The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-04-22
Expect Thousands
To Line Buckeye
Banks On Sunday
SpOrtsmen To Complete
Trout Stocking Program
Friday Evening


son!
If you're going to join the horde of
anglers prospecting" for the $500
cash prize on big Goldie", the prize
pickcrel, in Bluffton's annual fishing
derby, better stake an early claim to
sittin' room on the quarry banks be-
fore the derby's opening bomb Sun
day afternoon at 200.
Lured by the extra big jackpot
prize riding on big Goldie" and by
more than 200 other awards offered
for the tagged trout and pickerel,
several thousand fishermen are ex-
pected to gather here Sunday from
over an area of more than 100 miles.
1t is Bluffton's red letter event spon-
sored by the Community Sportsmen's
club.
The big pickerel was released in
Buckeye quarry Monday evening
after Cleon Trplett, representing the
Triplett Electric Instrument company
for whose golden anniversary the
prize catch was named, clamped a
golden tag number 1000 on his jaw.
The operation was supervised by
patrolman Bill Stonehill, club direct
ors, and witnessed by approximately
so persons who gathered to see a
large shipment of Lake Erie fish ar
rive for transfer into the big quarry.
Free fish poles for the kiddies, on
the-spot radio broadcasts, tractor
trailers operating a shuttle service
for visitors from their parked autos
to the lake, and gala outdoors activi-
ties will mark the opening of the
derby at 2 p. m.
Each of the first 100 children under
16 years of age accompanied by an
adult, registering at the shelter house
in Sportsmen's park, beginning at
1:30, will receive a free fishing pole
complete with hook, line and sinker.
The free pole plan is a project of
the Bluffton Business Mems associa-
tion, which is cooperating with the
Sportsmen's club in sponsoring the
annual event. Distribution of poles
will be supervised by Morris Fett and
Harold Klingler.
Two large loads of pickerel weigh
ing total of 1000 pounds were re-
leased in the quarry Monday follow
ing a previous load released in the
stocking program March 20. The
trout, which will arrive here from
eCastalia, Ohio, are due Friday even
ing at $50 when they will be tagged
and released in the quarry.
Previous experience indicates that
the trout will be ready to hit most
anything tossed into the water by
derby time, and the heavy catch on
opening day always adds excitement
to the event.
Last week end officials of the local
club were wringing hands in despair
when telephone message from Cas-
talia stated that many Of the big
trout had perished at the farm. High
water overfowing from an adjoining
marsh into rearing pools had killed
a large number of the trout. Chances
of obtaining the usual number of
.trouts for the local derby appeared
dim. Sunday, however, the Castalia
people reported that the problem had
been solved and 500 pounds trout for
the derby would be delivered.
To compete in the derby, anyone l6
wears of age and over must be a
member of the Community Sports
mems club. Cost of the membership
which includes fishing privileges IS
So. A special badge, provided mem
bers, must be worn by anyone 16 and
over while fishing. No state fishing
license is necessary.
Youngsters under 16 may fish with
out charge if accompanied by an
adult and also will get first crack at
the fish in the derby Sunday, for the
first Is minutes from until 2:15
D. m. is reserved for them.
Preliminary to the derby, fishing
has been closed at the Buckeye since
the week before Easter and no one
will be permitted to wet line in the
water until the aerial bomb signals
the start of the fishing event Sunday
Additional fish stocking, as finan-
ces permit, will continue at the Buck
eve quarry lake and also at the water
works quarry after the derby is
underway, club officials have an,
nounced.
Ninnows and other bait will be solo
at the lake Sunday as an accommo
dation to the anglers.
Radio prominence will be given the
derby when Radio Station Wilma
staff members make on-the-spo
broadcast transcriptions to be airet
nv the Lima station on a later pro
gram.
lunch stand will operate at tn
derby site on opening day sponsore'
hv the Business Mems Association.