Beginning in 2010 Republic Township will sponsor an Annual Fishing Derby.
Each year the Michigan Department of Natural Resourses (MDNR) designates one weekend (2 days) as free fishing weekend or NO license required for anyone...
Mr. Paul Polanski has graciously agreed to co-ordinate the Republic Township Fishing Derby for 2010. Below is his vision of the event.
Fishing Derby in Republic June 12, 13, 2010
Plans are being developed for a major fishing derby to be held during the free fishing weekend in June 2010. Hopefully the contest will draw people from other states and lower Michigan because of of the possibility of a lucky angler winning $15,000.00. We have watched golf contests where a golfer could win a car or lots of cash if they could make a hole-in-one. This is accomplished by purchasing an insurance policy prior to the contest and the insurer would pay the prize money if the golfer got a Prize Promotions, in Richardson Texas is the insurer that would provide the $15,000.00 prize for a $750.00 insurance premium. 10 tagged fish would be released in the Michigamme River a week prior to the contest and the first TAGGED fish that is caught is compared to an identification number that is pre-recorded and kept in a sealed envelope.If the numbers match then the angler is eligible to receive the $15,000.00 cash prize.Other tagged fish that are caught would receive lesser cash prizes or donated prizes.After talking with various fish hatcheries, legal size walleyes for stocking are not available.
!6” to 18” Brown trout are readily available and these would be the fish that would be tagged and released.I have talked with the MDNR and as long as the fish come from a hatchery that complies with Michigan laws with regard to disease-free fish and a free application to stock fish in Michigan public waters is filed, then the contest has met the Michigan DNR requirements.
I would solocit 5 sponsors to pay $150.00/each to pay the $750.00 insurance policy fee.Tenative planning for angler fees would be $25.00/adult male, $15.00/adult female, and$5.00/ each child 12 and under to accomodate a family fishing outing.The Republic Lions club has indicated an interest in providing food and beverages for the two day event. This venue is going to require a lot of help and I am announcing this early, so people can think about the event and reccomend ideas and donate their time for the event which could generate a fair amount of revenue for the town of Republic. A suggestion with regard to the net proceeds could be earmarked for an additional dock, and use the rest to stock walleye fingerlings in the Michigamme River. I plan to have an open meeting at the town hall earlyt next year and I am inviting anyone that would like to contribute their ideas,time, prizes or anything that would make this event successful. You can e-mail suggestions or ideas to ppolanski@miuplink.com. Paul Polanski
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Fishing is for kids....right....no matter what their age.
Click on the photo to enlarge. Click on enlarged photo again to enlarge future.
photos courtesy www.troutnut.com
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