Donald
Teuma-Castelletti
CHAPEAU July 8, 2017
Fishermen young and old flocked to Chapeau last Saturday to participate in the Chapeau Lions Club annual pickerel and bass tournament.
With as many as 58 teams of two out on the water, the competition was tough for those seeking the grand prize, but two local boys came out on top.

This year, Shawn and Richard Martin, brothers from the Chapeau area, took home the grand prize as well as the prize for largest bass. Scoring themselves $1,500 for the grand prize and an additional $200 for the largest bass, the brothers were happy to be able to say they made some money off a day on the water.
No strangers to fishing competitions, they usually participate in over a dozen tournaments a year.
“We usually always place close to the top,” said Richard, after some thought.
Acting as the Lions Club biggest fundraiser for the year, teams of two hit the waters in an attempt to catch not only the biggest fish, but the largest pickerel and bass as well.
Teams pay an $80 registration fee and fish until 4 p.m.
The tournament is always scheduled for the second Saturday in July.
“We usually raise $7,500,” said Jacqueline Collin, a Lions Club member and one of the event organizers.
Collin explained the money raised will benefit a variety of local institutions, including schools and medical facilities throughout the year.
“We try to keep it all in the community,” she said.
Accompanying the fishing tournament was a barbeque and picnic, as well as a 50/50 draw. The big draw though came in the form of a surprisingly robust makeshift bar, serving not just beers and coolers, but offering mixed drinks as well.
Though the Martin brothers came out on top with their nearly 18 lb. haul, the runners-up put up a good fight.
Coming in with a 16.66 lb catch was Travis Surette and Rick Burnette, and placing third was Marc Lebel and Joe Doucette with their 15.19 lb. catch.