Club sergeant at arms Mike Touchinski reported that 58 adults and 20 children participated in the fairly relaxed atmosphere at Perkins Park in Big Bay. Touchinski and his wife, fellow club member Carole Touchinski, are residents of Marquette as Mike Touchinski grew up in Big Bay.

Mike Touchinski reported that the event has been going on for about two decades, but this year’s tournament was the first since the COVID-19 pandemic after the organization of the tournament fell dormant for several years.

He thanked a number of business sponsors for the club being able to offer cash and merchandise prizes and trophies for top finishers, including U.P. Whitetails donating a rod-and-reel combination to every children’s contestant.

The sponsors also included Dressler Mechanical, Ferrellgas, U.P. Rehab, Rotary Harbor, Tervo Insurance, Thill & Sons, Lakers Burgers and Pizza, Big Boy restaurant, Discount Tire, Service Pro, Independence Fuel, Papa Murphy’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, L&M Fleet, AutoZone, O’Reilly’s Auto, Lumberjack Tavern, Starbucks, Huron Mountain Ice Cream, Big Bay Motel, Huron Mountain Outfitters, NAPA, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Mr. Tire, Cram’s General Store, Thunder Bay Inn, Mares Z Doats, Getz’s and Midway Rentals.

Big Bay Sportsman Club trustee Terry Weigold of Halfway Location, top center, looks over some of the donated rod-and-reel combos donated by U.P. Whitetails to each child contestant at the group’s annual Family Fishing Tournament on June 7 in Big Bay. (Photo courtesy Mike Touchinski)

Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.