Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Mantle Lake brook trout beware! A floating forest of hooks will make dangerous swimming for any fish caught unaware during the annual Hooked on Fishing event at Mantle Lake Park on Saturday, May 31. The Presque Isle Elks Club will host the event for its eighth year from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in hopes of fine weather and a host of young fishing enthusiasts. The primary focus of the free event is to get families and children outside and active. “It’s a ‘Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs’ program,” explained organizer Curtis Lewin. “It’s basically to get families out to fish and get kids out doing things and not getting into trouble.”
Last year 250 children registered for the competition with 65 trout caught – each individual fisherman can keep up to five. Ten-year-old Chelsea Chapman, daughter of Don Chapman and Diane Chapman, cast her line just right to entice the creatures below and win the event twice. Chapman started fishing under her father’s guidance after tasting some fresh-caught fish, and deciding she wanted to be able to go out and catch her own.
Although Chapman attends other derbies, Mantle Lake remains her favorite. “The ones at Mantle Lake are the fun ones, because I get to see the big fish I catch,” said Chapman.
Chapman plans to attend this year’s tournament and compete again as the reigning champion. Her advice to would-be fishers – “Find a good spot and have your dad as a coach.”
This year’s events promises to have a variety of entertainment along with the traditional fishing. “We try to add something new every year,” said Lewin.
Activities currently in the works include animal petting courtesy of the Humane Society, an educational setup by the Children’s Discovery Museum and a bow-hunting lesson and contest led by Glenn Daigle. The Forest Service, Police Department, Fire Department and Warden Service have also volunteered to assist with the derby. Fishermen who need a snack or lunch break will have a choice of hot dogs, soda and ice cream as well.
Other volunteers will be on hand to give casting lessons or just available to untangle fishing lines. “There’s always someone to help,” commented Lewin.
Anyone interested in volunteering or needing more information should contact Lewin at 764-0985. Registration will run from 8 to 10 a.m. Children do not need a fishing license up to the age of 16.
