News Photo by Michael Gonzalez Rune Rivard catches a fish on the rocky shore of Bay View Park for the Children’s Tournament on Sunday.
ALPENA – Parents took their children to boats or the shore earlier this week to try and catch the biggest fish for the PNC Bank Kiddie Classic.
Fifty-five children participated in the tournament, which took place Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Rune Rivard, an 8-year-old fisherman, had been out with his family on the rocky shore of Bay View Park, trying to catch a fish.
“I started fishing this year in the early summer when I started catching more and more fish,” Rivard said. “At the moment we are catching a lot of fish on the floats. So I’m using a hook and a bobber right now.
Rune’s mother, Amber Rivard, said the family heard about the event on Facebook and decided to give the tournament a try.
“We usually spend the weekends fishing and boating anyway,” Amber said. “So this will be his first fishing tournament.”
Three different age groups each received first, second and third place trophies for the biggest fish.
Aiden Dawn, the first-place winner in the 11-14 age category, said he has been at the tournament for about six years.
“It’s my favorite,” Dawn said. “It’s just spending time with family, catching fish. You just have to find the right place to fish.
The kiddie angling festivities continued through the week with the Youth Offshore Tournament on Wednesday. Team Andrzejewski took top honors with a total weight of 36.9, followed by my team Wirgau (28.25) and team Gagnon (25.45).
Bridgette Andrzejewski won first place in the biggest fishing contest with a catch of 14.15 pounds. Henry Wirgau took second place (12) and Remington Gagnon took third place (9.45).
The fishing tournament during the festival continues this weekend with the regular eight-day tournament continuing today and Sunday. A super two-day tournament will take place today and Sunday.
Brown Trout Festival Ranking
brown trout
Shawn Muszynski 14.1
Brylie Carstens 6.8
David Rensberry 6.8
Tim Wieczorkowski 6.25
Don Harrison 6.05
Salmon
Joe Mellon 28.4
Dylan Orr26.75
Jonathan Wiecorkowski 24.90
Tyler Rivette 23.15
Boone Tanner 20.8
lake trout
Mike Tanner 26.0
Lady McCall 22.85
Pete Doubek 21.65
Ken Dragiewicz 20.65
Kyle Wirgau 18.65
Steelhead
Dave Brege 12.7
Jim Spens 12.1
Don Harrison 10.35
Jason Snyder 10.10
Dan Bouchard 8.60
Walleye
Tyler 8.9 Auger
Mat Matuzak 8.0
Kevin Graham 7.4
Don Mischley 6.85
Chris Wade 6.4
