Martha’s Vineyard Derby Wrap-Up

Martha’s Vineyard Time writer Neslon Sigelman wrote yet another excellent and very moving article regarding the 65th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. Here’s an excerpt:

“The 65th Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby concluded with a dramatic awards ceremony. The common thread among the many boisterous well-wishers crowded into Nectar’s was the fishing contest, but in fact it was a fishing contest that is about more than catching a fish.

Scott Duhaime knew that was true when he carried his cancer-stricken son Brendan up on stage to receive an award for the second biggest bluefish in the mini-junior division, and the crowd cheered as the little boy inwardly beamed from a frail body too tired to smile.

Roger Schaefer, a man who had lost everything he worked for but still retained the things that are important, won big when his key opened the lock of a brand new Eastern boat much to the delight of his 101-year-old grandfather, who celebrated like a man not past 70.

“So many things have changed from when I was a kid but the Derby is still the Derby,” Roger told a cheering crowd.

Michael A. Paone of Newtonville arrived every weekend to fish the Derby. On the same trip, his 13-year-old son Giovanni caught a bass that put him on top of the junior division and dad landed the 37.60-pound striper that landed him a new Chevy Silverado pickup truck, courtesy of the Clay Family dealerships.

To read the full article, go to:

Martha’s Vineyard Times

Derby Awards Video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbS4yTFiG5g&feature

65th Derby Results:

• Bluefish/Boat: Estey L. Teller, 16.29 lbs.
• Bluefish/Shore: Roger A. Schaefer, 13.27 lbs.
• Striped Bass/Boat: Michael A. Paone, 37.60 lbs.
• Striped Bass/Shore: Paul P. Stamos, 31.87 lbs.
• Bonito/Boat: Wilz: A. Moreis, 10.39 lbs.
• Bonito/Shore: Dave Desmarais, 8.35 lbs.
• False Albacore/Boat: Terry W. Horrocks, 14.22 lbs.
• False Albacore/Shore: Hayden L. Boullie, 14.33 lbs.

Video: September 19, 2010: Kids Day