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Father’s Day outdoors fun

Little fish and big fish were landed by kids at the Youth Fishing Derby held at the Westfield Fish & Game Club last weekend, where about 110 kids participated. Westfield Fish & Game Photo

Kids had an amazing time at the Youth Fishing Derby held last Saturday at the Westfield Fish & Game Club on Ogden Road. It was an absolutely beautiful day filled with sunshine and fun activities. Attendees got to learn so much about fishing, from handling fishing rods and reels to mastering knot tying. The best part was actual fishing in the large club pond. Some 11 kids caught fish that weighed in at over 1 pound, but one lucky youngster landed an 8.21-pound catfish — now that’s a catch to remember, The prizes were awesome, including rod/reel combos. But the excitement didn’t stop there — the delicious hot dogs and hamburgers they served were a hit with everyone. Perhaps the best part was that it was all free for participants. The generosity and volunteer member support from the club was appreciated by all. The event was open to the general public. The club offers annual memberships for junior ($5), senior ($35) and family ($57) that allow organized participation in many outdoor activities like trap shooting, skeet, rifle, handgun, fishing, hunting, and conservation. If you want to join, just drop a note to Westfield Fish & Game Club, Inc., PO Box 481, Westfield, NY, for an application. To learn more, visit their Facebook page and search for the club. This is definitely an experience the kids will not forget.

The Hanover Fish & Game Club Father’s Day Fun Shoot was a day of shared joy and camaraderie. The sunny Sunday was enjoyed by all 63 participants, with Kevin Cole shooting a remarkable 96 for high honors. The club, fostering a sense of community, offers trap shooting every Thursday at 5 p.m., and sporting clays are scheduled every Saturday. The next fun shoot is the Firecracker Shoot set for July 6, a 100-bird NSCA-registered sporting clay shoot. The event is 100% automated, and all shooters are welcome. The facility provides handicapped access, and memberships are available. Visit http://hanoverclays.com to learn more and be a part of this vibrant community.

Get ready for an exciting new event. On Saturday at Long Point State Park Marina on Chautauqua Lake, event coordinator Dillan LaBarbera and partner Harry Emmerling will launch the first “Chautauqua Lake Student Bass Open,” a competitive fishing tournament designed for young elementary and high school anglers from the 7th to 12th grade. The event, running from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., will see each student weighing in a three-bass bag, with the heaviest bag taking the prize. To register as a student or to help with sponsorship, contact Labarbera at 716-499-7545 or email dmlabarb@gmail.com. Be a part of this new and exciting fishing adventure.

On Sunday, the Southtowns Walleye Association tournament members will celebrate with a picnic to share the post-polygraph final standings of the $100,000, nine-day Lake Erie Walleye Tournament that ended last Sunday on Father’s Day at 4 p.m. There will be the daily big fish winners ($1,000 each), the special daily sponsor prize winners, the overall big fish winners, the mystery weight fish (a random draw for big cash), and a tally of individual random prizes, all set for fun at their clubhouse, 5896 Southwestern Blvd., in Hamburg.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Congratulations to 11-year old Lucas Dusenbury who landed this whopper walleye during the Southtowns Walleye contest that ended last Sunday. From Buffalo to Pennsylvania, the walleye bite was strong. Southtowns Walleye Association Photo

CALENDAR

June 22: Student Bass Open Tournament, Long Point State Park, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., $55 entry fee, looking for sponsor help. Info, Dillan LaBarbera, 716-499-7545.

June 22: Teach-Me-To-Fish Clinic, Chestnut Ridge Park Lake, Orchard Park, call NYSDEC at 716-533-4070 or visit www.ecfsc.org.

June 23: Southtowns Walleye Association annual tournament awards ceremony, 5895 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg.

June 29-30: NYS Free Fishing Days, no license required for residents and non-residents.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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