Bishop’s Fishing Tournament rules: no cheating, no bananas

Registration deadline is May 31!!

The Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation is once again teaming with their Diocese of Sioux Falls counterpart to host the 14th Annual Bishop’s Fishing Tournament on June 8 that supports seminarian education. All proceeds raised on the western shores of the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area will go toward our diocesan seminarians.

Vocations Director Fr. Mark McCormick was unfortunately skunked again last year by the Sioux Falls Diocese Vocations Director Fr. Michael Kapperman. “Good thing we will have Fr. Tyler Dennis fishing with us this year,” he said. As of Sept. 1, Father Dennis is the incoming vocations director for the Rapid City Diocese and purportedly a better angler.

Father McCormick still endorsed the fishing event. “It’s a good time to hang out and have fun. One of the East River seminarians said something that stuck with me, after meeting the guys from West River, he said, ‘Now I feel like a seminarian for the State of S.D.’”

Rich Raposa, Rapid City, made the mistake of trying to smuggle a banana in his sack lunch. “These guys were serious — no bananas on a fishing boat.” Apparently, his hosts believe the age-old superstition that a banana could bring bad weather, mechanical failure, or a poor catch. He ditched it and will be sure to be banana free this year.

James Schaefers, Rapid City, was on the same boat as Deacon Todd VanderMay who will be ordained to the priesthood Friday, June 19. Schaefers said the real fun was getting to know everyone on the boat and after the tournament meeting people from all over the state. Regarding the prime rib dinner, he said, “the food was delicious.”

Organizers are seeking teams of four people to fish on shore or on boats. The day will also include a silent auction, raffle, children’s activities, Mass with Bishop Donald DeGrood of Sioux Falls, and a prime rib dinner.

Phone 605-721-6843. Register at www.wsdcf.org