SAULT STE. MARIE — The St. Marys Walleye Club’s fifth annual Veterans Fishing Day on Saturday, July 12 will bring together volunteers and veterans for a day of fun and fishing.
Last year, the event had 62 veterans from across the U.P. participate. Organizers said they expect this year to be a lot bigger, with more than 78 veterans already signed up.
“We wanted a way that our club could give back to our community, and why not hold a fun event for our local veterans?” said event organizer Samantha Marzean. “There’s events like this all over the state but there’s nothing in the Eastern U.P., so we thought this was the best way we could give back and it keeps getting bigger every year.”
Veterans will be paired up with volunteer boat captains, who will take the veteran anglers out onto the St. Marys River in their own personal boats. The club is still looking for more volunteers who want to help out with the day.
“People volunteer once and get hooked when they see the looks on their faces,” said Marzean. “Last year was the first year that I could volunteer personally and it was such a joy, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The event concludes with a fish fry for all the participants and their families. Veterans will also receive awards based on who caught the biggest fish in different categories, such as biggest walleye and biggest pike. Prizes for first place will be announced at the event.
“It’s our biggest event of the year,” said Marzean. “It’s our fifth anniversary and it’s going to be our biggest vets fishing day yet.”
Local businesses, such as Subway, Northern Sand and Gravel, and Superior Roasting, are donating breakfast, lunch and coffee for the participants. Veterans will also go home with a coffee mug and a t-shirt to commemorate the day.
The day of fishing begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 12 at Conley Point Boat Launch. It will last until 2 p.m., when the fish are weighed. The fish fry afterwards will take place at Cozy Corners in Barbeau. Anglers are required to have a fishing license, but other gear will be provided.
— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Veterans Fishing Day brings together volunteers and veterans on the St. Marys River
Reporting by Brendan Wiesner, Sault Ste. Marie News / The Sault News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
