KIDS’ ANNUAL FISHING DERBY

‘I love coming here every year’

Children’s smiles were plentiful Saturday on the shores of the Detroit River with each fish reeled in during the 59th annual Windsor Sportsmen Club fishing derby.

“I just feel self-accomplished,” said a beaming 12-year-old Logan Bueckert after pulling in a 16-inch silver bass.

The youngster travels with his family every year from outside Chatham for the derby.

“I have been doing this since I can walk,” he said. “I love coming here every year.”

There were 80 boys and girls under the age of 12 entered this year’s fishing derby, which took place on the riverfront at Assumption Park.

Each youngster had four hours to catch what they could, with prizes awarded to the largest fish, the largest perch and most fish caught.

Bueckert actually won the prize for the largest fish of the day after reeling in a 28-inch pike.

Along with the sportsmen’s club, the longtime event was sponsored this year by Wally’s Baits and Canadian Tire.

“It gets kids off their electronics and introduces them to fishing so they can see what it’s all about,” said Doug Brunelle, in his fifth year as the fishing derby’s organizer.

Saturday marked his 45th year participating in the event one way or another since his own father brought him to the derby as a child. He’s also taken part with his children, along with his current role helping to run the event.

“It means a lot to me,” Brunelle said. “I’m proud to be part of this. It’s great to have that legacy with something our grandfather started out with.”

The Szabo family of LaSalle with their two boys — eight-year-old Alex and five-year-old Calvin — were attending the derby for the second time.

“It’s a great event,” said mother Cheryl Szabo. “Everyone should come out and give it a try.

“It’s a real community atmosphere; it’s family time and also gets the boys to learn and experience how to fish.”

Her son, Alex, was especially excited having already pulled in three silver bass — 15, 14 and 12 inches in length — about halfway through the derby.

“It’s nice to see their faces and how rewarding it is for them when they catch a fish,” his mother said.

PHOTOS: NICK BRANCACCIO Juliette Scalia, 4, isn’t sure what to think as she’s hoisted up by her grandmother, Debi Paetkau, for a close look at a silver bass held by her great-grandmother, Judy Whiteford. The family was among those casting lines at the Windsor Sportsmen Club fishing derby Saturday.

Ivy Meloche, 3, runs to tell her cousin that she just caught a fish.

Judy Whiteford patiently waits for a nibble with great grandchildren Mya Meloche, 2, behind left, and Ivy Meloche, 3, centre.

Logan Bueckert, 12, pulls a silver bass from the Detroit River on Saturday.