Salmon Classic returns to Silver Bay this weekend
Jul 15, 2019 07:00AM ● By Editor
By Jamey Malcomb of the Lake County News Chronicle - July 15, 2019
Anglers from all over Minnesota are getting ready for the Salmon Classic, the largest fishing tournament on the North Shore.
The 18th annual Salmon Classic is July 20-21 at the Silver Bay Marina. The event regularly draws more than 300 anglers onto Lake Superior to compete in three divisions: coho salmon, king salmon and lake trout.
The Silver Bay Parent Teacher Student Organization uses the classic as its main fundraiser of the year. It annually brings approximately $8,000 the group uses to help provide supplies and reading materials for classrooms as well as assist in reducing the cost of community education classes at William Kelley Schools.
The PTSO has used money raised from this event to purchase instruments for the band, aid the French Club in raising money for a trip to Quebec City, Canada, and purchased calculators for some of the school’s math classes.
The PTSO has also helped fund the school garden and forest at WKS, playground equipment, classroom supplies, band instruments and art supplies. Last year, the group purchased a new water fountain for the school that can also be used to fill water bottles.
In past years, money has been used to fund a glass beading workshop and purchased a kiln for the art department.
“We’ve got fabulous prizes and family fun,” tournament coordinator Jodi Kasapidis said. “It’s a really good family event and it all goes to a good cause.”
In addition to the fishing tournament, the PTSO started a new tradition last year with a bean bag tournament on the Silver Bay Marina breakwall.
For years before the tournament started, anglers would return from the first day of fishing and gather on the breakwall to listen to music and barbecue. The PTSO decided to add the bean bag tournament with the first-place team receiving a cash prize and a set of bean bag boards for each team member made by the Kelley shop class.
Tickets for the fishing tournament are $20 per person and can be purchased from local businesses in Silver Bay, Two Harbors, Beaver Bay, Finland and Duluth and at the Silver Bay Marina. Fishing on Saturday is 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded for the five largest fish in the three divisions. There are also special prizes for kids who buy a ticket, catch a fish and bring it back into the marina.
Entry for the bean bag tournament is $20 per team.
In addition, the WKS After Prom organization will operate a food tent fundraiser, selling hamburgers, hot dogs and other food.
For more information about the Salmon Classic or to purchase tickets directly from the PTSO, email [email protected] or go to facebook.com/silverbayptso.
