Andover: 28th Anniversary Annual Kids Fishing Contest Another Success Despite Mother Nature

Photo provided

The Andover Wetlands Annual Kids Fishing Contest celebrated its 28th    anniversary with another successful event.  There were 118 contestants in attendance from Andover as well as Alfred Station, Almond, Allentown, Arkport, Addison, Allegany, Black Creek, Greenwood, Fillmore, Kendall, Wellsville, Wayland, Scio, Little Genesee, Rexville, Belmont, Hornell, Cameron, Angelica, Richburg, Allentown, Fillmore, Portageville, Virginia, Allentown, Kendall, Little Genesee and Ulysses, PA. 

Trophies were awarded in the following categories:
5 & Under: First Place: Andrew Wilfritz of Addison with a 17 ¾ in 2 lb, 2.4 oz. Carp, Second Place: Wynter Cain of  Andover with a 14 1/4  in 1 lb. 5.6 oz Bass and Third Place: Ezra Auman of Andover, NY for a 10 ½  in 9.2 oz Bullhead.  

Winners in the 6 – 8 age group were:
First Place: Isabelle Seiger of Cameron Mills for a 17 1/2 in 2 lb 3.5 oz Carp and Second Place:  Bentley Monahan of Wellsville with a 16 ½ in 1 lb. 10.6 oz Bass and Third Place: Marcus Frazier of Portageville for a 16 in 2lb. 0 oz Bass. 

In the 9-11 age group:

First Place- Lucas Frazier of Portageville for a 18 1/2 in 2 lb 1.8 oz Carp, Second Place: Paul Giovanniello of Wellsville with a 16 ¾ in 1 lb 4 oz  Carp, and Third Place: Dominic Cassidy of Fillmore for a 16 ¼  in 1 lb  13 oz Carp.

For the 12 – 15 age group:

First Place: Cooper Brockway of Wellsville with a 17 3/4  in 1 lb   11 oz Carp, Second Place: Riley McMichael of Alfred Station for a 14 1/2  in 1 lb  8.4 oz Bass, Third Place: Ethan MacCrea of Andover, for a 12 ½  in 14.4 oz Bass.

Trophies were also presented for Largest Fish: Ben Edwards of Greenwood for a 22  in  3 lb. 3.4 oz Carp,  Smallest Fish: Olivia Freeborn of Rexville for a 2 3/4 in .2 oz Bluegill. Most Fish: Brody Carlin with 22 fish.  Other categories were won Largest Bass – Paul Hess of Fillmore for a 2 lb 6 oz 16 3/4 in Bass, the Largest Carp – Brooklyn Seager of Cameron for a 2 lb 1.4 oz 19 1/2 in Carp.

Special thanks go to Pepsi Cola of Elmira and Frito Lay of Olean as the corporate sponsors for all their help.  Also, Charlie Joyce and Otis Eastern Corporation together with Burger King of Wellsville, Richard Joyce, Pam & John Gena, Maier’s Market of Andover, Stroehman’s of Olean and Wal-Mart, Wegman’s, Giant Food Mart, Pizza King of Wellsville, and Larry’s Latrines of Hornell and Hal Sisson of Addison for their donations.  The trophies were provided by the Town of Andover and Sports Fanatic of Hornell. 

Also, special thanks to Eagle Claw, Magic Baits, Tackle Direct. Zebco Family Fishing Program, Gitzit Lures, and Betts Baits, B. J.’s Wholesale Club of Olean, HT Enterprises, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fish USA, Zoom Bait Company, Berkley Tackle, and Wright McGill for their donations.

Thank you’s also must go to the Town and Village of Andover for their continued support of this annual event; to the Andover Lions Club for their generous donation of the tent, and the Andover Rod & Gun Club, also special thank you’s to the local companies and organizations for their donations and support: Harold Ford, Inc., Northern Lights Candles, Andover Hardware, Allegany County SCOPE, International Machinist Union #1580 of Wellsville, L.C. Whitford, Steuben Trust Company, and VFW Post 2530 of Wellsville, NYS Conservation Officers Association, Crego’s Birdsall Inn, LaForge Disposal Service, ALCO Federal Credit Union, ServU Credit Union, Alfred Pharmacy, Fassett Lane Lumber, First Citizens Community Bank, Little Sicily’s Pizza of Alfred,  Middaugh Real Estate, Short’s Oil Co., Vars Engineering & Development, Wellsville Lions Club, General Roofing, Elks Lodge #1495, American Legion Post 702, Rockburgers,  Wilken’s Appraisal, The Village Pub, Simmons Rockwell, J. W. Embser & Sons Funeral Home, of Wellsville, Root Contracting, Cartwright’s Maple Tree Inn, Maple City Savings Bank, for their generous donations.

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful volunteers who without their help, and giving up of  their time we could not make this annual family event such a great success.