Elks host another
popular fishing derby at Mantle
On Saturday, June 1, hundreds of young, prospective fishermen, with supervising adults, descended upon Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle for the 13th annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs youth fishing derby sponsored by Presque Isle Elks Lodge #1954.
Contributed photos
BIG FISH, BIG WINNER — Nine-year-old Matthew Hedrich, son of David and Nancy Hedrich of Mapleton, won a lifetime fishing license at the Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs youth fishing derby held June 1 at Mantle Lake Park and sponsored by the Presque Isle Elks. Matthew landed a 12-1/2 inch trout, which he proudly displayed, together with his application for the lifetime fishing license.
FIVE-YEAR-OLD Evan McEachern of Presque Isle sits with his father, Bruce, along the bank of Mantle Lake on June 1, as the two participated in the Elks’ youth fishing derby.
When registration for the fishing derby began promptly at 8 a.m., a line of anxious young fishermen had already formed. At the conclusion of registration, over 225 boys and girls under the age of 16 had registered to fish in the derby.
The Presque Isle Elks were ready to outfit every young person wanting to fish with everything the young person would need, except for the desire. With contributions from Cabella’s and the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club, over 50 young fishermen received new fishing rods and reels ready to go fishing.
During the four-hour fishing derby, youngsters caught over 50 fish from Mantle Lake, which had been stocked for the event by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
First prize in the derby was a lifetime fishing license donated by the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club. It was won my nine-year-old Matthew Hedrich, son of David and Nancy Hedrich, who landed a 12-1/2 inch trout in order to claim first prize.
In addition to the new fishing rods and reels given away, the Elks presented every young derby participant with an article for an outdoor activity, ranging from skateboards to softball helmets. One young person in each of the four gender and age categories took home a brand new bicycle.
The supervising adults were also rewarded for their participation in the event with a drawing for a weekend stay at Camp Macannamac on Haymock Lake, which was won by Mark Plourde of Caribou. In addition, two year-long passes to the North Maine Woods, including camping, were awarded.
“For 13 years, the Presque Isle Elks have been proud to sponsor The Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs program. Providing an outdoor event that young parents and their children can enjoy together at no cost whatsoever is in itself a worthwhile endeavor for our organization,” said Elks Exalted Ruler Vicki Delong. “The smiling faces of hundreds of young people catching fish, enjoying a hot dog, eating ice cream, winning a prize or just enjoying the day was proof of the day’s success. The true success of the event, however, was evident from the eagerness to go fishing again, which was expressed by youngsters introduced to fishing at the annual fishing derby.”
