VFW fishing derby returns this Saturday after eight year absence

Ken Johnston

Its been eight years but the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 41st annual fishing derby has been reborn.
As older members of the VFW were unable to keep or lost interest in running the very popular derby each year it eventually came to a halt after 40 years of fun and success.
About two months ago the VFW rekindled the Mens Auxiliary of the VFW to the tune of about 82 members. One of the Aux. members working on the derby, Brad Levasseur, said, “There was strong interest in restarting the event.”
They have changed very little for the derby. It will take place in the same location, on the Baudette Bay, just south of the international bridge. No parking will be allowed on the ice, but organizers are running a shuttle service to and from Peace Park (just south of US customs).
The event is open to anglers from both sides of the border, just as it was in the past. Prizes will be awarded for the largest walleye, northern, perch and burbot. Levasseur said they expect more northerns than anything else so they have added prizes to that species category. There will also be prizes for the first fish, smallest fish, the oldest and youngest anglers as well as the largest family fishing.
The cost for the derby is only $3 and buttons are available at the VFW and at various Baudette businesses and bars. The buttons are numbered and a grand prize button draw will take place for an ice fishing auger, for which the button holder must be present to win.
Other button draws will be taking place throughout the day. The derby runs from 1-5 p.m. with a dance to follow at the VFW. Most of the draws people need to be present to win. There are several cash prizes that button holders do not need to be present to win.