By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Overcast skies, whirling winds, and a delayed start time of nine hours didn’t deter anglers from trying to hook the big one at the Rotary Fishing Derby on Saturday.
Held at the Crossroads Industrial Pond, the original start time of 9 a.m. for the Bucyrus Rotary Club’s first year hosting the fishing derby was delayed until 6 p.m. due to thunderstorms rolling through the area. Despite the weather and time setback, over 40 anglers came out to try to see who could catch the biggest fish.
Reeling in his first fish to the banks of the pond with his friends, Jayden Houser reflected on the enjoyment of fishing.
“I enjoy the peace and quiet that you get to sit waiting for the fish to get a hook on it, and then you get the excitement to cast it in and yank it back and stuff like that,” Houser said.
Taking her family out to the fishing derby was Lindsay Glass. Glass reflected on the day.
“The kids wanted to fish, and have some fun. It is really nice out here, we have never been here but it is nice,” she said.
Fishing with her mom, Amy Durham, and little brother, Owen Durham, on the east bank of the pond, Natalie Hankins was trying to land her first fish of the day.
“I just wanted to fish and I like fishing,” Hankins said. “I like reeling in the fish and seeing what they look like, and all of the different kinds of fish.”
Prior to the derby starting, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources released over 700 rainbow trout into the Crossroads Industrial Pond, a practice that began in 1996 at the behest of then-Bucyrus Mayor Doug Wilson.
Wilson, now a Rotarian, spoke about the fishing derby.
“The Rotary Club of Bucyrus experienced a very successful First Annual Rainbow Trout Fishing Derby with corporate support from WBCO/WQEL radio, Cooper’s Mill, Crossroads Creations, Spherion and Timken Bearing Plant,” Wilson said. “As with all fishing encounters, some caught many and some caught none.
“Wax worms drew more strikes than other baits tested during the derby,” Wilson continued. “Game Warden Nathan Kaufman brought a rod and reel combo for the prizes selection and ODNR bobbers, which he handed out to the anglers.”
Wilson said they had 40 anglers ages three to 15 participating in the event, with a few adult anglers casting alongside them. He added that there have been reports of some very big fish out in the pond that have been able to outsmart anglers year after year. Wilson then invited everyone to get a fishing license along with fishing tackle and head out to the Crossroads Industrial Pond with friends and family for hours of fishing enjoyment.