Before 11 a.m., the kids were lining up at the weigh station to get their fish documented. All the kids were guaranteed a prize this year through the generosity of sponsors and donors. You could feel the excitement and anticipation from the youths, ranging from 16 years of age to toddlers. There were two kayaks awarded this year for the largest fish entered by a boy and a girl. This prize was made possible from Liberty Solutions and Tractor Supply. The 12-year-olds were the two to beat for this prize, as 12-year-old Summer Johnson took the girls division with a 17 inch bass and Dan Shockley, also 12 years old, had a 19 inch bass. Makenzie Lahnen won the girls 8-year-old division, while Jackson Crowell, 10, won the boys division. Chelsey Johnson, 7, and Colton Johnson, 4, won their divisions and 16-year-old Nicole Tampio won the 16-year-old girls division. Charlie Scott, 15, reported with a smaller sized fish that was still good enough to take his age group. Smart thinking, Charlie.

Over the years, the volunteers who put on this wonderful event continue to amaze the spectators with their smiles and pleasant efficiency. Handing out hot dogs, drinks, prizes, manning the sign-ups and weigh-ins, setting up and breaking down the tent and tables and chairs — they do a great job. Donors for this year’s event included: Liberty Solutions, Cassadaga Shurfine, Richard Delunk, Kevin and Elaine Bendol, The Red House, KCR, Don Cornel, The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club, Zen Olow, The Chautauqua County Sportsmen Federation and Gilberts.

Lew Mead, who spearheaded this event for many years, was probably smiling to see his three grandchildren from Cindy Flaharety, who is from out-of-town and finally able to attend this years event. Hopefully we will see you next year too!

Calendar: June 29-30 are Free Fishing Days.

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek 10 yr. old Jackson Crowell with his 17 inch bass.

June 29 – July 28 is the 10th annual Lake Ontario Counties (LOC) Summer derby. Go to www.loc.org.

July 22 at 4:30 p.m. the Lakeshore Longbeards our local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold an organizational meeting, at Liberty Vineyards in Sheridan, for the JAKES Day Youth event. It will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Westfield Fish & Game Club. The meeting is open to the public. They need more volunteers for the Jakes Day event so please stop by.

July 19-20 is the Sunset Bay Shootout. Contact Captain Don Ruppert at 435-4137.

July 28 is the Chautauqua Lake Summer Bass Team OPEN. At Chautauqua Lake, Long Point State Park. Contact Mike Russo at (716) 640-6915.

The Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tournament is August 2-4. Contact person is Zen Olow at 640-2776.

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek 7 yr. old Zachary Bistoff with his 10 7/8 inch bass.

VIP Day is August 7. Contact Zen Olow at 640-2776.

Aug. 11 is the Chautauqua Bassmasters Tournament No. 3 on Chautauqua Lake/Long Point State Park. Contact Mike Russo at 640-6915. Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge out of Dunkirk. Contact Jim Steel at 481-5348 or go to www.innovative-outdoors.com.

If your club or organization is holding a hunter safety training/trapping course or a turkey shoot or any other outdoors event, and would like to see it posted in the calendar, send information to the OBSERVER, 10 East Second Street, Dunkirk, NY 14048, or call the sports department at 366-3000 ext. 5 after 6 p.m.

Note: If you have a big game fishing or trapping success story you would like to share, call 366-1772, or 467-2079 and leave a name, phone number and a time you can be reached. You can also call 366-3000, ext. 5, after 6 p.m. or email sports@observertoday.com.

OBSERVER Photo by Gene Pauszek 9 yr. old Janna White with her pretty sunfish.