PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — “‘Let’s go fishing’ — those are the words youngsters have been waiting all winter to hear from their parents, grandparents or other relatives,” stated Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954 Exalted Ruler Tai Ireland.
The lodge will host its 18th annual Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs, Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Mantle Lake Park in Presque Isle, starting at 8 a.m.
According to event chair Alan Harding, the derby is free to all area youth over age 3 and under 16. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 10 a.m. Fishing will get underway at 8 a.m. and end at noon.
The young person who catches the longest fish will win first prize. Special prizes will go to the first youngster to catch a fish, as well as the youth who catches the greatest total length of fish for the five-fish limit, and to the youngest boy or girl to catch a fish.
Every contestant is considered to be a winner at the event, said Harding; thus, each entrant can select a prize from an array of articles for outdoor activities, from soccer balls to bicycle helmets.
“Every young boy or girl who is old enough to hold a fishing pole and is under the age of 16 years and wants to fish or to learn to fish is encouraged to attend,” said Harding.
“As in previous years, the only thing that a young person needs to bring to the Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs Youth Fishing Derby is a supervising adult,” Harding said. “If the supervising adult is unable to provide the young person with a fishing pole or bait, the Presque Isle Elks, with the assistance of OMM Outfitters, Ben’s Trading Post, The Aroostook County Conservation Association, Taylor’s Worms and Plano, will see that they are equipped to go fishing.”
Additionally, if the supervising adult is unable to teach fishing skills, professional guides will be on hand to assist with instruction appropriate to the age and experience of the young angler.
The Elks will provide free hot dogs, potato chips, drinks, and ice cream for anglers and adult supervisors while they are at the derby.
State legislation established the Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs Youth Fishing Derby as an outdoor recreation activity sanctioned by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Accordingly, DIFW will stock Mantle Lake with legal size trout before the derby.
OMM Outfitters of Eagle Lake, with help from Plano, together with Ben’s Trading Post of Presque Isle, with the assistance of the Aroostook County Conservation Association, will assume the role as official outfitters for the fishing derby. Again this year, Taylor’s Worms of Orono will provide bait for the young anglers.
The Presque Isle Fish and Game Club is continuing its long tradition of providing the derby’s first place prize, a lifetime fishing license. Adults accompanying young people will be eligible for drawings, including a weekend stay at a lakeside lodge and season passes to the North Maine Woods.
For more information, call the Presque Isle Elks Lodge at 764-0985 or Harding at 764-0131.
