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The Scott Jennings Story Contest Rules This page is designed to highlight the annual Scott Jennings Memorial Kids Fishing Contest. Below you will find the history of the event as well as pictures from the events. The Scott Jennings Story Scott Jennings was the son of Rose Zerkle, and the step-son of Robert Zerkle. He truly loved the outdoors, and was an avid fisherman and hunter. Scott was the type of person you would love to fish or hunt with. You could see it in his eyes. When someone mentioned going fishing, Scott was the first one to grab his fishing pole and other tackle. He seemed to have a natural talent for finding the best fishing hole, and selecting the right bait. he always had time to help anyone he was with, be it untangling a snarled fishing line, running to the car to get bait, or anything else. He was always polite and courteous to anyone he met. Scott's step-father, Robert Zerkle, opened a sporting goods store, Canvasback Hunting & Fishing. Scott and his brother, Charles Jennings, became partners in the business, even though both of them were quite young. Scott worked at the store, and enjoyed talking, fishing, and hunting, with the customers that came in. He always had a smile on his face, and was thought very highly of by the customers that he dealt with. Even some of the older fisherman, that came in the store, would seek advice from, or ask Scott about his fishing secrets. He would happily let them in on his fishing tricks, such as what baits were hot, what species were biting etc. This would almost always improve their fishing trips. The spring of 1980, Robert Zerkle contacted the Macomb Police Department, and wanted to sponsor a kids fishing contest. Mr. Zerkle wanted the Macomb Police Department to join him in this endeavor. Mr. Zerkle wanted to do something that would give kids something to do and help introduce them to the sport of fishing. The Macomb Police Department also thought this would give area youngsters a chance to meet and interact with officers on the department. It was decided to the first Kids Fishing Contest at Spring Lake Park in late May 1980. Scott Jennings was the young enough to enter the first contest, but decided to stay home and run the sporting goods store. Canvasback Hunting and Fishing was one of the very few places that sold bait at the time, so Scott stayed home and sold bait, so other kids could get bait to fish a the Contest. The fishing contest was a big success, and it was decided to make it an annual event. As luck would have it, the very night of the first Kids Fishing Contest, Scott Jennings was fatally injured in an automobile accident, as was the driver of the car. Scott's brother, Charles, was severely injured. The members of the Macomb Police Department decided to honor Scott by naming the fishing contest after him. The event has been known as the Scott Jennings Memorial Kids Fishing Contest ever since May of 1981. The Police Department obtained a large trophy, the Sportsmanship Trophy, which is awarded each year to a contestant that exhibits the traits that Scott Jennings was known for. It was decided to award this trophy to the one contestant, that displayed true sportsmanship. They wouldn't have to catch a single fish, but would have to be the type of person that you would truly like to go fishing with. Contest Rules There are four age groups, with ten top places receiving prizes, in each age group. The age groups are, 1-5, 6-9, 10-12, 13-15. There will be smaller prizes given to everyone who does not finish in the top ten of their age group. All contestants must furnish their own fishing pole, bait, and container or stringer for the fish they catch. Contestants may use only one pole. Contestants must land their own fish, with no assistance from an adult. Adults may bait hooks, cast lines, and remove fish from hooks. All fish will be weighed at the conclusion of the contest, except for under sized fish that state law demands to be released. These fish should be weighed in as they are caught and then released. All fish must be caught by hook and line. Fish that are dipped from the lake, or found to be floating, cannot be weighed as part of the catch. All contestants must fish from the bank. No one will be allowed to fish from the boat docks or boats that are moored at the docks. (This is for safety reasons) Parents and / or Guardians are encouraged to accompany the contestants. All contestants should be picked up after the contest ends. All contest officials will leave the lake at 1:00 PM. Contestants do NOT have to be Macomb residents to participate. |
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