We are a group of avid steelhead fisherman who want to give back to our parks system by raising funds through a fishing derby. This derby is what is known as a “Barbie Rod” derby in that anglers are limited to children’s rod and reel combos (Barbie, Spiderman, etc). It is the great equalizer with a group that generally uses flyrod, centerpin, and spinning reel techniques (yes, we all somehow get along).
The original derby took place in the spring of 2013 and the funds were used to help a fellow angler and fisheries manager, Mike Durkalec, through his recovery after a horrible car accident.
The fundraiser managed to raise nearly $2000 for Mike and his family and also proved to be an excellent opportunity to bring a large and diverse group of anglers together for a common cause.
This year, we continue the tradition of community by raising funds for the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund. Last year, this non-profit fund provided approximately 30% of the fish stocked in our local lakes, rivers, and streams. It even helped enable the new stocking of Coho Salmon in Wallace Lake! The fund and the Metroparks play a large role in maintaining and building the excellent fishery we enjoy today.
Links for More Information:
Radio
Inside the great outdoors radio interviews
2018: http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-apr-8th-2018-hour-2 (3:56-14:00)
2019: http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-mar-31rst-2019-hour-2 (36:10-48:00)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-mar-24th-2019-hour-1 (47:36)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-mar-24th-2019-hour-2 (0:00 - 16:00)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-feb-17th-2019-hour-1 (46:20)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-feb-17th-2019-hour-2 (0:00 - 15:00)
Print
Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund
http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Fishing-Fund.aspx
Inaugural Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby News Article
http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2013/03/big_kids_with_barbie_fishing_r.html
2nd - Cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/04/lakewood_angler_nathaniel_watk.html
6th - Elyria Chronicle
http://www.chroniclet.com/outdoors/2019/03/22/Fishing-in-a-Barbie-world-Toy-poles-used-in-Rocky-River-contest.html
6th - Cleveland.com
https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2019/03/fishing-report-for-march-22-steelhead-walleye-kick-off-a-spring-fling-of-fishing.html
Video
AWHALAngling's Video Blog about the Derby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpP35h4Oies
Channel 19 News
https://www.facebook.com/greg.young.5682/videos/10211155498161945/
The original derby took place in the spring of 2013 and the funds were used to help a fellow angler and fisheries manager, Mike Durkalec, through his recovery after a horrible car accident.
The fundraiser managed to raise nearly $2000 for Mike and his family and also proved to be an excellent opportunity to bring a large and diverse group of anglers together for a common cause.
This year, we continue the tradition of community by raising funds for the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund. Last year, this non-profit fund provided approximately 30% of the fish stocked in our local lakes, rivers, and streams. It even helped enable the new stocking of Coho Salmon in Wallace Lake! The fund and the Metroparks play a large role in maintaining and building the excellent fishery we enjoy today.
Links for More Information:
Radio
Inside the great outdoors radio interviews
2018: http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-apr-8th-2018-hour-2 (3:56-14:00)
2019: http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-mar-31rst-2019-hour-2 (36:10-48:00)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-mar-24th-2019-hour-1 (47:36)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-mar-24th-2019-hour-2 (0:00 - 16:00)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-feb-17th-2019-hour-1 (46:20)
http://igoradio.libsyn.com/inside-the-great-outdoors-feb-17th-2019-hour-2 (0:00 - 15:00)
Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund
http://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/Main/Fishing-Fund.aspx
Inaugural Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby News Article
http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2013/03/big_kids_with_barbie_fishing_r.html
2nd - Cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2015/04/lakewood_angler_nathaniel_watk.html
6th - Elyria Chronicle
http://www.chroniclet.com/outdoors/2019/03/22/Fishing-in-a-Barbie-world-Toy-poles-used-in-Rocky-River-contest.html
6th - Cleveland.com
https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2019/03/fishing-report-for-march-22-steelhead-walleye-kick-off-a-spring-fling-of-fishing.html
Video
AWHALAngling's Video Blog about the Derby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpP35h4Oies
Channel 19 News
https://www.facebook.com/greg.young.5682/videos/10211155498161945/