Casting at the crack of dawn

PINE PLAINS — They either stayed up late or got up early, but there were a number of diehard fisherman lining up at the Lions Club Pavilion at 5 a.m. last Saturday for the 21st annual Lions Club Bass Tournament. Spanning four lakes in the area (Stissing, Twin Island, Hunn’s and Tamarack), the tournament raised funds for the eyeglass and hearing programs the Lions Club offers.

With registration at 5 a.m., and the horn signaling the start of the competition at 6, the fishing went on for the next six hours, ending at noon. From there, each two-person boat would weigh its 10 biggest catches, and whichever had the heaviest total by noon was the winner.

There were several categories to compete in, complete with cash prizes, but really it was about the joy of fishing and being in the presence of others who enjoy the sport.

“We also feed them afterwards,� said Don Spohr, who began the event 21 years ago and has coordinated it ever since. “Believe me, they come back and they’re hungry.�

It’s all catch-and-release for the bass tournament, and the Lions Club really encourages parents to bring the next generation with them.

“The kids enjoy it, and that’s what we want to see,� he said.

Although Wayne Sweller Jr. has been in the tournament for the last 12 years, he finally got around to taking his father, Wayne Sweller. They were spotted at Stissing Lake.

“You have to be patient,� Sweller said. “You never know, they could bite on the next cast.�

“The biggest thing is not knowing,� agreed his father. “I like the surprises.�

Last year’s single fish winner was around 4 pounds, 10 ounces, according to Spohr, although there have been much bigger catches in previous years.

“I remember one year for Tamarack was unbelievable,� he said. “The 10 fish total winner was 43 pounds!�

Spohr thanked Stewart’s Shops for donating the hamburger buns, hot dog rolls and donuts this year.

All in all those who attended said they were glad they did; they were even getting ready to plan their strategies for next year’s tournament by the time they reeled in their lines and headed to lunch.

Latest News

Water main cleaning in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN – Aquarion Water Company today announced a water main cleaning project in the company’s North Canaan system. The project is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 16, and is being undertaken to ensure customers in North Canaan continue to receive the highest quality water.

The cleaning for April 1 and April 4 (subject to change) will take place on the following streets:

Keep ReadingShow less
Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less