Big fish by the numbers

NEW LONDON — Anglers registered 59 fish over the two-day Whopper Weekend fishing challenge held on the Wolf River July 17-18. The New London Fish and Game Club event featured categories for the longest sheepshead, longest carp and longest stringer of walleye.
Nick Woodke brought in the longest stringer of walleye, measuring 41.25 inches. Josh Ritchie registered the largest sheepshead at 17 3/4 inches. Dylan Ross gave Ritchie a run for his money, measuring his largest sheepshead at 17 1/8 inches.
Fourteen-year-old Zach Bergsbaken and his 13-year-old fishing friend James Kosmerchock fished relentlessly across both days of the competition.
The pair landed numerous species, including northern pike, catfish, redhorse suckers, sheepshead, smallmouth and largemouth bass, and several large bluegills. However, they could not muster a sizable carp during the final day of the contest.
The boys focused largely on carp during the second day of fishing after learning no anglers had registered one yet. Kosmerchock pedaled his bike home for a can of sweet corn, and the duo fished behind the old cheese plant using a combination of nightcrawlers and corn. They eventually hooked into a carp, but the fish broke free before getting within net range.
Dozens of raffle prizes were drawn and awarded at the New London Fish and Game Club clubhouse on Saturday, July 18. For a full list of winners, visit the New London Fish & Game Club page on Facebook.