ESCANABA - Each year, Escanaba brothers Tom and Scott Bourdeau, their mother (Jug's widow) Janet Bourdeau and cousin Steve Johnson organize a fishing/fund-raising event on the waters of Little Bay de Noc, in memory of the late Jug Bourdeau. The purpose is to raise funds that benefit specific area organizations.
This year, the 10th annual Jug Bourdeau Memorial Charity Ice Fishing Tournament took place Feb. 7, beginning with the official weigh-in at Cal's Corral in Bark River. All tolled, 214 fishermen and women traveled from locations throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio to compete in the tournament.
Registrants signed in and the competition began for a $2,750 purse. This tournament wasn't all about the hope of a win or the thrill of a big catch, though. By simply registering, each participant was aiding organizations that save lives and aid youth development - Bark River Fire Department; Save a Heart Project; Youth Assistance Program (YAP); and Great Lakes Youth Archery Club.
Toward that end, the following participants fished and placed in one or more of the tournament's four categories - Walleye, Perch, Pike and Trout. Each is listed by category, placement, name, hometown, pounds caught, and prize awarded.
Walleye
First Place: Mark Peloza, Kipling, 10.24 pounds - $1,000
Second Place: Mike Desotell, Escanaba, 10.04 pounds - $500
Third Place: Joe Johnson, Escanaba, 9.89 pounds - $200
Fourth Place: Mark Phillips, Rapid River, 8.88 pounds - $100
Fifth Place: Bruce Belanger, Escanaba, 8.79 pounds - $50
Perch
First Place: Bill Stevens, Rapid River, 1.67 pounds - $300
Second Place: Rick Boucher, Wells, 1.10 pounds - $200
Third Place: Alfred Behr, Wilson, .97 pounds - $100
Pike
First Place: Tony Larson, Detroit, 17.53 pounds, 42 inches - $150
Trout
First Place: David Stemick, Rapid River, 5.48 pounds (Splake) - $150.
Total charity monies presented in the form of checks, officially donated Tuesday, equalled $5,950. The amounts were distributed as follows: Bark River Fire Department - $1,050; Save a Heart Project - $1,000; Youth Assistance Program - $2,500; and Great Lakes Youth Archery Club - $950.
"People in this area really turn out for events like this," said Tom in reference to the number of event registrants who made the tournament a success. "It's times likes this when you realize just how great the people of this area are."
For those who have not yet participated in this particular tournament, there's always next year. Watch for new information about the event as winter once again falls on the U.P.
Break the ice on new friendships and a possible cash prize, but more than that, help fund one of the organizations that does so much to help our community.
