, professional guides will be on hand to provide instruction and age-appropriate guidance.”
Because a day at the lake is not just about fishing, the Presque Isle Elks, with the assistance of celebrity volunteers, will be serving free hot dogs, potato chips, soft drinks and ice cream to the young anglers and their adult supervisors while at the fishing derby.
Pursuant to a legislative act, the “Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs” Youth Fishing Derby is an activity sanctioned by Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. That agency will again provide assistance for the fishing derby by stocking Mantle Lake with legal size trout during the week before the derby.
Ben’s Trading Post of Presque Isle has assumed the role, with OMM Outfitters of Eagle Lake, as official outfitters for the fishing derby, along with assistance from Taylor’s Worms of Orono. Collectively they will be making certain that every young person who wants to fish will be equipped and assisted in doing so, as long as a supervising adult is accompanying the young person.
Once again, the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club is donating the first-place prize, a lifetime fishing license, to be given away to a lucky young fisherman. There will also be a drawing for the supervising adults who have accompanied their young people for the event.
Further information in relation to the fishing derby is available by calling the Presque Isle Elks Lodge at 764-0985 or Harding at 764-0131.
