Angler reels in “Big Z” and the Bluffton Trout Derby grand prize
By Paula Pyzik Scott
May 3 was a lucky day for Cameron Schroeder. He caught the No. 1 tagged trout at the Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club annual Trout Derby, earning him half of the raffle jackpot plus $1,000. Lucky Lynda Best won the other half of the raffle prize, $950.
According to club president Tom Augsburger, it's been four or five years since the No. 1 trout has been caught on Derby Day.
The 2026 No. 1 trout was named “Big Z” in honor of Mark Zimmerman, a longtime director for the club. He’s the member who takes your money when you buy spring raffle tickets at the shelter house on Derby Day.
In years when trout No. 1 is not caught, half of the jackpot goes to the Sportsmen’s Club and a consolation prize of $200 is available for individuals who catch No. 1. through Labor Day.
Over $4,000 in cash and prizes were awarded, thanks to dozens of sponsors (listed below) who provide cash and prizes ranging from $50 in cash for the longest trout to a side of beef.
CONCESSIONS
Sandwiches, drinks and snacks were provided by BSA Troop 256, which has been operating in Bluffton for 87 years. Chicken BBQ meals were sold by Ted & Don’s.
PURCHASE MEMBERSHIPS
Kibbee's Craft Beer • Wine • Deli, 140 Co. Rd. 113, Bluffton. 419-358-0338.
OFFICERS FOR 2026
- Tom Augsburger, president
- Jerry Edinger, vice president
- Jacob Maag, Treasurer
- Mike Zimmerman, Secretary
Directors: Bob Amstutz, Tom Diller, Dennis Kagy, Andy Hermann, Lucas Hermann, Jacob Maag, Marvin Maag, Paul Maag, Dale Neidemire, Ray Victory, Mark Zimmerman
PRIZE PROVIDERS
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ADJ Excavating Ada Services All Service Aeration Inc. All Terra American Legion Post #382 Anderson Tractor Supply Auto Painters Supply LLC Black Gold Sealcoating Bluffton Aeration Service Inc. Bluffton Auto Repair Center Bluffton EMS Bluffton Fire Department Bluffton Ohio Historical Society Bluffton Paving Inc. Bluffton Slaw Cutter Co. The Bluffton Stone Co. Boy Scout Troop #256 Brandon Blackford, Financial Advisor Brinkman’s Country Corner Buckeye Archery Buckeye Commercial Body CCR Realtors Kelli Blackburn and Lisa Wenger Cherry’s Outdoor World Chiles0Laman Funeral & Cremation Services Citizens National Bank Columbus Grove Family Dentistry Craft Gallery DNC Hydraulics Darrell E. Groman, O.D. Demarco Wealth Management Group Dick & Corrinne Boehr Diller’s Flooring & Interior LLC Ellerbrock Spine & Soft Tissue Erica Jones, cosmetologist Family Eye Care Clinic Family of Richard Jordan Family of Ricky Matter Family of Troy Caskie First National Bank The Food Store Gary’s Repair Gilboa Garage Gregory Averesch, Financial Advisor GROB Systems Grove Dairy Co. LLC Hair Emporium Henry’s Hidden Creek Golf Course/Bluffton Golf Club Honda of Ottawa In memory of Denver and Ralph Augsburger In memory of Tim and Ted White In memory of Gene Benroth In memory of Jim “Cob” Herrmann In memory of Fred Herrmann In memory of Kent and Wava Amstutz In memory of Robert Pierce and Steve Pierce J.M. Augsburger, CPA, LLC Jason Cox, State Farm agent |
Jessy Gerding Ditching LLC Kibbee’s Craft Beer Kiene Recreation Kinsinger Quality Construction Kira’s Flipside Grill L&S Seeds Langhan Family Finds Leiber’s Garage Local 1327 Lulu’s Diner Majestic Lawn Garden Center Meyer’s Car and Truck Sales & Service Milan’s Bait & Archery Natural Healing Massage and Reiki Center Neidert Construction Niese Tire & Service Center Northwest Ohio Recyling NW Ag Farm Services Pandora Grain & Supply Parsons Auto Service Pilgrim Restaurant Pittman Electrical The Pizzeria Reichenbach & Steiner CPAs Remlinger Fish Farm Roots by Strattons Sara’s Family Hair Care Schroeder Plumbing & Heating LLC Scott L. Basinger, Attorney at Law Set Concrete Smith’s Realty Professionals Inc. Snap-on Tools Southgate Lanes Sports Center Lanes Springbrook Auto Auction Steiner & Granger Stoney’s Barbershop Streacker Tractor Sales Sumitomo Riko Group Swiss Country Market Sycamore Lake Wine Company Tabler’s Marathon Taylor Kia of Findlay Ted & Don’s BBQ Ted’s Market Thirsty’s Food & Spirits TNT Firearms Tom Augsburger Town & County Flowers Inc. Uncle Al’s Pizza Vetter Lumber Village Cut N Curl Webb Insurance Agency Inc. |
