By Meridith Paterson
Staff Writer

PRESQUE ISLE – Drizzling rain didn’t bother the fish or the fishermen enjoying their Saturday at Mantle Lake Park. Eighty-one children registered for the “Hooked on Fishing” derby on May 31 with some traveling from as far away as Houlton to test their casting and hooking skills.

Participants caught 57 fish in the Presque Isle Elks sponsored event. The first fish of the day was caught by 11-year-old Lydia Short of Presque Isle. The biggest fish was caught by 6-year-old Jordan Plummer of Presque Isle, at a length of 12 1/2-inches. The total length award went to 7-year-old Michael Berube of Mapleton. Berube’s five fish totaled 51 3/4-inches.
Pat McCormick, of Woodland, walked away a winner of a 21-foot Hudson Bay canoe and trailer. Raffle winners of $100 were Tom Pelletier, of Madawaska; Rowena Ramey, of Presque Isle; Mary Wilcox, of Easton; and Angie Boutot, of Portage. Three-year-old Hailey Brewer, of Mars Hill, and 6-year-old Taylor Stephenson, of Mapleton, won a lifetime hunting, fishing and archery license sponsored by Uncle Buck’s Archery.

Contributed photo/Glenn Daigle
HUNTERS, FISHERS AND ARCHERS OF THE FUTURE. Three-year-old Hailey Brewer, of Mars Hill (left) and six-year-old Taylor Stephenson, of Mapleton, (center) received lifetime hunting, fishing and archery licenses courtesy of Uncle Buck’s Archery from a drawing taken at the “Hooked on Fishing” derby on May 31. Pictured with the winners is Glenn Daigle.

Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
STURDY FISHERMEN Mark Graves (front), Casey Estabrook and her father Corey Estabrook don’t let the rain keep them from casting their line in Mantle Lake on May 31.

Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
GENERATIONS OF FISHERMEN. Lexis Nightingale (back) and Naomi Nightingale (front) learn how to fish from their uncle Chris McLellan and grandfather James McLellan.