Professional angler Marianne Huskey of St. Ignace displays a 29-inch walleye, the fish young anglers will hope to catch during the Angler Young Angler Tournament set for Sunday, June 21, on Burt and Mullett lakes. (Photograph courtesy of Marianne Huskey) One leg of an international youth fishing tournament will be held on Burt and Mullett lakes in June and will net the winner a new boat, two motors, and the opportunity to compete in Kanora, Ontario, for the championship spot. The event also will be filmed for the cable channel, the Outdoor Network.

Open to children up to 17 years old, the first Angler Young Angler Tournament is scheduled for Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, with fishing hours from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event is restricted to 50 team entries with three people per team. Two team members must be 17 years old or younger.

Marianne Huskey of St. Ignace is spearheading the event. She is a professional angler and pro-staff member of Lund Boats and Mercury Marine motors.

"It's important to us to bring these kids out on the water," said Mrs. Huskey, "and let them get the experience of what it's like to be involved in competitive sport angling."

A maximum of five walleye will be allowed to be weighed in, with placing based on the heaviest weight overall. In case of a tie, a team's heaviest fish will determine the winner.

A total of 27 tournaments are being held in the U.S. and Canada. The winner from each tournament, with 13 scheduled in Canada and 14 set in the U.S., will receive a 12-foot Lund boat, two Mercury motors, and travel to the championship tournament. The international championship winner will receive an allexpense paid Canadian fishing trip and a family trip to Disney World. Each participant will receive a Tshirt and a goodie bag.

A film crew from the Outdoor Network will travel both lakes shooting footage for the television broadcast. The show also will be available for viewing on the Internet.

"This is really big for the northern Michigan area with the exposure we're going to get from this," she said. "When people see this television show and it draws them up to this area, whether it be for fishing, hiking, camping, whatever, hopefully this will help generate revenue in the long run."

The event is being coordinated by Jim Wehr's Mackinaw Outfitters in Mackinaw City and Maple Bay Marine in Brutus. Local sponsors include First National Bank, Straits Area Sportsman Club, and Tom Huskey Construction. Those interested in becoming a sponsor can contact Maple Bay Marine at (231) 529-6155.

Entry fee per team is $150. Rules and more information can be found at www.angleryoungangler.ca or anglers can register locally at Maple Bay Marine or at Jim Wehr's Mackinaw Outfitters.