Tournament organizer, Mike Schoen; 1st place winner Rich Nelson; 3rd place winner Zach Sopczyk; 2nd place winner Tom Maida; Mountainman president, John Nemjo; and Zach Martin, Wilderness Systems representative. Photo by Bill Reynolds
One of the events held in conjunction with Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company’s annual Adirondack Paddlefest, held in Old Forge the weekend of May 15, 16 and 17, was the 2nd Annual Adirondack Kayak Fishing Tournament.
Following the two-day tournament, Rich Nelson of Old Forge took the top prize, a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 Angler model kayak valued at $1,045, with his 32.5-inch-long Northern Pike.
Tom Maida won second place, and Zach Sopczyk came in third place.
The tournament was presented and run by Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company and sponsored by Wilderness Systems Kayaks and Kayak Angler Magazine.
Wilderness Systems provided the prizes, with Wilderness Systems Angling Team member Drew Haerer and sales representative Zach Martin providing tournament support.
Mountainman’s resident kayak angler, Mike Schoen, organized and oversaw the tournament.
“This was a great tournament! We had 25 entries this year…the tournament has become very popular with anglers in the central New York area. Kayak fishing has started to take off in the Adirondacks and this tournament will only get better and more popular in the coming years,” said John Nemjo, Mountainman president.
Nemjo thanked Wilderness Systems for their team support and providing the prizes, and Schoen for his great job in putting the tournament together.
