Annual Splash

Of all the memorable moments at the 28th Annual Malta Walleyes Unlimited Banquet last Saturday night, one possibly stands higher than the rest — literally — as long time Walleye Secretary Joyce Wright was honored at the opening of the event.

“She has been in the organization for a long, long time and has held many offices and you always knew where you stood with her,” Malta Walleyes Unlimited President John Demarais said. “She did a great job in those offices for all those years.”

Everyone in attendance at the Malta City Hall’s auditorium stood to honor Wright with a warm round of applause as President Demarais presented her with a personalized Walleyes jacket.

“Thank you, Joyce,” Demarais concluded.

Several Young Angler Awards were given on the night including those to Adalyn Voegel (who also won a gun case in a later card raffle), Keavin Simser (who scored a nice fishing lure during the Kids Balloon Game), Aidyn Barnett, Trooper Stiles, Cede Mayer, Mason Voegel and Sidney Mayer — Sidney was also named Young Angler of the Year. All Young Anglers were awarded certificates and fishing poles on the night and Sidney also earned herself a new tackle box.

“Our motto is to take a kid fishing and we don't care if the kid is eight or 80," Demarais said.

Proceeds from past banquets have gone toward replacing the deck on the walk bridge near Hillcrest, extending the northern ramp at Nelson Reservoir and annual repair and maintenance of the reservoir's docks. The monies raised at the banquets also go toward taking children fishing twice a year, once during the winter and the other during Camp Walleye in the summer. President Demarais said that Camp Walleye is generally held at Nelson, but this year Malta Walleyes Unlimited is looking to take a trip a little further from home (the location is still being discussed) and the number of young anglers to be taken on the trip depends on how many adults step up to help.

How many kids we take fishing depends on how many generous boaters we can get to go with us on our trip,” President Demarais said.

To volunteer for Camp Walleye, or submit ideas for activities the Malta Walleyes could undertake, monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Stretch's or President Demarais would like to hear from you at 301-1075.