Brooke Pelletier may have been one of the youngest competitors at this year’s Bob Meloche Memorial Fishing Derby, but she reeled in one of the biggest fish.
The great-grand-daughter of the event’s founder was credited with catching a 26-and-a-half-inch dog fish, taking first place in the 0 to 5 years-old category.
An experienced angler, the three-year-old seemed very pleased that her grandfather, Bob Meloche’s son Gord, officially measured the winning entry which was caught at River Canard.
The nearly 200 kids under the age of 12, had their choice of locations to fish this year and what they caught was either measured at the AMA Sportsmen’s Club or at the Kings Navy Yard in Amherstburg.
“Bob was a member of the Sportsmen’s Club for many years. He started this in his backyard well over 40 years ago,” said Chris Drew, a member of the club who helped out with the measuring along the Detroit River Sunday morning.
While young Brooke brought in a real whopper, several other fish caught, including a just over 13-inch small mouth bass caught by three-year-old Elliotte Lenarduzzi was just as impressive.
“I put them on the board and measure them. Then we give it back to them so they can put the fish back in the water,” said Sportsmen Club member Mark Rene who also volunteered his time.
The event is always held on Father’s Day and there were a lot of kids with their dads having a great time. Six-year-old Holden Wolter and his dad Ken from Amherstburg cast their lines out into the Detroit River and brought in a couple of nice bass.
Not far from their spot, nine-year-old Addison O’Brien who came from Chatham was having a lot of fun but wasn’t quite as successful.
“All the seaweed is getting in the way,” she said.
Normally fishing is prohibited off the King’s Navy Yard but according to Sportsmen Club president Rodney Ferriss, a special permit for the day was granted.
“Every kid that signs up can enjoy fishing with their father or grandfather,” said Ferris.
The AMA Sportsmen Club once again put on a fantastic event free of charge.
Once the winners were announced in three divisions, trophies were handed out.
Free hot dogs, popcorn and cookies awaited those at the club and all the entrants went home with a T-shirt and a bag that included, among other things, new fishing gear. There were several raffles and a couple of bikes that were given away.
Bob Meloche Memorial Fishing Derby attracts nearly 200 young anglers
By Fred Groves
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