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A regular diner at the Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood, 89 Rowayton Ave., Persinger persuaded the owner, Kevin Conroy, to dedicate staff and space to help host the event. Conroy agreed because large portions of the tournament registration fee proceeds were going to the Connecticut Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Of all the nonprofits out there, Persinger chose Make-A-Wish because of the “Batman kid who made a wish in San Francisco last November.”
He “was inspired by how that city went out of the way to help the kid forget about his serious medical issues,” he said. For every dollar donated, 82 cents goes directly to granting a terminally ill child’s wish. It can take about $10,000 to grant a wish.
The Connecticut chapter has made 2,400 wishes come true since 1986. To date, Persinger has raised almost half a wish (about $5,000). Donations are still being accepted through his website.
After a full day out on the water, about 100 tournament fishers cleaned up and enjoyed Rowayton Seafood’s dock, which overlooks the scenic Five Mile River, and a barbecue of hotdogs, burgers, corn, and more as well as some cool live music from 4 to 8 p.m.
Awards were given out in the following categories: Largest Bass (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), Largest Bluefish, Largest Fish on the Fly, Most Unusual Catch, and new this year, Largest Fish Caught on a Barbie Rod.
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