Young people are our future! As sportsmen and women we are proud of our deep roots in family and tradition. In each future SAM News we will celebrate our roots by featuring a child and their family. Feel free to send information about your youngster and we will consider them in a future SAM News. Send us your photographs and a brief autobiography as well as the family history.

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Youth Day 2012
Results from Aroostook County

Here's one happy camper!
Cameron with his 10 point 200 lb buck. Send your Youth Day pictures and we will add them to our
Photo Gallery.

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By: Ryan McNelly, Waldoboro

Brooke McNelly, age 2, is the daughter of Ryan and Jasmine McNelly of Waldoboro. Her grandparents are Jeff and Laura McNelly and Greg and Mary Olson and her great-grandmother is Nancy Genthner, all of Waldoboro. Both families share a long tradition of hunting, fishing and spending time in the outdoors. Ryan and his father Jeff, both hold Wildlife degrees from the University of Maine. Brooke’s maternal great-grandfather, Wayne Genthner, was an avid sportsman and a great friend of SAM Executive Director, David Trahan.

Brooke’s uncle, Boone Olson, shot his first deer three years ago on Youth day, from a two man tree stand he bought with money he earned working at a local farm. Boone and Ryan were in the stand 30 minutes when the 195 pound, 7 point buck came up out of a swamp and offered a 15 yard shot as it crossed in front of them Brooke caught her first trout on a hooked on fishing day for youth sponsored by the Lincoln County Fish and Game Club. She attended the event with her dad and mom, and at only 2 years of age she was one of the youngest fishermen in attendance. This day was the highlight of her spring. Both of the trout that she reeled in measured more than 11 inches. She got so excited when her bobber started bobbing; she couldn’t wait to yank on her pole and reel in her fish. Although still very young, Brooke already has a passion for fishing; she enjoys playing with the worms while her dad baits her hook and even watching intently while he cleans her catch. She loves all of her 5 fishing poles, especially her purple princess pole. Brooke is constantly practicing by casting her plugs at her uncles and laughing hysterically when she hits them.

Both of Ryan and Jasmine’s families share a tradition of spending time in the outdoors. Ryan has always had a great passion for being in the outdoors; something that was passed down to him by his father. Whether it is fishing, hunting, hiking, or canoeing and no matter what the season, Ryan enjoys it all. And Jasmine’s grandfather, Wayne Genthner, instilled in her along with her brothers, sisters and cousins the love and fun of fishing at a young age. It brings great joy to both of Brooke’s parents to see their daughter taking part in and enjoying these same activities that they have grown to love in a beautiful state that has so much to offer. As far as Brooke’s future fishing endeavors go, she already owns several ice fishing traps and will definitely be found on the ice with her dad and mom this coming winter.

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