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Bay of Pigs fishing tourney gives to Pendills Creek for Kids Day

Law enforcement officers from 10 agencies donated to Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery

The 20th annual Bay of Pigs fishing tournament took place in Brimley from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. yesterday, bringing together law enforcement officers from 10 different agencies to donate $240 to Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery’s Kids Day on June 4. 

“I had just found out my uncle, Brother John Hascall, had passed away,” said event coordinator Det. Phillip Donnay of the Sault Ste. Marie City Police Department. “I told my partner that we were going to win this for him.” 

Out of the 15 boats registered to compete in the tournament, 13 walleyes were caught. 

“The bite was slow to say the least,” said Donnay. 

The law officers and their teammates traveled to Bay Mills Casino at 3 p.m. to weigh their catches. 

Second place went to Andy Halonen of the US Border Patrol and partner Matt Gregg with three fish, weighing in at 8.10 pounds to win $200. The pair also caught the day’s biggest walleye weighing 3.48 pounds. This earned them an additional $100.  

Third place went to Kevin Weber of US Customs and Border Protection and partner Bruce Franti with three fish weighing in at 7.20 pounds. They were awarded $100 in prize money. 

But Donnay and partner Dane Stanaway won the tournament after all. The pair caught four fish in total, weighing 9.28 pounds for a grand prize of $500.  

“Our goal is to donate to the organization to help get kids out fishing,” said Donnay.  

Monetary donations will help supply Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery with the bait and tackle needed for Kids Day. 

Officers from the following law enforcement agencies participated in the Bay of Pigs fishing tournament: Sault Ste. Marie Police Department, US Customs and Border Protection, US Border Patrol, Chippewa County Sheriff Department, Bay Mills Indian Police Department, Bay Mills Conservation Department, St. Ignace Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Petoskey Department of Public Safety and Essexville Police Department. 

“It was a great time, and we are looking forward to next year,” said Donnay.