February 2, 2019 Lake Wallenpaupack (The Big Lake) over shadowed the blessed day of the famed “Dirt Pig” with growing numbers as 49 hard water anglers burrowed into 10”s of solid ice searching for recorded fame and gifted fortune with precise timing and augured speed that surely would’ve been envied by the honored excavating rodent. Overlooking their individual goals of landing the biggest fish for the annual event everyone united with stern acknowledgement the primary purpose of the seasonal fund raiser in support of Pennsylvania’s hunting heritage. $360.00 will be hand carried to the treasure of the Unified Sportsman of Pennsylvania to foster their outstanding efforts toward promoting sound deer management by hunters for hunters in the Keystone State and defeating the existence of Chronic Wasting disease (CWD).
New champions were once again crowned with divisional titles sportingly relinquished by their predecessors. Greg Pawelski dragged in the largest fish of the day to begin his Senior Division reign with a 25 ½” obese chain pickerel worth $100. Greg’s fish expired on the frozen surface with 4’ of monofilament line attached to an embedded #4 treble hook endured from a previous battle with a tip-up. Three participants threatened his lead throughout the 7 hour event compiling clone 25”predators of the same species. Gerry Miller, Previous Senior division champ Ed Rojek and part-time fisherman Robbie Galdieri jammed the under card for a $90 prorated split of the elevated purse respectively bumped up by derby official $5 due to the unusually enlarged statured size of the noted evasive fish.
The junior division once again change hands in a big way as 10 year-old Chris Fortese pulled in 1st & 2nd place prize money with 2 saw tooth pickerel stretching out at 23 ½” & 22 5/8” respectively for a total cash prize of $150. Third place and $25 went once again to the Morris fishing blood line. Brian, younger brother of famed Junior Division winner Danny hooked his predator fish just under the 22” mark.
Notably and with continual sporting honor the sponsors of the W & M’s derby continually rewarded the young anglers with encouraging fishing gifts as renowned Taxidermy Artist, Rich Mierzejewski of Dickson City, Pa (570-955-6722) registered the Junior winner for a traditional free fish mount. His time, personal cost and professional ability single-handily exceeded our donated purse! And for the second consecutive year One Stop Sport Shop located on Luzerne Street, Scranton, Pa filled an ice fishing jet-sled with winter tackle shared by all the junior participants. Our overwhelming gratitude toward these two loyal sponsors has always been appreciated and no doubt their kindness is the bait needed to draw participants.
Also in notable sporting contrast the spectator crowd shared their hard earned financial wealth with caring loyalty by donating a $100 sum without ever baiting a hook. Sincere thanks goes directly to JoAnn, Debbie, Donna, Merrick and Jacob whom “ TRIED” to claimed anonymous support but that can never go totally unnoticed.
Although the Grand Masters Division title still remains unclaimed their personal monetary backing totaled $60 by only three fishermen. Environmental Philanthropist Jimmy Caputo and seasoned ice fishing brothers Joe & Paul Ulicny opened their wallets very wide for this just cause, combining the announced $150 purse for the highest division of fishing wisdom with their individual donation the Grand Masters storm the benefited event with $210 of supporting revenue. With the spectator and Masters division Dollar amount surged together their $310 donated amount no doubt calculates $50 cash total from the largest fishing division being the senior division. With 40 signed participants, we sincerely thank those that donated and remind the many that didn’t that “Givers can only give so much, because takers can’t! “ Same date and place next year!!!!!! Go USP!!!!
