Berlin Lions Club
2023 will mark the 16th Year of VIP Fishing in Connecticut! The Berlin Lions are proud to announce they continue to sponsor the VIP Junior and VIP Adult Fishing Tournaments. No fee is charged to register or attend the tournaments. Everything needed for an exciting day of fishing: the fishing charter for the adults, breakfast, fishing poles, bait, lunch, and awards are all provided. The three top anglers in both tournaments receive trophies as well.
The Tournament Committee works with BESB; Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind, the BVA; Blind Veterans Association, the NFB; The National Federation of the Blind, Berlin Lions, and Lions Clubs from around the state. These tournaments are possible through the volunteer support and financial assistance of these, as well as private and corporate donations.
The VIP tournaments are not just a day of fishing. It’s an exciting day filled with old and new friendships and networking. They are also educational and offer the opportunity for personal growth and empowerment.
Dates
- Sunday, April 30, 2023 – Junior VIP Fishing Tournament
- Monday, May 22, 2023 – Senior VIP Fishing Tournament
Junior VIP Fishing Tournament
The Junior event is open to all visually impaired children from 3 to 18 years of age. If registration is received before April 8th, our junior VIP’s also receive a tournament shirt and hat.
Location
Sage Park Pond
1591 Berlin Turnpike
Berlin, Connecticut
Schedule
| 8:30 – 9:00 am | Registration and Breakfast |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – Noon | Fishing |
| Noon | Lunch and Awards |
Adult VIP Fishing Tournament (Monday, May 22, 2023)
The Adult tournament, open to those visually impaired age 18 years and older, is a full day of fishing aboard the Black Hawk Sport Fishing Charter or the Sunbeam Fleet out of Niantic, CT.
Competition is fierce! In addition to competing for trophies, three top anglers (if they haven’t attended in the past 2 years) are eligible to represent Connecticut at the 2023 New England and National VIP Fishing Tournaments held in October on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The North Carolina Lions VIP Fishing Tournament is the largest service project of its kind in the world.
Location
Black Hawk Fishing Charter
11 East Main Street (GPS Address)
Niantic, CT
Sunbeam Fleet
15 First Street
Waterford, CT
Schedule
| 6:30 – 7:00 am | Check in and board the charter. Coffee, beverages and a “boxed” breakfast will be available. We are unable to hold the charter for anyone who does not arrive on time. Please be sure you arrive no later than 7:00am. |
|---|---|
| 7:30 am | Depart for fishing. Lunch (turkey and ham sandwiches, snacks and beverages) will be provided on the boat. You are also welcome to bring your own if preferred. |
| 3:00 pm | Approximate return to dock, Filomena’s Restaurant for dinner and awards. Immediately following the tournament, dinner and awards will be held at: Filomena’s Restaurant Utopia Centre 262 Boston Post Road, Waterford |
Additional Information
For additional information and pictures from past tournaments, go to:
If you have questions, would like an application for yourself, or if you know of someone who would benefit from the VIP experience, please contact Berlin Lion Charley Satkowski, or Lori Satkowski:
Email: satkowski@sbcglobal.net
Home Tel: (860) 828-1427
Charley Cell: (860) 538-5809
Lori Cell: (860) 250-4663
Registration
If you know of a visually impaired child or adult from your community who would benefit by participating in this event, please contact us. For more information, or if you would like to become a volunteer, or make a donation, please contact Charley or Lori Satkowski.
- Home: 860-828-1427
- Charley Cell: 860-538-5809
- Lori Cell: 860-250-4663
- satkowski@sbcglobal.net