(Chelsea Update would like to thank Don Bell for the information in this story.)
Although there are monetary prizes, winning the annual Chelsea American Legion Post 31 Winter Carnival Fishing Derby is more about bragging rights.
So, after two years of warm weather that made the ice unsafe for the ice fisherman and forced the cancellation of the event, last Saturday and Sunday’s fishing derby was not only a go, but also provided a different sort of weather conditions for the about 70 adults and more than 20 youth participants.
“It was a great turnout considering they had to trudge through a foot of snow and auger through 18 inches of ice to be able to fish,” said Fishing Derby Chairman and Co-Chairman of the Winter Carnival Don Bell.
We’ll start with the youth.
In the Panfish division, Hunter Allen was first, Brogan Merkel was second and Veronica Blissick was third.
In the Perch division, Veronica Blissick was first, Chase Dettling finished second and third.
In the adult division:
The Pike winner was John Preston. Second went to Jason Milkey and third went to Don Kohout.
In the Panfish class, Ben Merkel was first, Brendon Thibodeau was second and Debbie Strahle was third.
The Perch class winner was Don Kohout. Joe Dettling took second and Ed Blissick was third.
