By Susan Monteleone
TUSTEN — January 31, 2006 – With the sun shining brightly, the Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs of Sullivan County’s Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby took place Saturday on Crystal Lake, which is located within the Ten Mile River Boy Scout property in the Town of Tusten.
The event, which is co-sponsored by the Democrat, is now in its sixth year.
The number of youngsters attending the derby has increased each winter. The inaugural Federation Youth Ice Fishing Derby attracted 46 children, while this year’s event attracted over 100 youth of all ages.
Despite the recent weather patterns, Crystal Lake sported 10 inches of ice, while other ice fishing events in the region had to be postponed until the ice cover on those lakes and ponds deepens.
On hand for the event were Jack and Kay Danchak, two of the founders of the event. They were thrilled with the turnout.
“Every year we get more children to participate and this year we even have a Boy Scout Troop up from the city taking their chances at ice fishing,” Kay Danchak said. “It is so great to see so many kids and their parents out on the ice having a great time.”
Jack Danchak, who is President of the Federation of Sportmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, stated, “It is fantastic to see over 100 kids out there on the ice having fun. We truly have set out what we where trying to do which was simply, if we can get the kids away from the video games and TV and just outside having fun, then we truly have accomplished our purpose for the day.”
Also on hand was Hank D’Auria, who is the Youth Chairman of the Federation and coordinated Saturday’s event.
“Every child who is here today gets a prize, and every child/youth here today is also a winner,” D’Auria commented. “The kids were out here since eight this morning and if they are not catching a fish, they are just having fun on the ice.”
Four-year-old Daniel D’Auria caught a fish at the event and simply noted, “I am having a lot of fun here today and I caught that fat guy in the bucket.”
By “fat guy,” the young angler was referring to a sizable fish that he snagged.
“I caught a fish, too, and I named him Flip-Flop and Daniel named his Spike,” said 5-year-old Jason Gorr, who was fishing with Daniel D’Auria. “I am looking forward to doing this again and it is great to be out here with my cousins.”
The Danchaks noted that the event would not be possible without the help of the many people, organizations and businesses that donated to the event.
“We have our co-sponsor the Sullivan County Democrat, who sponsored this with the Federation, and then we have Ten Mile River who donated the use of the land to use for the event, The Sullivan County Longbeards, Pine Bush Equipment and the Iroquois Hunting Club, that donated the use of the ATVs today and Ken’s Can’s who donated the port-a-pots,” Kay Danchak explained. “Without these people, none of this would be possible and we cannot thank them enough.”
The event offered all of the youngsters a day out on the lake with a parent, free refreshments and – especially for those kids who reeled in a big fish –memories to last a lifetime.