The 27th annual Ross Township Fishing Tournament must have produced some mixed emotions for folks behind the scenes.
Sure, the event took place during a couple of bright, sunny days, kind of on the hot side, but plenty of water and misting fans were on the scene to keep everyone hydrated and relatively cool, if necessary.
But the 2024 tournament, held July 13-14, was the first following the loss of one of the co-founders.
Frank Zotter, the retired township police sergeant for whom the pond at event site Evergreen Community Park is named, passed away Nov. 23 at age 86. He and friend Jerry Mazur, owner of Mazur’s Collision and Service Center, organized the first tourney in the 1990s.
“They used to go down to the river and catch fish, bring them up here and throw them in the pond. It’s progressed now where we stock,” Ross Officer Al Elway said. “From 10 or 15 kids, now we go upward of about 120.”
And the event has become a weekend extravaganza, with children and teens participating on Saturday, and adults and people with special needs visiting the pond Sunday. Some of the youngsters have been fixtures since they were able to hold rods and reels, various parents reported.
Besides bragging rights, successful anglers receive special acknowledgment.
“Every fish is measured. When it’s all done, we tally up total inches. We give first, second, third place for the highest number of inches in each age category,” Elway said.
Fellow police officers helped take measurements, as did members of Sgt. Zotter’s family, son Matthew Zotter and grandson Merrik Kamholz.
The event, which included lunch for everyone, was sponsored by the police and township parks and recreation department.
