There were children of all ages leading their parents and relatives to the best fishing spots at the sixth-annual Hooked on Fishing Field Day, held on June 2 at Mantle Lake Park.
The cars spilled out of the parking lot and lined both sides of Pine Street, leaving many of the participants walking from the elementary school to the park. With the newly restored lake recently stocked with fish, the eager anglers were more than ready to show off their skills on the beautiful, sunny day.
Many participants also chose to explore the booths that were set up by local businesses and organizations. The Caribou Discovery Museum had a booth set up along one of the paths with a fly fishing demonstration, complete with a Velcro fly and fish. Also made available by the Caribou Discovery Museum was a contest for the younger ones to see who could fill their bucket with plastic fish caught out of a children’s pool first.
Some anglers also learned more about another outdoor activity at the archery booth, with those hitting a bulls-eye having a chance at winning a bow and arrow of their own.
At the end of the afternoon, when everyone had their fill of lunch and hit their five-fish limit, awards were given out to the young fishermen who caught the first trout, the greatest total length of fish and also the largest trout caught.
Winning the first-fish prize was Dillon Hatfield, age 13, of Presque Isle, with an 8.75-inch trout. Hatfield took home a new four-man Coleman raft as a prize for his accomplishment.
Austin Albert, age 10, from Presque Isle, caught an 11.75-inch trout and won the largest fish competition. Albert received a mountain backpackers tent as his award.
Chelsea Chapman, age 9, of Caribou, caught a total length of 48.5 inches, which won her a mummy sleeping bag and first place in the category. Chris Carroll, age 10, of Presque Isle, took home second place and a new Zebco spinning reel for his 47-inch total length caught.
The prizes and funds necessary for this event were donated by the following businesses and organizations: Presque Isle Elks Lodge #1954, Katahdin Trust Company, Wal-Mart, North Maine Woods, M.F.X., Maine Mutual Insurance Company, P & T Trucking of Easton, Griffith Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Mitsubishi, Houlton Farms Dairy, Friends Market, Country Kitchen Bakery, Hedrick’s Vending, Presque Isle Fish & Game Club and Northern Maine Pure Spring Water.
Other organizations that participated or were involved in events included: Boy Scout Troop #171, Uncle Buck’s Archery, the Mason’s Child Identification Program, the Elks Hypertension and Diabetes Testing Van, Caribou Children’s Discovery Museum, Presque Isle Police Department, Presque Isle Fire Department, Presque Isle Parks and Recreation and the Presque Isle City Hall.
