Children swamp Phil Simon Memorial Crappie Tournament

The New Prague Sportsman’s Club’s Phil Simon Memorial Crappie Tournament was swamped with 27 youngsters wanting to cast their lines into Cedar Lake, Saturday, May 3. It was the most children the annual tourney has had.

Club president Billy Bartusek was not expecting that many youngsters. “It caught me a little off guard,” said Bartusek. “It’s pretty amazing.”

The tournament, named in honor of the late Phil Simon, a New Prague business owner and sportsman, had 37 boats with more than 100 people, including the children, participating.

“It was a pretty good day. We caught a lot of crappie,” said Bryce Stilen, who was fishing with his sister Ellaine and their dad Buck Stilen of Belle Plaine. Bryce said they caught 28 fish.

“This was my first time,” said Ellaine about the tournament, although she has gone fishing before with her brother and dad. “It took as lot of patience waiting for the fish to come.”

Bryce said he had been in the tournament before with his dad.

Another team out fishing were Kylee and Emmett Borwege, who were out for their first time at the tourney. Kylee said they were catching a lot of sunnies.

“We caught one bass, which we released,” said Emmett.

“It was fun, it went fast,” Kylee said.

Mike Darley and his young son, Roman, were at their...

To see more on this story pick up the May 22, 2025 print edition of The New Prague Times.