Caleb Nickerson
BRYSON Aug. 13, 2017
A few dozen enthusiastic anglers gathered at the Bryson boat launch on Sunday for a fishing tournament organized by the Bryson Grand Calumet Portage Fire Department .
Organizer Darcy Burnett said that in the past the department has hosted a large bass tournament, but this year they decided to do a smaller tournament to attract a more recreational crowd.

“This year we decided to do a smaller type tournament for smaller anglers to come out,” he said. “This one here was actually non-profit, all the registration fees we got we handed back out in prizes today. We put on a little barbeque too and that just basically covers the cost of our food.”
Though it was originally planned for Saturday, the tournament was postponed to Sunday due to the weather. Around 40 anglers came out and were treated to a beautiful day on the water, seeking out the biggest pike, pickerel and bass they could sink a hook into. Burnett said that the turnout was decent despite the delay.
“People had fun and that’s all that counts at the end of the day,” he said.
Rick Burnett brought in the biggest bass of the day at 4 lbs. 6 oz., followed by Zack Labrie with 3 lbs. 11 oz. Burnett also took third with a catch of 3 lbs. 4 oz.
Geoff Boutilier caught the heaviest pike by a wide margin, with a whopping 5 lbs. 9 oz., followed by Zack Labrie with 3 lbs. 5 oz. and Boutilier again in third with 2 lbs. 4 oz.
John Lamothe reeled in the biggest pickerel at 1 lb. 12 oz., followed by Spencer Despres who took second and third with 1 lb. 11 oz. and 1 lb. 8 oz., respectively.
In the kids division, first place went to Brent Labrie, followed by Adam Lafonte and Zoé Burnett.