It took a few years to do it but Gary Goulin has finally landed the big one.
The experienced angler was named the winner of the annual AMA Sportsmen Club’s Walleye Tournament last Sunday afternoon.
“We were out by Pelee Island on the east end on Thursday, it was mid-day,” said Goulin of when and where he reeled in his over 30-inch winner.
A year ago, he finished third overall with a catch of 28-and-a-half inches.
Parking cars to help out with the club’s biggest fundraiser of the year on Saturday, he said he used a standard worm harness to land the walleye.
“It’s the first time I’ve won and I’ve been at it for over 30 years.”
Asked what he did with the winner after it was measured, he said he graciously gave it to the person who was weighing the fish. Goulin said he once brought in a 32-incher but that was a few years back.
The derby once again was spread over nine days from June 21 to June 29 with the wrap-up at the AMA Sportsmen’s Club in Amherstburg.
Parking was at a premium on the weekend as hundreds showed up for the event that not only saw prizes presented for the biggest fish in a few different categories, but 1,000 tickets were sold for the tournament.
“This has been going on for 40 years. We’ve got some special prizes this year including outdoor motors,” said derby chairman Pat Pettypiece.
The prize tables were overflowing and besides the motors, there were barbecues and of course, lots and lots of fishing gear.
There was a separate draw for a kayak and in all, over 250 prizes to be won. Cash prizes were given out of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000.
With Goulin taking first place with longest walleye, second place went to Nancy Ridsdale at 29-1/4”. Third place went to Larry Truman at 28-7/8” with the ladies longest fish award going to Tracy Gritke at 27-1/4”.
The youth longest walleye went to Joseph Bacha at 25-1/8”. The longest sheephead was caught by Dustin Bailey at 29-1/2”. The longest catfish went to Chad Boyle at 31”. Longest perch first place went to Jeff Faucher at 13-1/4” with second place going to Miriam Wood at 13-1/8”. Third place was Luke Truman at 12-5/8”.
The longest small mouth bass first place went to Pet Metelka at 21-5/8” with Shelly Knapp getting second at 20-1/2”. Third place went to Denise D’Alimonte at 20”. Since this was the 40th anniversary, the club paid out 50 more prizes. Winning walleye measures over 30-inches at Sportsmen Club’s tournament
By Fred Groves
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