Records are Shattered at the 35th Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament
Perfect weather conditions made for a wonderful two days for anglers to be on Pine Creek. They caught an abundance of the 35th Annual Upper Pine Creek Trout Tournament’s 250 tagged fish, smashing both the first day and the two-day total fish caught records.
On Saturday, May 16, the first day record of 135 fish was erased as anglers brought in a whopping 145 trout to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon Snowmobile Club check station.
On Sunday, May 17, the second day of the tournament, anglers added 29 more trout, bringing the grand total caught to 174 fish, shattering the two-day record of 167 trout.
More than 90 percent of the trout brought to the check station were released “live” back into Pine Creek using the club’s “shuttle service,” a Kawasaki Mule
Just before the tournament, the 250 tagged fish were float stocked by snowmobile club members along a 13-mile stretch of Pine Creek between the Mill Street Bridge in Galeton Borough, Potter County, and the Ansonia Bridge on Colton Road in Shippen Township, Tioga County.
The total number of anglers who registered for the tournament was 634.
Although there was no shortage of “Big Money” winners, Tyler Galbraith stood out. He caught four tagged fish that entitled him to draw four numbered ping ball balls. The first ball Tyler drew garnered him $1,000; the second, $500; and the third, $250; so he walked away with a $1,750 check. He also won a $50 gift card with the fourth ping pong ball he drew.
Along with Tyler’s winnings, there were four other $500 winners and six $250 winners.
"It all comes down to the luck of the draw," said Jim Baney, president of the snowmobile club, which sponsors the tournament. “Participants must bring their tagged fish in ‘live condition’ to the check station, which entitles them to a draw from our ping pong ball bin for each tagged fish they catch. There are 250 ping pong balls in the bin representing cash, merchandise, gift cards and gift certificates. The number on the ball drawn is matched to the number on the club's prize board to identify what the angler wins.
"Anglers like the ball draw because everyone has an equal chance to win our largest cash prizes rather than those who happen to catch the 'right' fish,” Baney said.
“Our turnout was great for the free ‘Start a Kid Fishing’ program for youngsters 12 and under. "it’s just so wonderful to see those kids' smiling faces. We’ll be doing it again during our tournament on May 15 and 16, 2027,” said Baney.
