Two fish stories from the same Bluffton girl; if you don't believe us, ask Gary Kirtland
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Here's a couple fishing stories worth repeating. First, can you figure out what each of these photos has in common?
Answer: Kathy Kirtland Lanning is in both. She's Gary Kirtland's sister, BHS 1968 grad, now living in Colorado.
Let's examine the black and white photo. This photo, taken by Paul Diller in the early 1950s shows "Sport" Kirtland holding what appears to be a very large carp. The little girl on the right is Sport's granddaughter, Kathy. If you examine the face of Sport, you'll start to see the resemblance between he and his grandson, Gary.
As far as we can tell, the carp was caught either in the Buckeye or the National quarry. We've not yet nailed down the location of the photo. Anyone older than 70 viewing this might offer a suggestion to the location or reveal more information about this catch of the day once upon a time in Bluffton.
Sport apparently also taught Gary to fish although Gary's interest is a larger pond than the Buckeye. His pond of interest is a lake north of the Ohio border, just south of Canada.
Now we come to the color photo. Guess what, it's Kathy again. Apparently she also picked up some great fishing tips from her grandfather. This photo, on permanent display in the lobby of Kirtland's Auto Sales, reads: "Catch of the Day. It's a catfish."
Maybe some day tagged trout number one ought to be named "Sport," or just plain "Kirtland." The question remains, would Kathy come back and put the tag on number 1?
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, August 29, 2025
- Community Dog Park officially opens as memorial to Katrina Riepenhoff
- Obituary for Ian Christopher Shriner
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- Beaverdam Bunch 4-H results at 2025 Allen County Fair
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Thursday, August 28, 2025
- Pirate girls golf close 2nd at tri; Bauman 1st
- Pirate boys golf 2nd in NWC quad-match
- Pirate girls tennis loss at Wapak
- "You Made It" Forum welcomes Class of 2029
- 2nd annual Bluffton Porchfest celebrates live music
- Learn to play bridge at the Senior Center
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- Taste of Bluffton serves as mixer for students and residents
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Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
- Mayberry Rd. closure Aug. 27-28
- Janet M. Leonard was a teacher
- Pirates boys golf wins NWC tri
- Inside Innovations brings established design studio to Bluffton
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