After forty-seven years of fishing, one man's dream came true on Sunday as Dave Durstine of Tidioute won the title of Champion Angler at this weekend's 52nd Annual Pennsylvania Championship Fishing Tournament in his hometown.
Durstine qualified with a Northern Pike weighing in at 6.06 pounds on Saturday night and on Sunday his total weight was 21.05, earning him the title.
Charlie Matie of Clarendon was second with a total of 17.81 on Sunday, and Terry Cotterman of Tidioute took third place with 16.9 for a Sunday total.
Article Photos
Photos by Linda Scott
2011 champion anglers
Above left, Michelle Cantrell, Miss Tidioute, on left, presented the top three winners in the 2011 Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament in Tidioute this weekend with their trophies, including, from left, Champion Angler Dave Durstine of Tidioute, second-place Charlie Matie of Clarendon, and third-place Terry Cotterman of Tidioute. In the photo at right, Adam Barker won the Junior Champion Angler title this weekend at the Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament in Tidioute with his 17.6 total. For story, see page B-3.
On day one, there was a total of three Musky with a total weight of 59.4; 18 Northern Pike with a total weight of 98.78; 28 Walleye with a total weight of 58.29; 217 Small Mouth Bass with a total weight of 311.62, and;10 Trout with a total weight of 8.25 bringing the first totals to 276 fish and a total weight of 592.51.
Sundays totals are: no Musky; three Northern Pike with at total weight of 19.25; four Walleye with a total weight of 6.55; 51 Small Mouth Bass with a total weight of 103.64, and; one Trout.
The oldest fisherman was Steve Birek of Pittsburgh with a Bass weighing 3.6, and the oldest woman entering fish was Phyllis Peters of Nanty Glo with a Bass that weighed 3.22
Junior Champion Angler for 2011 is Adam Barker with two Walleye and six Bass for a total weight of 17.60
Lunker awards were presented to Dave Kyher with a 29.98 Musky, Charlie Matie has a 14.27 Northern Pike, Terry Cotterman with an 8.02 Walleye, Trapper Ralston with a 4.2 Bass and Mark Matuizek with a 2.33 Trout.
Kids Derby winners were: Shane Balach, 7, of the Pittsburgh area, in first place with a total of 31.5 inches of fish; second place was Katherine Cassese, 8, of Solo, Ohio, with 30.5 total inches of fish, and; third Place, JR Trauner, 3, of Centerville with 30 inches of fish. Trauner was the youngest fisherman also.
There were 90 kids registered in the Kids (Junior Fishing Derby) and they caught 103 fish and 46 kids registered fish.
Shane Balach won the bicycle.
Ann Jones and Dan McLaughlin said Casey Parker, Madeline, Tim and Ray Jones, Carmen Fedele, Bill Weber, Dick Bartges and Lena Resin provided invaluable help to the tourney. Cowboy Bob O'Dell provided lures, and copies of his book and t-shirts he donated to the tournament.
Grand Prize winner of the 42-inch flat screen TV was Kim Hancock. Saint John's Ladies Guild 50/50 for $502.50 winner was Sherry Williams of Tidioute. Knights of Columbus gun raffle winner was Rosco. Lions Club 50/50 for $403 winner was Mike Collar and 50/50 drawing for the Miss Tidioute Pageant winner was Dan McLaughlin.