Tournament Hooks Children on Fishing

SEELEY LAKE- Dozens of boats cruised around Seeley Lake on Saturday morning-a common sight for a weekend morning. The unusual sight was the sheer number of kids on board each boat, trolling the waters for the biggest fish they could catch.

The 15th annual Seeley Lake Kids Fishing Tournament took place Saturday, June 24. Children ages seven through 13 spent several hours on the lake competing for the heaviest overall catch.

Forty-seven kids turned out for this year's tournament-20 more than last year. The eight fishing boats were barely enough to take all the participants out.

"It was way beyond what we thought," said Becki Robbins, one of the event's organizers. "Every year we have to plan a little extra."

Seeley Lake's Aspen Fowler, affectionately called "pike-killer" by her father, took first place for the biggest fish and heaviest overall catch. The 10-year-old caught two pike in her first tournament, one weighting 4.89 pounds with a total catch of 7.29 pounds.

Oceana Schmitz from Missoula placed second with a total catch of three and a half pounds. Sam Welch of Seeley Lake finished third with 2.18 pounds and Connor Matthew from Condon and Jeremiah St. Germain finished fourth and fifth.

The free tournament started at 7 a.m. when boats were loaded and launched from Big Larch Campground. Participants were given four hours on the lake to catch as many fish as possible before returning for the weigh in.

After all the fish were weighed, the tournament crowd adjourned to Cory's Valley Market for a barbecue lunch and awards ceremony.

In addition to prizes for the most overall weight, all participants received a plaque and shirt.

Bob Maddox announced the awards. Next year Maddox will be taking over organization of the tournament from Gary Ikerd, who planned the initial event back in 2002.