Fishing on the ice at the Last Chance Derby. – Photo provided.
SPOONER – The Still Bar & Grill in Spooner turned a quiet March day into a bustling celebration of fishing and philanthropy on Saturday, March 1, with its annual “Last Chance Fishing Derby.” The event drew over 100 participants, a big change from the 15 or 20 who braved 14 inches of snow at its debut in 2012.
What started as a way to boost off-season business has evolved into a heartfelt fundraiser for the Mike Morris Scholarship Fund, now in its fifth or sixth year, according to organizer Stephanie Gage. “It’s always been about community,” Gage said, reflecting on the event’s growth. The derby honors Mike Morris, a Spooner High School alumnus, land surveyor and avid outdoorsman who became a close friend of Gage’s before his untimely passing at a young age.
The day buzzed with raffles, a basket raffle and a 50/50 drawing, all fueling the scholarship fund that awards 10 grants annually. Open to any student who submits an essay, the scholarships prioritize academic merit and a passion for the outdoors, which is a nod to Morris’s legacy as an athlete and environmental enthusiast. “We look for kids who reflect Mike’s spirit,” Gage said.
The Still Bar & Grill, a fixture since 1992 when Gage’s mother bought the original Bass Lake Inn, has seen its share of transitions. Reopened by Gage in 2011 after her mother’s dementia diagnosis, it became The Still in 2019. Yet its community roots run deep. “It’s a family thing,” Gage noted, crediting a tight-knit crew of volunteers consisting of friends and locals for making the derby possible.
Local businesses chipped in too, once requiring Gage to “beg for door prizes” but now donating eagerly to the nonprofit cause. This year, participants vied for prizes bought and donated alike, with proceeds historically aiding neighbors in hardship alongside the scholarships. “We’re totally locally supported,” Gage said proudly.
