Anglers enjoy bright blue sky day at Camp Blue Skies fishing derby fundraiser
Twenty participants and 10 pro guides enjoyed plenty of blue skies, big catches, tasty BBQ, and baked goodies for a great cause during our Hooked On Camp fundraiser on Sept. 7-8 at YMCA Camp Harrison.
The annual event for anglers benefits our camps for adults with developmental disabilities and raises money for our Send a Camper to Camp fund.
After a rainy Thursday evening (actually, it was a bit of a monsoon), a beautiful sunrise greeted us for the 7:30 a.m. start. There's nothing like the anticipation of casting your line into Lake Broyhill on a crisp, clear morning. Once the fog lifted, a gorgeous blue sky created the perfect day for quality fishing time. Our dedicated anglers caught and released over 415 fish!
🎣Reel 'em in, weigh 'em out 🏆
After all that excitement on the water, it was time for the official weigh-in. Our anglers and the guides showed off their skills and packed the leaderboard with impressive catches.
The winners of the day (besides our campers):
1st Place Total Caught: 56 by Team Gerflor/Bonitz (Keith Wall, Tim Scheessele, and Captain David Williams)
Largest Bass: 4.05 lbs, by Brooks Runkle
Biggest 5 Bass: 15.10 lbs by Team Redline Design (Brooks Runkle, Russ Little, and Captain Shane Lineberger)
Largest Blue Gill: .89 lbs by Brandon Dyer
Smallest Bass: .26 lbs by Andrew Laing
💙💛Inspiring words & great results 💙💛
Hooked On Camp isn't just about fishing and food; it’s also a time to connect and inspire. Our amazing new Executive Director, Kim Conroy, shared her vision for Camp Blue Skies, while Carolyn Sampson, one of our beloved campers, moved us with her stories of adventure and personal growth at camp.
Ultimately, the derby isn’t just about fishing; it’s about raising funds for a great cause. Thanks to your support, we raised over $20,000 for our Send a Camper to Camp fund. That means more smiles, laughter, and unforgettable experiences for campers who need it most.
🙌 Special thanks to our supporters 🙌
Tomey BBQ: A massive shout-out to Brian Tomey, who smoked the BBQ on site for 24 hours and treated us to mouthwatering Que and the creamiest Mac & Cheese you can imagine. Seriously, it was BBQ heaven.
Kauffman & Company: Thanks for crafting those beautiful cutting boards that became our coveted trophies.
John Martin and True South Lures: Your prizes added extra excitement to our derby.
Keith Wall and Gerflor: Tomey's BBQ sauce was the perfect takeaway for our guests.
Jon Griswold: Your champion background frame was the ideal backdrop for our winners' photos.
A Reason to Bake: Elise and Carolyn, the delicious gluten-free carrot cake and pumpkin spice cupcakes that delighted our taste buds.
YMCA Camp Harrison: A huge shout-out to the staffers who made the day easy and breezy.
