The Bluffton Sportsmen's Club is inviting anglers to try their skill and luck at the 2022 Bluffton Fishing Derby, which will be held from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. on May 1 at Buckeye Lake, located off North Main between Elm St. and Snider Rd.

This year's #1 fish has been named "BIG TOM" for Tom Diller. The #1 tagged trout jackpot is already worth $2500.00. It will be worth more on Derby day: one half of the jackpot plus an additional $1,000.00, if caught during derby hours.

The host organization, the Bluffton Sportsmen's Club, will be tagging fish on Monday, April 25 at about 4 p.m. There will be NO Fishing allowed until the derby starts on May 1. Membership is required to fish in either quarry, the Buckeye and Cobb Lake, a.k.a. the National (see license outlets below).

The jackpot is built up with $5 donations to a 50/50 drawing. If "BIG TOM" caught on derby day, one half of the cash jackpot goes to that angler. The other half goes to the person whose raffle ticket is drawn at the end of the derby. If #1 is not caught during derby hours, one half of the jackpot goes to the club for fish stocking.

The derby includes some 250 tagged trout with associated prizes awarded. Last year's prizes are below. Tickets for the 50/50 raffle are one for $5 or three for $10. In addition, spring raffle tickets for various prizes will be sold. Winners need not be present to win during the derby.

2021 Fishing Derby winners:

Longest Trout - 16 5/8" Halie Bretz $50.

50/50 Raffle - Ryan Burkholder $1245.

Gun Raffle - Lucus Herman

Spring Raffle:

1/4 Beef - Michael Rule & Ray Victory

$200 - Jim Young $100 - Dallas Walton

$75 - Marvin Maag

$50 - Chris Wolkiewicz

$25 - Chris Camareno

Massage - Chris Wenger

2022 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 the following merchants:

The Dough Hook Meat Market, 117 N. Main St. Bluffton

Kibbee's Carry Out, 140 Co Rd 313, Bluffton

Ted's Market, 311 E Washington St, Pandora

TNT Firearms, 1301 Lima Ave, Findlay

For more information about The Bluffton Sportsmen's Club call Tom Augsburger at 419-384-3674.

Recent tagged trout #1 names

2022 - Big Tom

2021 - Big 77

2020 – No trout derby

2019 – Big 75

2018 - Ronald Montgomery "Guppy"

2017 - Sam Diller "Sudden Sam"

2016 - Bluffton Slaw Cutter "Ole Cutter

2015 - Andy Herrmann "Big Andy"

2014 - Southgate Lanes "The King Pin"

2013 - Bluffton Glove Factory "Big Glove"

2012 - Tom Augsburger "Old Augie"

2011 - Bluffton's 150th anniversary "Grand Shannon"