Students reel in wins at new youth ice fishing contest

• By Nicole Tuttle For MediaNews Group Feb 10, 2021

Although a beginner, Jackson Flasher was not on thin ice literally or figuratively when he competed in his first ice fishing tournament Jan. 30 in Armada. In fact, he won first place with a 6 5/8-inch bluegill.

“This is the first year I really ice fished,” Flasher said. “I just wanted to try something else. I like fishing already.”

The Armada Fishing Club hosted its first Youth Ice Fishing Tournament on the multi-species fish-stocked pond located at Armada High School. The Armada Fishing Club is based at the high school on Armada Center Road and is included as a varsity sport for high school students, said the club’s coach, Jenn Filber. Anchor Bay Fishing Club coach Shawn Elliott also provided assistance for the tournament.

Seven students participated from the Armada club, while 10 students from the Anchor Bay club participated.

Flasher, 14, of Ira Township, is an eighth-grader at Anchor Bay Middle School North and a member of the Anchor Bay Fishing Club. He has been fishing since the age of 7. He has been in the club since the sixth grade, expanding his knowledge particularly in the area of bait use.

“I was into fishing already and then I just saw the fishing club, and so I wanted to see what it was about,” Flasher said.

About 55 students participated in the tournament. First-, second- and third-place winners earned a trophy and gear.

Second place in the tournament went to Macomb Township resident Zach Waters for catching a 6 1/2-inch Shad fish.

Third place went to Richmond resident Lane Wylin for catching a 6-inch blue gill.

The tournament was open to students ages 18 and younger. With four two-hour time blocks offered, this allowed for the COVID-19 health and safety precaution of low numbers, Filber said. A portion of the tournament funds will go toward building a dock on the pond, allowing students to use more of the pond, Filber said.

“The tournament was one of the many ways the Armada Fishing Club reaches out to the community, sharing a safe and different experience for the youth,” Filber said. “So many children fish and then fish when they are adults — we are trying to bridge that gap and keep the youth interested in fishing and conservation.”

All Michigan Department of Natural Resources fishing rules applied to the tournament, and participants were required to bring their own bait, tackle and gear. Spearing was prohibited. Fish were to be caught, measured at the measuring station, and released. Participants were also required to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidelines, including remaining 6 feet apart and wearing a mask.

Elliott launched the Anchor Bay Fishing Club in April 2018. It began in the Anchor Bay School District and is open to middle and high school students within the district’s borders. There is no cost to join the club, which is noncompetitive and designed to promote learning about the sport. Students interested in many different types of fishing and with different skill levels are invited to join the club. Currently the club has 30 students.

During COVID-19 this winter, club members have been primarily fishing with their friends and family members, and the club has met online, Elliott said. Online meetings recently covered ice fishing basics.

Elliott said one key ice fishing tool students have learned to use is the spud bar, or ice chisel. The long piece of steel is generally 4 or 5 feet in length, with a tapered point on the end. It can be used to create holes in the ice at the onset of the season, but its primary use is as a safety device to test depth and solidity of ice. Discussions were also had regarding proper clothing and equipment for ice fishing.

Much like the Anchor Bay Fishing Club, Armada Fishing Club is a multi-species fishing club and students participate in regular meetings including professional speakers.

The Armada club comprises 15 members this year and offers discussion on a variety of fishing topics and techniques. Students do a service project and learn about conservation, as well as participating in local tournaments. During the pandemic, the Armada and Anchor Bay fishing clubs have conducted joint online meetings, Elliott said.

Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for MediaNews Group.