Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
BRUCE TIJAN, right, 5, of Gile, Wis., reels in his line during the Youth Fishing Jamboree Saturday morning at Weber Lake. At left, Roarke Tijan, 7, also of Gile, Wis., dips a stick into the water. Behind them, area residents go fishing.
By TOM STANKARD
UPSON, Wis. - Children and area residents put on their snowpants, gloves and hats Saturday to go fishing during the traditional Youth Fishing Jamboree at Weber Lake.
Battling winter-like weather after the fresh snowfall, children received a fishing rod and reel combination to encourage them to go fishing, keeping the traditional outdoor sport going.
Wearing a fluffy pink hat, Bruce Tijan, 5, of Gile, cast his line into the cold water.
Then, he patiently reeled in his line, but didn't catch a fish.
While he was fishing, Roarke Tijan, 7, also of Gile, dipped his feet in the water to see how cold it was. He said it was "really cold."
In case people got hungry, volunteers Jerry Johnson and Phil Aho manned the grill and made hot dogs and bratwursts provided by the Superior Bass Fishing Club. Soft drinks were also provided.
Members of the club, with the help of many other volunteers, assisted youths and their families at the jamboree.
The kids' opener, initiated by former Wisconsin game warden John Windt, was previously held on the opening weekend of Wisconsin's fishing season, but at least twice it snowed for the opener and the children were often bundled up in snowmobile suits.
The event was moved back a week this year so the Department of Natural Resources can stock the lake with trout for the kids.
On average, Tom Johnson, a volunteer, said around 100 people go fishing during the jamboree.
