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

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.
Share