Gabby Sophomore Is the 2025 Gabby Champion
The 2025 Gabby Hayes Memorial Trout Fishing Tournament on April 12
was won by retired Army veteran Paul Geach in just his second year at the Gabby.
Paul caught the winning 17 ½-inch rainbow at about 6:15 p.m. at the straight
stretch of Kettle just downstream from the path to camp. He cast a half-
ounce, rainbow-colored Daredevil to the far side of the stream and drifted it
past a log. The rainbow hit Paul’s lure just as it passed the prominent
overhang that extends to the water surface. It was his third fish of the day.
Paul reported that when he caught the rainbow he honestly didn’t think it
would win the tournament.
Fishing with his son-in-law, 2014 Gabby champion Alex Bedont, Paul
bested 18 other competitors, including four other father and son duos and six
former Gabby champions. At age 60, Paul is the second oldest fisherman to
win the Gabby. Mark Bedont won at age 61 in 2009.
Overall, there were plenty of recently stocked trout in our section of stream.
Although the stream temperature was too cold for any hatches, the water
level of the stream was near the mean, making for generally safe wading,
with only one report of a swimmer. It did rain off and on all week. On the
plus side, because of the rain, the usually standing fire ban was lifted.
Campers were able to arrive in camp early and fish all week, thanks to Mike
Shanks again reserving our campsite in The Pines and Founder Dane
Konop’s idea to hold the Gabby tournament the week after opening day.
Fireguy Darien Bohdal and son Caleb, Alex Bedont and Paul Geach, and
Mike Shanks arrived in The Pines on Monday afternoon to set up their
campsites and Colaianneville. It was cold and rainy, but fortunately the
camp firewood supplier, Ron Fisher, arrived Monday evening with his
single-axle dump truck full of wood. The delivery went quite smoothly after
he recovered from backing into a tree.
On Tuesday, the State Fisheries showed up in Gabby camp with around a
dozen bucket brigade men bearing over 200 trout as a gift for Kettle Creek.
Tuesday afternoon the winds were not friendly and caused a rip on
Colaianneville’s stream side, although Darien promptly reported that it was
fixable. We were also informed by the State during their visit in camp that
they had put an additional 200 trout in at the pipeline right of way, as well as
repeating this stocking two weeks prior. With the previous weekend’s
opening day being a total rain washout, it was obvious there was now an awful lot of trout in
the creek for us to catch. Wednesday was a beautiful sunny day in the upper 60’s with plenty of fish
biting in the creek. Around noon, Mike, Alex, and Paul headed south to the
Shanksylvania B&B near Snow Shoe to have a Gabby Eve pork loin dinner.
Mike’s son-on-law Jeff Marlow made it to Shanksylvania on Wednesday afternoon.
On Thursday morning, the five headed back up to Gabby camp to join
Darien and Caleb. Founder Dane arrived at Gabby camp fashionably late
Thursday evening, after he and son Dane Christian had settled into a cabin in Oleana.
On Friday, Webmaster Julius Czarnecki and son, Octavian, Joe Hrubos,
Chris Miller and Jimmy Pellegrini, Jeff and Eric Mueller, Ryan “Smoke
Break” Marlow, Brandon Muth and his rookie/cousin, Tray Gonzalez, Jeff’s
rookies Leo and his father Bill Mirzo arrived in camp. Although the on-and-
off rain continued Friday, the Gabby Guys were able to stay dry and warm
under Colaiaineville. Saturday started out with light rain, which let up by mid-day. With the sun
occasionally peaking out from behind the lingering clouds, the temperature
rose to a comfortable low 60s. Despite the rain, the stream was running
clear at a little above the mean of 690 of cubic feet per second.
At one point or another, everyone made it down to Kettle Creek with only
one report of a swimmer. Saturday evening, prior to the business meeting, “Venison Vic,” aka Chef
Shanks, passed around his marinaded deer medallions that he had seared
over the campfire coals. The scrumptious meat treat has become a staple of
Gabby camp meetings. Promptly at 9 p.m., the business meeting was called to order by acting
Master of Arms Alex Bedont, in the absence of newly appointed Master of
Arms and 2024 Gabby champion Drew Rose, who had been lured away
from the 2025 Gabby for a family vacation. Founder Dane officially
welcomed all to the 49 th annual Gabby camp, followed by Mike Shanks’
Invocation recognizing the 14 Gabby Guys who have passed away,
including three over the past year.
The camp head count went off almost without a hitch, if you ignored Jeff
Marlow’s intentional miscount, which we all did, for a 20 Gabby Guy count.
Gabby Guys in attendance included Founder Dane and son Dane Christian,
acting Master of Arms Alex Bedont and father-in-law Paul Geach, Fire Guy
Darien Bohdal and son Caleb, Webmaster Julius Czarnecki and son
Octavian,, Eric and his uncle Jeff Mueller, Mike Shanks, Joe Hrubos, Chris
Miller, Jimmy Pellegrini, Jeff Marlow and his rookies Leo and father Bill
Mirzo, Ryan “Smoke Break” Marlow, Brandon Muth and his rookie Tray
Gonzalez.
The “Old Business” segment of the meeting started off with Webmaster
Julius Czarnecki’s GabbyHayes.net update and a request for everyone to
share their emails, which will be added to the contact section of the web
page. The rollout of the newly created Gabby Facebook page managed by
Webmaster Julius and his technical foreman Jeff Marlow was presented and
received positive feedback. Next, the highly anticipated, newly refurbished
Selby Cup was displayed by Marlow Refurbishing, Inc. Adding a new level
for 24 additional name winner tags assures the end of the world will be
averted at least until 2050. Following the display of the Selby Cup, an
update of the Building and Zoning Committee was presented by Mike
Shanks filling in for absent Chair Zach Anderson.
Under new business, Mike reported he would reserve The Pines campsite for
April 13-19, 2026 (since confirmed). In his Facilities Report, Darien suggested the
Colaianneville tarp might have to be replaced.Under Housekeeping, Mike reported that the firewood cost and the
campsite reservation fee had depleted the Steve “Fireguy” Mueller Memorial
Firewood Fund by $100, requiring a $20 per camper assessment this year to
replenish the fund. Baseball hats with the slogan “The Gabby Modern Era 1976-2025” that
Mike brought to camp were eagerly acquired by Gabby Guys for a modest
$10 a piece.
In other new business, Founder Dane established a 50 th Anniversary
Tournament Commemorative Committee, which will include volunteers Bill
Mirzo, Julius, Mike Shanks and Jeff Marlowe.
This year’s fish count total for the tournament was 39, resulting in a
somewhat average Gabby Fish Quotient of 1.95 fish per fisherman.
Stream reports were shared around the campfire, with only Ryan reporting
that he unintentionally dove into the creek to look for trout. As in most
previous years, a Rookie of the Year nomination was tabled as quickly as it
was brought up with no nominations presented.
Next was the call for Gabby contenders. Several Gabby Guys jockeyed for
the coveted Gabby, although no one was able to compete with the beautiful
17 ½-inch Rainbow that Paul Geach laid down on the Gabstick. In the
absence of 2024 Gabby champion Drew Rose, 2023 Gabby winner Darien
Bohdal presented Paul with the Selby Cup and the 2025 Gabby trophy. In
his acceptance speech, an overjoyed Paul graciously accepted the prestigious
honor of catching the Gabby. Following the presentation of the trophies,
hearty congratulations, and the champion photo op, Founder Dane adjourned
the meeting.
The 50th Gabby Hayes Memorial Trout Fishing Tournament will be on
April 18, 2026.
The 2025 Gabby Hayes Memorial Trout Fishing Tournament on April 12
was won by retired Army veteran Paul Geach in just his second year at the Gabby.
Paul caught the winning 17 ½-inch rainbow at about 6:15 p.m. at the straight
stretch of Kettle just downstream from the path to camp. He cast a half-
ounce, rainbow-colored Daredevil to the far side of the stream and drifted it
past a log. The rainbow hit Paul’s lure just as it passed the prominent
overhang that extends to the water surface. It was his third fish of the day.
Paul reported that when he caught the rainbow he honestly didn’t think it
would win the tournament.
Fishing with his son-in-law, 2014 Gabby champion Alex Bedont, Paul
bested 18 other competitors, including four other father and son duos and six
former Gabby champions. At age 60, Paul is the second oldest fisherman to
win the Gabby. Mark Bedont won at age 61 in 2009.
Overall, there were plenty of recently stocked trout in our section of stream.
Although the stream temperature was too cold for any hatches, the water
level of the stream was near the mean, making for generally safe wading,
with only one report of a swimmer. It did rain off and on all week. On the
plus side, because of the rain, the usually standing fire ban was lifted.
Campers were able to arrive in camp early and fish all week, thanks to Mike
Shanks again reserving our campsite in The Pines and Founder Dane
Konop’s idea to hold the Gabby tournament the week after opening day.
Fireguy Darien Bohdal and son Caleb, Alex Bedont and Paul Geach, and
Mike Shanks arrived in The Pines on Monday afternoon to set up their
campsites and Colaianneville. It was cold and rainy, but fortunately the
camp firewood supplier, Ron Fisher, arrived Monday evening with his
single-axle dump truck full of wood. The delivery went quite smoothly after
he recovered from backing into a tree.
On Tuesday, the State Fisheries showed up in Gabby camp with around a
dozen bucket brigade men bearing over 200 trout as a gift for Kettle Creek.
Tuesday afternoon the winds were not friendly and caused a rip on
Colaianneville’s stream side, although Darien promptly reported that it was
fixable. We were also informed by the State during their visit in camp that
they had put an additional 200 trout in at the pipeline right of way, as well as
repeating this stocking two weeks prior. With the previous weekend’s
opening day being a total rain washout, it was obvious there was now an awful lot of trout in
the creek for us to catch. Wednesday was a beautiful sunny day in the upper 60’s with plenty of fish
biting in the creek. Around noon, Mike, Alex, and Paul headed south to the
Shanksylvania B&B near Snow Shoe to have a Gabby Eve pork loin dinner.
Mike’s son-on-law Jeff Marlow made it to Shanksylvania on Wednesday afternoon.
On Thursday morning, the five headed back up to Gabby camp to join
Darien and Caleb. Founder Dane arrived at Gabby camp fashionably late
Thursday evening, after he and son Dane Christian had settled into a cabin in Oleana.
On Friday, Webmaster Julius Czarnecki and son, Octavian, Joe Hrubos,
Chris Miller and Jimmy Pellegrini, Jeff and Eric Mueller, Ryan “Smoke
Break” Marlow, Brandon Muth and his rookie/cousin, Tray Gonzalez, Jeff’s
rookies Leo and his father Bill Mirzo arrived in camp. Although the on-and-
off rain continued Friday, the Gabby Guys were able to stay dry and warm
under Colaiaineville. Saturday started out with light rain, which let up by mid-day. With the sun
occasionally peaking out from behind the lingering clouds, the temperature
rose to a comfortable low 60s. Despite the rain, the stream was running
clear at a little above the mean of 690 of cubic feet per second.
At one point or another, everyone made it down to Kettle Creek with only
one report of a swimmer. Saturday evening, prior to the business meeting, “Venison Vic,” aka Chef
Shanks, passed around his marinaded deer medallions that he had seared
over the campfire coals. The scrumptious meat treat has become a staple of
Gabby camp meetings. Promptly at 9 p.m., the business meeting was called to order by acting
Master of Arms Alex Bedont, in the absence of newly appointed Master of
Arms and 2024 Gabby champion Drew Rose, who had been lured away
from the 2025 Gabby for a family vacation. Founder Dane officially
welcomed all to the 49 th annual Gabby camp, followed by Mike Shanks’
Invocation recognizing the 14 Gabby Guys who have passed away,
including three over the past year.
The camp head count went off almost without a hitch, if you ignored Jeff
Marlow’s intentional miscount, which we all did, for a 20 Gabby Guy count.
Gabby Guys in attendance included Founder Dane and son Dane Christian,
acting Master of Arms Alex Bedont and father-in-law Paul Geach, Fire Guy
Darien Bohdal and son Caleb, Webmaster Julius Czarnecki and son
Octavian,, Eric and his uncle Jeff Mueller, Mike Shanks, Joe Hrubos, Chris
Miller, Jimmy Pellegrini, Jeff Marlow and his rookies Leo and father Bill
Mirzo, Ryan “Smoke Break” Marlow, Brandon Muth and his rookie Tray
Gonzalez.
The “Old Business” segment of the meeting started off with Webmaster
Julius Czarnecki’s GabbyHayes.net update and a request for everyone to
share their emails, which will be added to the contact section of the web
page. The rollout of the newly created Gabby Facebook page managed by
Webmaster Julius and his technical foreman Jeff Marlow was presented and
received positive feedback. Next, the highly anticipated, newly refurbished
Selby Cup was displayed by Marlow Refurbishing, Inc. Adding a new level
for 24 additional name winner tags assures the end of the world will be
averted at least until 2050. Following the display of the Selby Cup, an
update of the Building and Zoning Committee was presented by Mike
Shanks filling in for absent Chair Zach Anderson.
Under new business, Mike reported he would reserve The Pines campsite for
April 13-19, 2026 (since confirmed). In his Facilities Report, Darien suggested the
Colaianneville tarp might have to be replaced.Under Housekeeping, Mike reported that the firewood cost and the
campsite reservation fee had depleted the Steve “Fireguy” Mueller Memorial
Firewood Fund by $100, requiring a $20 per camper assessment this year to
replenish the fund. Baseball hats with the slogan “The Gabby Modern Era 1976-2025” that
Mike brought to camp were eagerly acquired by Gabby Guys for a modest
$10 a piece.
In other new business, Founder Dane established a 50 th Anniversary
Tournament Commemorative Committee, which will include volunteers Bill
Mirzo, Julius, Mike Shanks and Jeff Marlowe.
This year’s fish count total for the tournament was 39, resulting in a
somewhat average Gabby Fish Quotient of 1.95 fish per fisherman.
Stream reports were shared around the campfire, with only Ryan reporting
that he unintentionally dove into the creek to look for trout. As in most
previous years, a Rookie of the Year nomination was tabled as quickly as it
was brought up with no nominations presented.
Next was the call for Gabby contenders. Several Gabby Guys jockeyed for
the coveted Gabby, although no one was able to compete with the beautiful
17 ½-inch Rainbow that Paul Geach laid down on the Gabstick. In the
absence of 2024 Gabby champion Drew Rose, 2023 Gabby winner Darien
Bohdal presented Paul with the Selby Cup and the 2025 Gabby trophy. In
his acceptance speech, an overjoyed Paul graciously accepted the prestigious
honor of catching the Gabby. Following the presentation of the trophies,
hearty congratulations, and the champion photo op, Founder Dane adjourned
the meeting.
The 50th Gabby Hayes Memorial Trout Fishing Tournament will be on
April 18, 2026.
