Two fish stories from the same Bluffton girl; if you don't believe us, ask Gary Kirtland
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Here's a couple fishing stories worth repeating. First, can you figure out what each of these photos has in common?
Answer: Kathy Kirtland Lanning is in both. She's Gary Kirtland's sister, BHS 1968 grad, now living in Colorado.
Let's examine the black and white photo. This photo, taken by Paul Diller in the early 1950s shows "Sport" Kirtland holding what appears to be a very large carp. The little girl on the right is Sport's granddaughter, Kathy. If you examine the face of Sport, you'll start to see the resemblance between he and his grandson, Gary.
As far as we can tell, the carp was caught either in the Buckeye or the National quarry. We've not yet nailed down the location of the photo. Anyone older than 70 viewing this might offer a suggestion to the location or reveal more information about this catch of the day once upon a time in Bluffton.
Sport apparently also taught Gary to fish although Gary's interest is a larger pond than the Buckeye. His pond of interest is a lake north of the Ohio border, just south of Canada.
Now we come to the color photo. Guess what, it's Kathy again. Apparently she also picked up some great fishing tips from her grandfather. This photo, on permanent display in the lobby of Kirtland's Auto Sales, reads: "Catch of the Day. It's a catfish."
Maybe some day tagged trout number one ought to be named "Sport," or just plain "Kirtland." The question remains, would Kathy come back and put the tag on number 1?
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Sunday, June 29, 2025
Saturday, June 28, 2025
- Community Pool closed June 28
- Weekend Doctor: About Rotator Cuff Repair
- WOAL Swim Champs in Wapakoneta July 11-12
- '60s Survivors Band plays fifth annual free concert
- Bluffton Lions to bring all-abilities playground to new Legacy Park
- July 2025 programs and services at Bluffton Public Library
- Save the date: July 17 Garden Club is all about herbs
- Bluffton Vacation Bible School, July 13-17 at Bluffton Y
Friday, June 27, 2025
- Foundation launches Rooted to Rise initiative
- Eight vehicle injury crash IR 75 in Hancock County
- Bluffton Mayor commends Safety Services on June 26 injury accident response
- What's in your weekend?, June 27-28-29
- Go wolfhound to Bluffton
- Letter: Ask for veto of HB 96 library provision
- ODNR Offering Hunter Education Instructor Classes