Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Lindsey Fontecchio, of Hurley, baits the hook for her son, Banx, 5, who wasn't quite comfortable with putting worms on hooks quite yet, at Saturday's kids' fishing event at Weber Lake in Upson. Banx was one of 40 kids to receive a free rod and reel from event sponsor the Superior Bass Club. Family friend Melissa Dyon, pictured in back, brought her daughter Brooklyn, 3.
By TOM LAVENTURE
UPSON, Wis. - The Saturday Wisconsin fishing opener offered good weather and anglers at Weber Lake had a little extra special fun for families attending the "Kids Fishing Event."
Around 150 participants found their spot along the wide shoreline of Weber Lake, adjacent to the White Pine Ski Resort in Upson. The 17th annual event was open to all children with the first 40 who registered getting a free rod and reel from the Superior Bass Club.
The purpose of the event was to get kids and families to enjoy the outdoors together," said "Big Fish Joe" Walker, a member of the event sponsor Superior Bass Club. He was one of several club volunteers present to hand out poles, bait and help teach kids fishing techniques.
"We teach them about catch and release or they can keep it and we'll fillet it for them," Walker said.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources stocked the lake with about 7,000 fish, he said. The DNR also provided a $250 grant to help with event expenses.
Area business sponsors and individual donations provided additional prizes for the kids along with a lunch, Walker said. The weather was good, but after the 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year was an extra special event
Lindsey Fontecchio, of Hurley, was present with her son, Banx, 5. She said it was great to see the prizes for the kids and just to have a nice day to be outside.
"I grew up by Saxon Harbor, so I grew up fishing," Fontecchio said. "So, I am just introducing my son and hopefully he will be interested when he's older."
Jessica DeRosso and Becca Fleming, two Superior Bass Club members who volunteered to help out for the event, said the club members look forward to this just for the kids. This isn't a fundraiser or tournament - it's just about getting the kids exposed to fishing, Flemming said.
"We do bass tournaments throughout the summer," Fleming said. "We pick different lakes throughout the area that we fish out of and we usually have around 25 boats."
