Sam Diller’s resume includes participation in nearly every Bluffton organization.

But, until this year, he’s never been a rainbow trout.

That changes on Sunday, May 7, as the Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club honors Diller, retired Bluffton attorney. The club has named its trout number 1 in Diller’s honor: “Sudden Sam.”

A 1952 Bluffton High School, 1956 Bluffton College grad and 1960 ONU law grad, Diller has practiced law since 1960. In 1971 he returned to Bluffton and opened his law practice, which he sold to Scott Basinger in 2013.

He and his wife, Joan, married for 57 years, have four children, 11 grandchildren and one-great grandson.

His family’s connection to Main Street reaches back nearly 90 years. His grandfather William Iutzi was an independent insurance agent with an office on Main Street from 1924 to 1944. Diller’s father, Leland, and mother, Helen, took over the business in the 1940s.

After Leland’s death in 1960, Helen continued to operate the business until 1968 when she sold it to Richard Jordan.

Here's a previous Icon story on Diller.

Derby details

Trout number one is worth thousands in cash if caught during derby hours. The jackpot is built up with $5 donations to a 50/50 drawing.

If caught on derby day, one half of the cash jackpot goes to the angler who catches number one. The other half goes to the person whose raffle ticket is drawn at the end of the derby.

If number one is not caught during derby hours one half of the jackpot goes to the club for fish stocking and the other half is awarded in a raffle drawing at the end of the derby.

The derby includes more than 200 tagged trout with prizes to be awarded.

According to club president Tom Augsburger, tickets for the 50/50 (one for $5 or three for $10). In addition, spring raffle tickets will be sold.

Raffle tickets pay out various prizes. Winners need not be present to win during the derby.

Last year nearly 3,000 raffle tickets were sold. The 50/50 drawing paid $2,175. One-half went to Dan Koontz, the drawing winner. One-half went to  Anthony Colllins of Lima, who caught trout number 1.

Memberships
2017 memberships are available at $30 per year for age 14 and up, and $10 per year for age 13 and under.

Memberships are available at: Family True Value Hardware (derby headquarters), Riley Creek Mercantile, Kibbee’s Carryout and Ted's Market, Pandora.

Bluffton Sportsmen Club hats are available at the derby for $15 each.

A Ted and Don’s chicken barbecue will be held on derby Sunday at the Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club depot on Spring Street from 11 a.m. until sold out. Tickets are $8 each. The barbecue includes one-half chicken with green beans, potato sales and roll.

Bluffton Boy Scout Troop 256 will sell concessions starting at 8 a.m. in the shelter house at the Buckeye.

2016 Officers and Directors
President - Tom Augsburger 
Vice President - Jerry Edinger
Treasurer - Ron Schumtz 
Secretary - Andy Herrmann

Directors: Dennis Kagy, Mark Zimmerman, Lucas Herrmann, Marvin Maag, Wilbur Bracy, Mike Zimmerman, Dale Neidemire, Jacob Maag and Paul Maag.

Previous tagged trout number 1

2016 - Bluffton Slaw Cutter "Ole Cutter
2015 - Andy Herrmann "Big Andy"
2014 - Southgate Lanes "The King Pin"
2013 -
2012 - Tom Augsburger "Old Augie"
2011  - Bluffton's 150th anniversary "Grand Shannon