Despite heavy rains all night and several passing morning rain showers, 26 young people came eager to participate in the Kids Fishing Derby Saturday June 1 at Lake Hayward Beach and Park.
The event is a Hayward tradition started by the Rod & Gun Club in the early 1960s. Several organizations have run this over the years and the Rod & Gun Club has once again taken the lead with the help of staff from the Hayward Bass Club, Muskies Inc. Hayward Chapter, and other local volunteers, according to event organizer Wayne Balsavich.
The youth fished from shore around the park and from the large handicapped-accessible fishing dock.
New this year, participants were issued buckets to bring their fish into the measuring station in water, thus preventing mortality. All fish caught were quickly measured, registered and released alive back into the lake.
Unlimited live bait was provided to all from the Hayward Bait & Bottle Shop.
If participants were unable to bring their own fishing gear, loaner rods & reels were available from the Wisconsin DNR Angler Education gear kit.
Staff were available to help the youth find and catch fish if they or their family members needed it.
The casting contest was a big hit, where the young anglers were able to not only compete for prizes, but sharpen their casting skills on different types of equipment with mentoring by the staff.
Retired DNR Fish Biologist Frank Pratt was on hand with his famous portable lure making kit, allowing the anglers to design and assemble their own baits. During the event, Frank reached a milestone by surpassing 20,000 baits assembled for the young angling community.
All the young anglers were given a brand-new rod and reel combo at the conclusion of the event as well as passes to the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and wristbands for rides and adventure passes at the Mall of America.
Special prizes were awarded to the winners of the casting contest by age division, the winners of the most fish and biggest fish categories by age division.
Fishing Category and Casting Contest Winners were:
1–5-Year-olds: Most Fish, Brian Liegl with two bluegills; biggest fish, Abby Mayberry with a 7-inch bluegill.
6–9-Year-olds: Most Fish—tie between Bonnie Strabel and Ryker Livingston, each with four bluegills; biggest fish, Castiel Conner with a 12-inch largemouth bass.Bonus Big Fish Winner, Lilly Kuehlman with an 8.5-inch bluegill.
10–15-Year-Olds: Most Fish and Biggest Fish, Caden Luders with three panfish including a 7inch yellow perch.
Major sponsors included: Muskies Inc. Hayward Chapter, Sawyer County Outdoor Projects and Education (SCOPE), WRLS Radio, Hayward Bass Club, the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, Hayward Rod & Gun Club, the Wisconwin DNR, and Hayward Bait and Bottle Shop.
Staff included: Wayne Balsavich, Mike Persson, Alan Hoeft, Bob Goodrich, Jim & SigE Breen, Robert Staib, Beth Theiler, Frank Pratt, and Mike Smith.
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