Contributed by Sara Anderson
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| Contributed photo Winning the Youth Fishing Derby sponsored by Northstar Variety and Sportsman’s Inc. on Madawaska Lake was Noah Frost, with an impressive 15.2- inch fish. Posing for the trophy photo were a group of Frost’s friends; from left, front row: Camden Huck, Frost, and Spencer McDuffie. Back row: Riley McDuffie and Gabe Massey. |
Co-Owner, Northstar Variety
MADAWASKA LAKE — The weather may have been a little overcast and a bit cooler than predicted, but that didn’t stop 117 kids from participating in this year’s Youth Ice Fishing Day on Madawaska Lake.
The March 10 event, sponsored by Northstar Variety and Sportsmen, Inc. had participants ranging form 3-15 years of age hit the ice and drew a crowd of well over 200 people.
The first 100 kids received their very own ice fishing trap and lure with plenty of hats, puck lights and more lures for the latecomers. Youths who caught the four longest trout received a jig pole set, complete with extra jigs and a carry case.
This year, Sportsman’s Inc. was able to team up with HT Enterprises, a leader in the ice fishing industry. This partnership allowed the club to purchase the traps at an affordable price. HT Enterprises also sent a very generous donation of jigs, hats, puck lights and poles which allowed the event to have a lot of door prizes for the kids aside from the trap the first hundred youth fishermen received.
The sun finally peeked out around lunchtime and the crowd was hungry! Roughly 80 pounds of burgers and hotdogs were served along with large quantities of chips and pastries, water, soda, hot chocolate and coffee.
Twelve trout were measured for the top four prizes; the winners were:
• First place, Noah Frost at 15.25 inches;
• Second place, Josh McCormack at 14.5 inches;
• Third place, Hannah Landeen at 11.75 inches; and
• Fourth place, Kayden Ayre at 10.5 inches.
This year’s raffle prize winner was Glen Raymond of Caribou, who received a Magnum Otter Tote, hitch and cover.
With another successful year behind us, we would like to give thanks to all those whose contributions made this event possible.
A very special thank-you to the Long Lake Derby, Jason Landeen, Bub Anderson and Roger Plante for their generous monetary donations; the donations received from these individuals and all those who attended the event are gratefully accepted and help with the continuation of this great annual winter event.
A thank-you also to the kitchen crew — Karyn Thornton and Denise McCormack — and the 24 members and junior members of Sportsman’s Inc.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Set up for a comfortable day on the lake were Alex and Deb Sidell of New Sweden; at the time of the photo, they’d caught four perch with the expert assistance of their granddaughter, Emily Johndro.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Kendra Coffin, 15 of Stockholm, takes a couple of kids for a snowmobile ride during the annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby on March 10. In the back of the sled were Coleson Theriault and Kerrigan Haney, both of Connor, and three-year-old Tristen Merchant of Caribou.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Dawson Whitten of Caribou may only be eight years old, but the seasoned fisherman has learned plenty about the sport from his grandfather Herm Turcotte, who’s been a Maine guide for over 25 years. Whitten says that this is his fourth year ice fishing, and that the key to ice fishing is being patient.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Sometimes, even the bait is hard to catch, as demonstrated here.. Zach Whitten. 13, helps Willow Whitten, 11, bait an ice fishing trap during the annual youth fishing derby. Both are from Caribou.
Contributed photo
The third-place winner of the Youth Fishing Derby on March 10 was Hannah Landeen of New Sweden. Hannah’s fish was 11.75 inches long.
Contributed photo
Kayden Ayre of Limestone caught the fourth longest trout during the annual youth fishing derby on Madawaska Lake; Ayre’s fish was 10.5 inches long.
Contributed photo
Josh McCormack came in second place during the March 10 Youth Fishing Derby on Madawaska Lake with the 14.5 inch trout he caught.
