Cool temperatures and no rain provided a great day for the fishermen and topped off another successful year for the Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament.
Champion angler for the fourth time was Darren Potts of East Hickory bringing in two walleye and six bass on Sunday for a total weight of 24.36 pounds.
Potts also won the championship in 1997, 2000, and in 2007. His wife Melissa Morrison-Potts, formally of Tidioute and daughter Grace were on hand to congratulate Darren on his victory.
Article Photos
Photos by Linda Scott
Champions
Darren Potts of East Hickory was the Champion Angler this year at the 53rd Pennsylvania State Championship Fishing Tournament. Pictured with Potts is his daughter Grace.
Derek Rapp of Titusville took second place with two Northern Pike and six bass for a total weight of 22.16
In third place was Brian Johnson of Clarendon with two walleye and six bass for a total weight of 20.96 pounds.
Saturday night winners were: Musky: first place-Charlie Matie with 24.78; second place was Joe Martinelli with 18.02. Northern Pike: first place- Paterick Kavinski with 12.92, second place-Dan Sullivan with 10.29 and third place- Derek Rapp with 10.19; Walleye: first place-John Ringel with16.9, second place was Frank Hopshire with 15.32, third place was Brett Carlson with 14.05; Bass: first place-Darren Potts with 21.38, George Defrahn with 20.03, third place was Greg Kozora with 19.75; Trout: first place was Andy Givan with 6.82, second place was Brain Johnson with 6.05, third place was Tom Givan with 4.83; Catfish winner was Chuch Schwab with 10.56.
Lunker Awards for Musky was Charlie Matie of Clarendon with 24.78; Northern Pike was Paterick Kavinski of Warren with 12.92; Walleye was Frank Hopshire of Warren with 6.92; Bass was Greg Kozora of Cabot, PA with 5.13 and Trout was Brian Johnson of Clarendon with 2.69.
Junior Champion Angler was Dakota Hall age 13 of Clarendon who brought in two Northern Pike, two walleye, and six bass for a total weight of 22.29 pounds. Second place winner in the junior angler was Adam Barker age 13 of Warren, PA with one Northern Pike, and six bass totaling 22.05 pounds and in third place was Terra Miller of West Hickory with four walleye and six bass for a total weight of 21.46 pounds.
Oldest male who registered fish was Steve Birek age 92 from Tidioute and the oldest female was Phyllis Peters age 77 of Nanty Glo, PA.
A two day total of 315 fish with a total weight of 874.89 pounds.
There were 221 fishermen registered. only fifty fisherman turned in fish on Saturday night with a total weight of 634.9 pounds from a total of 244 fish on Saturday.
Sunday totals were 55 fish turned in totaling 146 pounds, only one dead fish. There were 47 bass, 6 walleye and 2 pike turned in on Sunday.
Jim Yount of ST Joe, Ark has registered every year for this tournament and travels the furthest to fish in this tournament.
More tournament finals and winners will be listed in the Tidioute column on Wednesday.