Lunchtime photos, along with a few others, have been added as a slideshow -- just click on the Photos tab above.  To view the photo gallery previously at that page, simply scroll down below the slideshow to see them.

Thanks, again, to the folks who came up with this idea in the very beginning -- it has been a wonderful event for the kids AND the adults involved in making their day.  Volunteering/helping others truly DOES a person good -- from the inside out.  :)

The kindnesses shown by all gives hope that our little part of the world is still a very good place to be.  Many people have to be in the same area for a short amount of time -- patience and kindness and understanding make it all work out.  Yes, the landing gets busy; yes, the launching of boats in the morning is a bit busy; yes, there is a brief line for lunch; and, yes, it takes time to clean up and tear down -- and it all works out.  We have all the time we need that day to make memories for a lifetime for these kids who come fishing.  Our hats are off to you who helped make this year's event another success!  Remember to post kids' fishing stories throughout the year at the Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby FACEBOOK page!

For everyone's efforts - THANK YOU!
Without your support, we wouldn't be able to
KEEP KIDS FISHIN'!
Joyce and the rest of the McKenzie Clan

If you haven't already picked up a copy of this week's Leader (published in Frederic, Wis.,), please get one to see the two-page, full-color coverage of the 10th Annual Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby.  Marty Seeger wrote a nice article about the event and ran many photos and the trophy list along with the paid thank you ad.  You gotta see the paper!

Thanks, also, to the Ledger who ran a photo last week -- and to that paper and others who are running the Thank You ad this week.  If it weren't for the few people who came up with this idea in the beginning and the hundreds of volunteers since, 800 kids would have missed out on fishing throughout the decade!

Hopefully the papers will have Internet links available next week.  If so, the links will be posted under "News Releases" (click on the tab above).

After June, this website will be monitored monthly until next spring (May) when things start heating up again for planning another kids fishing day on Saturday, June 14, 2014!

For this month, please check back for links to newspapers and to view the photos.
Until next spring, please be active on the FACEBOOK page = Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby!
Please post your kids' fishing adventures and stories on the FACEBOOK page.  If you have fun quips and quotes or observations from this year's fishing derby -- and, of course, photos -- PLEASE SHARE!!

Hope you will "Like" the Neil McKenzie Fishing Derby page.  :)

For now and ever....
KEEP KIDS FISHIN'   (and huntin' and tellin' their stories!)

Joyce McKenzie
Kelly (McKenzie) Sylte
And the McKenzie Clan

Kevin Naze's comments on page 12 of the June 2013 issue of Wisconsin Sportsman speaks directly to the mission of the annual Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby.  In case you missed it, here are a few excerpts:    "Researchers believe the average American teen spends somewhere between 7 and 11 hours a day using electronic media such as computers, television, tablets, smart phones, iPods, and more.  Considering teens still need to eat and sleep--and many have part-time jobs and participate in extra-curricular school activities--Is it really any wonder why the number of anglers nationwide is declining?  Getting kids outside is the goal of a number of state and national (and local!) initiatives; but in the end, much of the responsibility of ensuring we pass on our love for fishing falls to the parents and grandparents raising or helping to raise those children.

His article continued with good suggestions:  "If you don't have a boat, check with a local shop, a DNR fisheries expert, or a knowledgeable local angler you might know for shore fishing suggestions.  It may be as easy as stopping down by the public boat landing and casting from the dock.  Digging worms in the back yard or picking up worms and night crawlers on the driveway after a heavy rain can teach kids how easy it is to get hands-on with the fishing experience."

Kelly's comments: When we see so many adults willing to help keep kids fishing -- especially on the day of the derby -- well, we know we are on the right track.  And as Tracy V. said that day on shore, "There isn't much around here for teens to do. I am so glad the derby doesn't stop at age 15 (or younger)."  Yes! Fishing -- and enjoying the outdoors -- IS a great way for teens to spend time. :)   The only thing that changes is that once teens turn age 16, they need to purchase fishing licenses.  No problem.  The licenses help fund wildlife research and maintain healthy populations and environments.  All around, it's a good thing!

Until next time,
KEEP KIDS FISHIN'!

Joyce, Kelly, and The McKenzie Clan

Hopefully photos and information about Saturday's Fishing Derby will run in the area newspapers the week of June 17, 2013.  Look for the Thank You ad acknowledging businesses and individuals who helped make the event such a success for the kids!  When you are in these shops, please make a special effort to say, "Hey! Thanks for supporting the Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby.  It's a great event for the kids!"

Do you know the age limit for kids to participate in this event?  17!  That's right: This isn't just for the little kids.  How many things are there to do in the area for 15-17 year olds?  Or for 12-17 year olds for that matter?  Encourage our youth to "step out of the box" (HOUSE!) and play in the outdoors.  Get kids interested in nature, environmental respect, wildlife management, the night sky, and, of course, FISHIN'!

Watch next week's papers for the Thank You ad and photos.

Until then,
KEEP KIDS FISHIN'!   :)

Joyce and Kelly

Share your fishing stories and photos on the Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby Facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/NeilMckenzieYouthFishingDerby?fref=ts

Saturday morning broke with a calm lake and party sunny skies.  After a week of cold, wet weather, Saturday morning was the beginning of another memorable day for  kids fishing on Deer Lake.

The check-in process is always exciting as fishing boat drivers and fisher-kids try to get matched up and families with lots of siblings fishing try to get matched up with assigned pontoons.  According to Mom's (Joyce McKenzie's) watch, all participants were off shore and on the lake fishing by 9:07 a.m.!  Whew!

Lunch time gave everyone time to weigh catches, tell fish tales from the morning, and, of course, enjoy a tasty lunch -- and then it was back to more fishing!

Mid-afternoon the boats landed again with fisher-kids rushing to the scale to weigh-in their biggest  fishes.  Two decorated cakes -- one white and one marble -- were quickly eaten up by everyone after in celebration of this 10th Annual Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby. Fishing makes a person hungry!

Finally, the time came for special recognitions, door prizes, and TROPHIES celebrating the luckiest of the fisher-kids.  This youth event is open to kids through age 17 -- and after they "fish out" are welcome to come back the following years to be guides or volunteer in many other ways!

I thought I would start out the program by seeing who had fished the derby for 1, 2, 3, 4, years, etc. on up to 10 times.  In the front row was a little cutie with blonde curls who declared, "I've fished TEN years!"  I asked, "How old are you?"  Her reply as she held up four fingers... "I'm four!!"   Ya gotta love it!!  :)

We celebrated fishermen on boats from age 6 mos. to 91 years.  Fishing is TRULY a life-long activity to be enjoyed by all.  Of note, each of these individuals are girls!  :)   Fishing is for everyone!

Lots of thank you's, lots of expressions of appreciation, lots of smiles, and "See Ya Next Year"s.  What a wonderful, wonderful day.  And then... as quickly as it was set up by numerous volunteers, the staging area was tore down and put away with several trucks and trailers hauling away tents, trailers, and picnic tables for another year. 

ALL participants are to be commended for respecting the private property on which this event is staged.  To illustrate the level of respect and the use of recycling and garbage bins on the grounds, I can tell you that when I scoured the property after everyone had gone, I picked up one potato chip and one cigarette butt.  Those two items were the ONLY evidence of a day's event on site.  And, when you think of it... the kids don't smoke!

The learning, the laughs, the camaraderie, and caring are what keep this event positive for everyone each year.  THANK YOU to all who understand the mission of the day -- to KEEP KIDS FISHIN' and realizing that "outdoors" is the place to play!

Joyce and Kelly

Family and friends with hearts bigger than the sky who believe in the mission of the event.
A key coordinator to oversee all that is needed to make a memorable day for the youth.
An infinity for math...

Kids.     89
Adults  59
___________
            148

Pontoons.        66
Boats.               39
Have Boat        43
__________________
                        148

Support from the Wisconsin DNR, The Lagoon Association, and the Deer Lake Homeowners Association.
Many hours of donated labor from Polk County Sportsman's Club, Polk County Bassers, and too many individuals to note by name.  THANK YOU!!

What else does it take to put on a fishing derby?  -- KIDS!!!  Kids of all ages, kids who wouldn't normally have a chance to go fishing, kids who already know about fishing, and adults who care enough about the kids to take them fishing, to donate the use of boats and pontoons, and to provide door prizes and trophies to honor the kids' efforts.

On the eve of the 10th Annual Neil McKenzie Youth Fishing Derby, let me send out a huge shout out to everyone and every business who make this day happen!  We do it for the kids.  We do it because "Neil would have wanted it this way!"

"Don't worry about the weather" was one of Neil's common sayings.  Well, we will leave the weather up to him and focus on the fishing!  Good luck -- have fun -- and keep tellin' those stories!!

KEEP KIDS FISHIN'

Joyce McKenzie and Kelly (McKenzie) Sylte