Memories from past Kiwanis Walleye World Derby

StukinPa · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 9:26 am

The first Derby that I attended was back in 1987. A guy by the name
of Ron Wilkinson took top honors with a 10.08 pound Eye!
I think that was also the first year for the "Let it Live" program.
I still have a copy of the Whig-Standard paper that detailed the event back then.

I had a few other hats from past derbys but only these two have
stood the test of time.

Anyone else collect these hats?

bigbassin18 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:55 pm **Posts:** 431

I remember back when the Napanee rod and gun club ran them. I was a kid back when the 94 hat was there. Remember walking around conservation park in Napanee. Seeing the fish and everything going on down that like it was yesterday. All the boat at the docks and the parking lot across the river packed full of people and everyone enjoying that weekend. Definitely memories in my eyes that I’ll always remember about opening weekend. And pretty well since the Napanee rod and gun club gave it up. I have not been to the headquarters once. I have purchased tickets every year but don’t have the drive to go and see it.

Bobv75 · **Joined:** Wed Oct 05, 2016 10:23 am **Posts:** 194

We have a collection of the hats at our cottage. This would have been the 9 th hat on the shelf.

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wayne · **Posted:** Thu Apr 30, 2020 11:13 am

I have them all but the first 2 yrs.

DanElliot · **Joined:** Mon Apr 08, 2002 8:59 am **Posts:** 4329

Wayne I'd like to see a picture of them

wayne · **Posted:** Fri May 01, 2020 12:14 pm

Wife has them packed away in the closet.

Nadamamasboy · **Posted:** Fri May 08, 2020 9:01 pm

Unfortunately, the memory which first comes to mind for me was of someone drowning. This was around 35 years ago, and we were fishing north of the old swing bridge. Some boys were in an overloaded boat in the wee hours of the morning and it was kind of foggy. I remember hearing some splashing and yelling but the guy was gone. The sound of his friends calling out for him still haunts me. Be safe out there

Ranger619 · **Joined:** Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:58 pm **Posts:** 63

Wow that’s a sad story. It breaks my heart to hear that.

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Jim Lyon · **Joined:** Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:12 pm **Posts:** 423

My fondest memories (or at least one i wont forget) is casting a shoreline from 20 feet away and catching fish and having someone troll between me and the shoreline after i just caught a fish...ah yes good times

legacy · **Joined:** Tue May 10, 2005 7:55 am **Posts:** 992

I remember fishing opening when it was run by the Rod n Gun Club and they gave out red hats. (budwiser?)

I was a young kid and my Dad and I would start casting at Spring Side Park at midnight, fish till around 4 am then head out in the boat for the day from Napanee Marina. We would get back, have a nap in the back of his truck; without a camper, only to turn around and do it again that evening and next day.

I remember one year, we had finally graduated to a 12' tin with a 5hp and stayed in a tent at Pickerel Park; we were spoiled! Our Sundays of Opening then were not necessarily about the fishing, but hot dogs at the weigh-in at Napanee Marina. I can confirm it can be done from Hay Bay to there but it's an all day trip. 1 year it was so rough on the way back, the Coast Guard followed us up the Reach as I sat between his legs, getting soaked and just proud to be with him.

He would drop my off back home 2 days later without proper sleep, food and a wicked case of land-sickness. My Mother would be furious, I would be in my glory!

It was the best of times and what I wouldn't do to be able to go back to those days with him.

Cheers - Paul

This pic is of he and I many years later and loving every minute of it. I sure hope generations to come will be able to enjoy the Opening like many of us had.

StukinPa · **Posted:** Tue May 12, 2020 9:52 am

Paul,

Thanks for sharing your good memories too.
Your mention of the Red Budweiser hat jogged my memory again and
I dug through my old photos to find this one! Can't remember the year
but probably mid to late 80's.

Len

legacy · **Joined:** Tue May 10, 2005 7:55 am **Posts:** 992

Wow! That's the one...they had a mesh insert that I always thought was to flip over to cover your eyes from bugs.

Very cool...thanks for sharing!

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Memories from past Kiwanis Walleye World Derby

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