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Luzerne County Council’s Legislative Committee to discuss election issues Monday

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Beyond the Byline: ‘Attention Kmart shoppers’

KINGSTON TWP. — The Nanticoke Conservation Club enjoyed their biggest Ice Fishing Derby yet on Saturday, welcoming a record turnout to Frances Slocum State Park for a day of fish, friends and fun.

“I think a lot of people just couldn’t wait to get outside,” said club president Gary Gronkowski. “We got a beautiful day out here, too.”

Over 200 anglers from all over the area flocked to the frozen lake at Frances Slocum on Saturday. Men, women, adults, teenagers and even young children all took their gear out onto the lake for a chance at reeling in the catch of the afternoon.

Children nine years old and under fished for free, while youths aged 10 to 15 paid a $5 entry fee and adults paid $10. The registration fees were turned back around into cash prizes for the winners of the derby.

“We have about 35 kids out there today,” Gronkowski said. “A lot of parents wanting to pass down the sport to their children.”

The ice was measured at about 10 to 11 inches thick before Sunday’s derby, making it plenty safe for the fishermen to get set up.

“We’ve only had to cancel four times due to the ice,” Gronkowski said. “It looks good today, although all the snow packed on top makes it a little harder to work with.”

The derby was, of course, compliant with COVID-19 protocols: Masks were required for everyone upon registration and when weighing in their fish, while having such a big lake to work with meant that everyone could get their six feet of separation from other contestants.

“In ice fishing, if someone’s less than six feet away of you, you’re not thinking about COVID, you’re thinking about him being in your spot,” Gronkowski joked. “Everyone has plenty of room.”

Derby participants hit the ice at 8 a.m. and had until 1 p.m. to land a fish worthy of one of the cash prizes available.

The list of winners after the 1 p.m. weigh-in were:

• Pat Hayes, who caught a 7.4 ounce bluegill;

• Rory Brown, who landed a 2 pound, 1.4 ounce crappie;

• Pat Reardon, who reeled in a 1 pound, 5.4 ounce perch;

• Colton Lis, who won the prize for catching the heaviest fish of anyone 15 years old or younger with a 1 pound, 1.7 ounce crappie.

• Joe Maciejaszek, who caught a 6 pound bass.

For some of the other participants, the Derby was a great way to spend the day even if the fish weren’t biting.

Elizabeth Eastman, of Hanover Township, made the trip to watch her fiance and her nine-year-old daughter, Olivia.

Olivia managed to catch what she referred to as a “little tiny fish,” not enough to bring home a prize but enough to make the day worthwhile.

When asked about how she was enjoying her day, Olivia was very blunt: “It’s definitely better than school.”

“It’s so nice out here,” said Lee Gregory, who came from Carbondale to participate in his first Ice Derby. “It’s nice to get some air and be able to do something.”

Gronkowski was quick to give credit to the park employees for getting Frances Slocum ready to host the event.

“They had the roads plowed, parking lots cleared, they were so well-prepared,” Gronkowski said. “The Nanticoke Conservation Club can’t thank them enough for that.”

Cool competition