Monday Memories: Young angler struggled to fish himself out of a net

The peace at Walden Pond was broken for a few hours as at least 2,000 youngsters ringed its banks vying to hook the biggest catch in the fishing rodeo. The event kicked-off the 1973 Toledo Recreational Festival at Ottawa Park, which provided a variety of sports and talent events, as well as craft exhibits.

In this Blade archive photo, Brett Anderson, 1, cried for help as he tried to untangle himself from a landing net. The anglers had plenty of chances to reel in a fish. More than a ton of bullheads and catfish were released into the pond for the contest, and prizes were awarded for first fish, largest fish and heaviest catch in three age divisions.

The city’s recreation division and the Toledo Crow Club had hosted the popular annual event since the late 1940s.

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