NORTH RIDGEVILLE — Fishing, one of life’s greatest pastimes, is being revived in North Ridgeville.

The North Ridgeville Fishing Club, which was founded about 12 years ago by North Ridgeville resident Bob Kirkpatrick, began as a way to allow men and women to share their fishing tales during the winter months.

MELISSA LINEBRINK/CHRONICLE

Members of the North Ridgeville Fishing Club get together once a month to talk strategy.

Now, most men and women come together once a month because of the fellowship, and to learn about new, or old, fishing strategies.

“We (initially) met during the winter to tell stories, but we always have fun times,” Kirkpatrick, the club’s president, said.

According to Kirkpatrick, 76, it was 12 years ago when he realized that members of his church, Fields United Methodist Church, stuck around to talk about their common interest — fishing — so they decided to form an official group.

Eventually, the North Ridgeville Senior Center allowed the club to meet at its facility since many of the members are senior citizens or retired.

John Stanfield, 74, of North Ridgeville, joined the North Ridgeville Fishing Club when it began.

Stanfield remembers fishing on and off when he had a full-time job, but since he retired, it became one of his top priorities. He has even traveled throughout the United States and to the Caribbean to partake in his favorite pastime.

“I enjoy the fellowship with a group of guys my age — mostly the senior age. We fish about the same — we make lures, we fish from a boat or the shore. There are all types of fishermen,” Stanfield said.

Currently, there are more than 60 members, including a number of husband and wife teams, including Bob Kirkpatrick and his wife, Audrey.

“Sometimes, she out-fishes him,” fellow fisherman Don Yates said, laughing.

Aside from starting the fishing club in North Ridgeville, Kirkpatrick was instrumental in convincing the city to reconfigure South Central Park to make it more fisherman-friendly.

“At one time they were going to fill in the old swimming pond, but we took plans before the city to save the pond and helped make the fishing pond the way it is today,” Kirkpatrick said.

And on any given day during the warmer months, people of all ages can be seen enjoying the pond from the fishing pier whether they are fishing or simply having a picnic.

One of the biggest events that attracts families to the park is the annual fishing derby sponsored by the North Ridgeville Fire Department. During one weekend in May, children under the age of 18 are encouraged to be part of it.

“The week before the fishing derby takes place, the pond is stocked,” Kirkpatrick said.

The fishing derby is just one of the many ways the North Ridgeville Fishing Club involves itself within the community.

The club also has volunteered its time throughout the county at adult day care centers, retirement communities and nursing homes.

The club works closely with the North Ridgeville Parks and Recreation Department, North Ridgeville High School’s special needs students, St. Peter Catholic School and the Knights of Columbus.

Most members are over the age of 55, but the club members said anyone is welcome to join.

Dale Austin, 74, of North Ridgeville, said today’s youth are often more interested in computers or video games than they are in fishing, but he hopes that soon will change.

Yates agreed.

“We are trying to get young dads (and moms) interested who have kids because if we don’t keep the kids interested, the club will die,” Yates said.

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---