The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Youths meet hungry bluegill at Findley Lake
There was a whole lot of fishing and a whole lot of catching for area youths who wet a line at Findley State Park on June 3.
The Black River Game Club held its annual Youth Fishing Derby for children age 3 to 15. It was the second year at Findley State Park and at least the 11th overall for the club, which serves hunters and anglers of Lorain and Medina counties.
“This is nice, easy fishing for the kids and they have a ball,” said Wiz Moore, club president. In his day job, Moore is the naturalist for the park, which is operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks & Watercraft.
The tournament also is a way to encourage young people to try
outdoor activities and find hobbies that will help them keep out of trouble, said club member Andy Emrisko, a retired charter fishing captain who now lives in Litchfield.
The youths competed for prizes donated by Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, B&T Shooting Supplies, the Dairy Queen of Grafton and club members. The Ohio Division of Wildlife provides a grant for bait and supplies.
On June 3, Findley Lake apparently was home to northern Ohio’s hungriest sunfish. Some children barely had cast worms on hooks when the fish started biting.
Sisters Emily and Madelyn Hanson of Wadsworth entered the competition with help from their parents, Lacey and Steve Hanson, and moral support from younger siblings Grady, 3, and Abby, 1.
The family made their first trip to camp at the park for the weekend and they saw the tournament on the activity list, Lacey Hanson said.
“They just wanted to try it today and they’re liking it,” Lacey Hanson said. Emily, 9, and Madelyn, 7, each caught their first fish ever, and the bluegill kept biting.
Carl and Kathie Ruther, of Barberton, extended their camping trip a few days so grandchildren Kylie, Brock, and Reese Ohlson could participate.
“They love to fish,” Kathie Ruther said. “They don’t get it from me,” she added with a laugh.
Kylie Ohlson, 13, won the age 10 to 15 category for largest fish, hooking a nineinch bluegill that qualified for a state “Fish Ohio” recognition award.
Reese Ohlson, 10, won her age group and the derby overall for most fish, landing 57. She spent as much time walking her fish to the measuring table as she did standing on the lakeshore.
“I tell her she’s got a big bucket down there, they’re all in that bucket,” said club member Andy Emrisko as she brought in another fish. Reese Ohlson said her secret to successful fishing was using white waxworms for bait.
Avery Fedyk, 8, of Strongsville, took a break from hunting for dragonfly nymphs to win the largest overall catch with a 17 ½ inch largemouth bass. She was fishing with her parents, Alli and Russel Fedyk, and grandfather Steve Fedyk, a Black River Game Club member.
As the owner of two bearded dragon lizards, Avery Fedyk said she did not mind baiting her hook with waxworms. Her family said Avery complained the bass made her shoulders hurt as she reeled it in.
“It’s heavy,” she said.