Yates, Huegel top anglers in fourth event of Panfish Cup series

On April 24, Frank Yates and his grandson D.J. Huegel won the fourth event in
the Panfish Cup fishing tournament held at Miami Whitewater Forest Lake. The
Panfish Cup, in its inaugural year, is a series of seven tournaments. The team
that weighs in the most fish through all seven tournaments will win the
cherished Panfish Cup along with a percentage of all the entry fees.

Yates and Huegel won the competition weighing in with 55.72 pounds of crappie
and bluegill. "I use ultra light equipment because it makes it easier for the
crappie to pull the floater under water," said Yates.

Frank Eicher of Harrison, Ohio and Lonnie Keith of Cincinnati, who are competing
individually, tied for second with 54.07 pounds. In the overall standings,
Eicher is ranked first, with Keith coming in a close second. Though Yates and
Huegel stand in third place, they have momentum going in their favor, for they
also won the previous tournament which was held on March 27.

Yates, 57, has been fishing all his life, and he has recently passed the
tradition onto his grandson who is a mere 13 years of age. "The Hamilton County
Parks District is a great place for kids," said Yates. "We fished in four
tournaments last year and won three. We have won two of four this year."

Huegel was four the first time he went fishing, and as Huegel grows older he is
becoming more invested in the sport. "I think it would mean quite a bit for my
grandson to win the whole thing. I think it would be a thrill," said Yates. "The
winning means more to him than it does to me, but I enjoy fishing with D.J."

Although the Panfish Cup is in its first year, it is has been well received by
the local fishing community. Participants include mostly people around the
Cincinnati area. "These are just guys who like to come out and have some
competitive fun," said Michael Brech, the Harbor Manager for the Hamilton County
Park District. "These guys like the professional tournament feel."

Registration for each event begins one hour before the start of the tournament,
and the entry fee is $40 per team, per tournament. The tournaments start at 8
a.m. and end at 1 p.m. The next tournament dates are Sept. 11, September 25, and
Oct. 9.

While Panfish Cup events may be on a hiatus during the summer months, the
grandfather/grandson duo of Yates and Huegel will not being taking a break from
fishing, just changing locations. "In the summertime we'll float the Whitewater
River in Brookville, Indiana," said Yates. "When the lakes get warm you have
better luck fishing the streams and rivers."

For more information on all Hamilton County Park District fishing tournaments,
visit GreatParks.org or call (513) 521-PARK (7275).

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