LIMESTONE DAYS ANNUAL KID’S FISHING CONTEST

Finally…after several weeks of delays for some much needed rain, the fishing contest finally took place. We’re happy to report that it was a huge success, for the kids, the parents and us as well. On average, we usually have between 50 and 65 kids. This year though, 98 signed up to fish! Add a couple of parents, grandparents and well wishers for each, our numbers were several hundred strong!

Kids were starting to line up at 7:30 a.m. to register. This year there were two tables to register at. The first was staffed by Marlene Wessels. She got the kids signed up for the fishing contest. The second table was staffed by Jacque Davis. She was signing the kids up for the prize giveaway to be held later in the day. As each child registered, they received a bag, which contained hooks, sinkers, lures, stickers, patches and plenty of literature from different companies. There was also a table set up with some free fishing related items that both the kids and adults could pick from.

Shortly before 8:00 a.m., John Wessels used one of the Fire Department’s vehicles with a PA system to let everyone know the "rules" of the contest. As the clock hands hit 8:00, the call "Start Fishing" was heard around both lakes, and the contest was on!

At 9:00 a.m., John called a halt to the fishing, and all the volunteer judges brought their notebooks back to Marlene for the final tally. After the figuring was completed, the kids lined up to hear who had won the coveted silver dollars. These are presented annually by Earl Wiles in memory of his father, Virgil (Punt) Wiles. This year’s age categories were 1-3, 4-5, 6, 7, 8-9, 10, 11, 12-13. Each year the categories change depending on the number of entrants and their ages. Silver dollars are given in each age category for first, last, most, shortest and longest fish. This year was a record year for silver dollars, as 53 were awarded. There was a lot of "jingling" pockets amongst the kids.

The fish this year didn’t want to cooperate at first, but as the temperature warmed up, so did the fishing! A variety of types were caught, with bluegill being the most common, followed by several bass, a couple of channel catfish, a couple smaller crappie and one huge crawdad. No snakes or turtles this year, much to the dismay of the kids! The largest fish caught was an 18" catfish, with the smallest being a 1 ½" bluegill. Although mostly small in size, young Tanner Herman did manage to catch 80 fish in the one hour time, a record!

At 11:00 a.m., shortly after the parade, the kids all gathered on Main Street for the prize drawings. Jacque and Andy Davis got the prizes lined up while Mayor Everett Haines drew the names. Tim Vise shouted out the names, while John Wessels and Art Davis tagged prizes for those kids that couldn’t attend the drawing. Over 250 individual prizes were given away, ensuring every kid went home with something related to fishing. After almost a full hour or name calling, it was time to draw for the grand prize, a medium action rod/reel combo.

Mr. Art Bryant, National Director of the Izaak Walton League, Nebraska Division assisted us by drawing out the winner’s name. It went to Alex Abbott, daughter of Rick and Chris Abbott. She was really tickled. Rumor says that a couple of family members offered her a substantial amount of money to part with it, but there was no way!

This year’s event couldn’t have been such a huge success without the wonderful help from so many local volunteers, and the outstanding contributions we received from all across the globe! We’re going to try and pull it off again next year, hopefully bigger and better yet. Our reward for all the hard work was seeing the children having such a grand time, no matter what age.

Limestone Days is always held the last Saturday of June each year. Let this be a special invitation to join us next year and enjoy our hospitality. Until then….happy fishing!!!

Art & Jacque Davis John & Marlene Wessels Mayor Everett Haines Limestone Committee

1. l-r Art Davis, grand prize winner Alex Abbott, Art Bryant

1. Manning the registration booth. Left table Jacque Davis signs up kids for the prize drawings. Right table Marlene Wessels sign up kids for the fishing contest. With back to camera is Brian Deeter, outh volunteer. The plastic bags contain samples of hooks, weight, etc. for each kid.



2. Grandpa Mark Hamilton and Granddaughter Arien Henry at the west lake pulling in another fish.



3. This young man lost his shoe to the mud while retrieving a fish.



4. A youth volunteer measuring a fish.



5. Mom helping daughter with pole. The little girl seems to be wondering if they’ll ever bite



6. Tanner Herman getting another fish measured. He received the prize for most fish caught, 80!



7. Fishing on the walkway between the two lakes.



8. Ken Stratton and granddaughter wait for the next bite.



9. People fishing the walkway between the lakes.



10. A young man and his fish (bluegill) on the east lake, south side.



11. Mom helping daughter as her bobber on left goes under.



12. Youth volunteer Nick Switzer showing a small bluegill to a little girl. She wanted to keep it!



13. Two young boys fishing. Fish aren’t biting, so time for a snack!
14. Young lady sitting a chair with her Barbie pole.



15. Young lady with crappie.com hat on.

1. Young man watching his pole.



2. Adult volunteer Kevin Lindsey holding up a "really small" bluegill.



3. Kevin Lindsey measuring a bluegill.



4. 2 kids fishing.



5. Josh Schriener showing off his "whopper" catch.



6. Owen Bond wishing they’d hurry up a bite!



7. This young man decided to get a little closer to the fish!



8. Dad & son baiting their hook, while son selects the best one!



9. Earl Wiles handing out the coveted silver dollars to the category winners.



10. Newspaper photographer Jacque Salberg lining the kids up to take their "winner" group photo.



11. L-r Art Davis, Alex Abbott, Art Bryant
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