By Paula Pyzik Scott

The Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club will hold the 2024 Trout Derby on Sunday, May 5 at Buckeye Lake, accessible from Main St., Snyder Rd. and Spring St. The club member who catches Trout No. 1 on Derby Day between 2:00-4:00 p.m. will receive ½ of the jackpot plus $1,000. The prize is redeemable through the Sportsmen’s Club.

This is the 80th annual trout derby. The club notes that the date is calculated by "talking with a few old timers and past records" which indicate the first derby was held in 1944.

Last year, the jackpot was worth $2,700 and half went to winning ticket holder Patty Carpenter. Trout No. 1 was not caught during the 2023 derby.

This year there will be over $4,000 in cash and prizes available on tagged trout also in the quarry. The Trout Derby booklet enumerates the prizes associated with all 217 tagged trout and the businesses and individuals that support the derby. It also lists all of the rules and regulations for the derby and fishing in the quarries.

The event will also include a Chicken Barbeque at 11:00 a.m. by Ted & Don’s. Drive through or eat in at the club depot.

Live bait and fishing tackle will be available at the derby.

Bluffton Boy Scout Troop  #256 will be providing concessions from 8:00 a.m. at the registration shelter house, including drinks, snacks and sandwiches.

The derby is an incentive to sign up for an annual club membership. Registration includes 2024 membership, a fishing badge with membership number, trout derby registration, fishing privileges in both quarries through December 31, boating privileges and an invitation to the annual club meeting. No Ohio fishing license is required to fish in club quarries.

The cost of membership is $10/year for children through age 13 and $30/year for ages 14 and up.

Memberships are available at The Dough Hook, 117 N. Main St. and at Buckeye Quarry on Derby Day.

Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club Officers for 2024

• President: Tom Augsburger
• Vice President: Jerry Edinger
• Secretary: Mike Zimmerman