It all started in 1944
The photo, taken by Leland Gerber, shows Kimmel Marshall (left) and an unidentified sportsman promoting the 1955 trout derby.
• CLICK HERE for details on this year's derby.
Sunday is the 75th anniversary Bluffton Sportsmen's Club trout derby. Eugene Benroth once said that the derby, which he played a huge part of promoting, was started during World War II as a way to bring the community together during a trying time.
It must have worked because it's still going on each year. Over the years the derby became a Bluffton instutition. Little has changed since 1944.
• The derby is still on the first Sunday of May
of course, this year it moved to June due to flooding).
• The derby is still at the Buckeye
• Trout is the featured fish
• There's a number 1 tagged trout, that since the mid-1950s is named to recognize a Bluffton institution or person
• There are lots of prizes for tagged fish caught
(another Eugene Benroth marketing attraction)
In case you wonder about all those tagged number ones, Here's a list - not quite complete – and we are still working on the missing years. There's certainly someone you know on this famous Bluffton list. As soon as we complete the list, we will share it with Icon viewers.
2019
Bluffton Sportmen's Club's 75th anniversary
Big 75
2018
Ronald "Guppy" Montgomery
Guppy
2017
Sam Diller
Sudden Sam
2016
Bluffton Slaw Cutter
Ole Cutter
2015
Andy Herrmann
Big Andy
2014
Southgate Lanes
The King Pin
2013
Bluffton Peerless Ohio Glove Factory
Big Glove
2012
Tom Augsburger
Ole Augie
2011
Bluffton's 150th anniversary
Grand Shannon
1997 to 2010
We are missing these years
1996
Edgar Cook
Big Ed
1987 to 1995
We are missing these years
1986
Jim Herrmann
Old Cob
1985
Charles Swank
Charlie
1984
Ken Moser
Little Mos
1983
Ralph Augsburger
Big Ox
1982
Milt Edwards
Mighty Milt
1981
Forrest Steinman
Forrest
1980
Bluffton Stone Co. 75th anniversary
Golden Crusher
1979
Triplett Corp. 75th anniversary
Jubilee
1978
Bluffton Volunteer Fire Dept.
Old Smokey
1977
Coach A. C. Burcky
Coach A.C.
1976
Bicentennial
Old Glory
1975
Arden Baker
Big Arb
1974
John Gilbert
Big Gilly
1973
Fred Tschantz
Fast Freddy
1972
Oscar Wenger
Ol Oscar
1971
John Amstutz
Big John
1970
Gene Benroth
Big Benny
1969
25th Trout Derby Anniversary
Quick Silver
1968
Lester Neuenschwander
Big Les
1967
Jess Manges
Big Jess
1966
Denver Augsburger
Old Demps
1965
Gerald Swank
Old Tuffy
1964
Commemorate oil fever
Oily Irvin
1963
Big Buck
1962
Big Buck
1961
Bluffton's centennial
Old Grand Dad
1956 to 1960
No special name
1955
Bluffton Stone Co. 50th anniversary
Big Stoney
1954
Triplett Corp. 50th anniversary
Big Goldie
1953
Pete the Pickerel
1952
no names given for previous years
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, November 23, 2024
- Pirate football downs Patriots in Region 22 final
- Owen D. Ziessler worked for Accubuilt
- Weekend Doctor: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Agenda for Bluffton Council on November 25
- Super Cute Dresses ships 10,000 packages via Bluffton Post Office in 2024
- Volunteer opportunities at Bluffton Hospital
- Invitation to provide monthly display at Bluffton library
Friday, November 22, 2024
- Ticket and livestream info for Bluffton Pirates v. Patrick Henry football
- Service of thanks at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran
- Pirate girls basketball beats Hornets in McDonald’s opener
- 100+ voices in Bluffton's Handel's Messiah chorus
- Pirate Worcester named top district defender
- BVHS receives Level 7 achievement in ‘Most Wired’ survey
Thursday, November 21, 2024
- McDonald’s Holiday Tournament, Thursday, November 21
- 2024 Fall Festival in pictures: At the Schumacher Homestead
- Fairy I. Parkins was postmaster of Benton Ridge
- Council committee and residents discuss ADUs, best and worst case scenarios
- BPL hosts Open Crafts and Game Space, November 26
- Women in Business meet November 21
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
- Bluffton Beavers sports roundup, Nov. 13-19
- ODOT prepping for first snow of the season
- Mason named OBL 2024 Banker of the Year
- October 2024 land transfers in Bluffton school district
- November chamber meeting explores member news, Blaze plans and flag etiquette
- Bluffton EMS by the numbers: October 2024
- Children left unattended in running vehicles can lead to abductions
- Icon search function goes from 0 to 30
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- Tickets and streaming information for Nov. 22 Pirate football playoff game
- Spirit Bus for November 22 football playoff in Findlay
- Tea Bag Exchange & Tasting at BPL, November 21
- Letter: University students learn about Fair Trade
- Join volunteer crew for 2024 Ream Display-Blaze of Lights setup
- Village of Bluffton asks for updated utility billing contact information