Young anglers honour local legacy at annual Kevin Hartman derby

Despite the name of an annual event at the Fort Erie Conversation Club being a result of tragedy, Bill Hartman and his wife Diane are glad to play a role in its success every year.

Started about 35 years ago, the fishing derby was renamed close to 30 years ago in memory of their son Kevin Hartman, one of four people killed in a car crash in western Canada.

It was only a week before his 22nd birthday when the accident occurred 28 years ago.

Fishing has been a big part of the Hartman family for many years, and Kevin was active in the event as a teenager before he died.

“The first one we had, he was the first one to cross the bridge,” Bill told Fort Erie Radio in an interview on Sunday.

The Hartmans take care of prizes, such as new rods and reels for the top participants in the event which is open to kids 12 and under in recent years.

Bill said it is “terrific” that the derby continues to be a popular event in the community.

Bob Jackson, lead organizer of the derby, said previous years have brought out between 60 and 70 young anglers.

But at Sunday’s event, which was rescheduled due to rain last weekend, there were 122 kids lined along the shore of the conservation club’s large pond.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said about the turnout, noting that about 20 fish had already been caught only a couple of hours into the morning.

Steph Noble was with youngsters Emily and Ameera, having a great time casting from a dock at the pond.

“It’s great to get the kids out to do something different,” she said, adding this was her first time but likely not their last.

Jesse Marr’s grandfather brought him to the derby in 1993, which he owes to him being an avid fisherman today, something he hopes to instill with his children, Jake and Eva.

“It really gave me a lifelong passion for fishing, big time,” he said.

Between both kids, they had caught a catfish, sunfish, and a suckerfish before speaking with Fort Erie Radio at the event.

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