Norwalk Angler Wins Fishy Photo Contest

If you see the 2014 Connecticut Angler's Guide, published by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the woman holding the huge fish may look familiar.

She's Andrea Repko of Norwalk. Here's the department's news release (issued Thursday) about the photo contest she won, the fish and the picture:

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has selected a photo of Andrea Repko of Norwalk for the cover of the 2014 Connecticut Angler’s Guide. 

In the photo, Repko is shown holding a Northern Pike, which she caught and released on September 22, 2013 in Kent, CT along the Housatonic River. The fish weighed 16 pounds and was 38 inches long.

DEEP Commissioner Rob Klee said, “Our Angler’s Guide photo contest allowed Connecticut’s anglers to show off their work and gave DEEP a chance to highlight the diversity of the high quality fishing spots throughout the state. 

Congratulations to the 80 anglers who sent us photos of the  wide variety of fish they caught -- Northern Pike, Striped Bass, Tautog, Trout and more.  The contest photos were a fine showing from anglers of all ages.”

“Fishing with my family since I was a child, has motivated me to carry out my passion into adulthood.  When you put time and dedication into anything, in my case, fishing, it’s bound to pay off,” said Repko, the 2014 Angler’s Guide Cover Photo Contest winner. 

“Luckily, anglers here don’t have to travel far to experience great fishing.  Connecticut offers some spectacular fishing with a wide variety of species year round.”

“I am honored that I was awarded the cover of the 2014 Angler’s Guide.  My photo truly represents the diversity of the hobby and the exceptional fish that can be caught right here, in our backyard,” added Repko.

DEEP’s annual Angler's Guide provides information on important rules and regulations governing sport fishing in Connecticut and assists in the enjoyment of the angling experience in Connecticut. 

This year, based on angler suggestions, the guide has been revised to include specific inland and marine sections, more information about fishing in general, and a two-page freshwater fish identification guide.

DEEP’s photo contest encouraged the anglers to submit fishing-related digital images to DEEP for consideration. 

The contest required the images to be outdoor Connecticut scenes that included one or more people fishing or displaying a catch from Connecticut’s waters. In addition to Repko’s photo, a selection of images from other finalists in the contest will be published inside the Guide.

The other finalists were:

• Michael Klehm of Darien

• Michaela Ruzbasan of Farmington

• Lauren Kusinski of Monroe

• Al & Kate Tremblay of Simsbury