News Photo by Darby Hinkley Dave Hillert Memorial Hubbard Lake Classic board members presented Friends Together with $2,000 raised in the fishing tournament held Feb. 19. Pictured, from left, are tournament board members Romeo Bourdage and Dave Zeller, Friends Together Representatives Michelle (Hillert, Dave’s daughter) Hoes and Shelly Gibbs, and tournament board member Ritch Zuber, owner of South Shore Party Store, who co-sponsored and took in registrations for the tournament.

ALPENA — In a tribute to a man who loved ice fishing on Hubbard Lake, the first-ever Dave Hillert Memorial Hubbard Lake Classic raised $2,000 for Friends Together.

Hillert passed away on May 11, 2021 after battling lung cancer. His family and friends helped organize the tournament, choosing to raise money for Friends Together, a nonprofit cancer support center in Alpena that offers resources, support groups, gas cards, transportation, and more for those who are dealing with cancer.

A total of 389 ice anglers came out on a very cold and windy day, Feb. 19, to enjoy fishing and honor Hillert’s memory in the process.

“It really was truly amazing,” said Romeo Bourdage, tournament board member.

“If we could get a year with nice weather, the amount that we could raise would be tremendous,” said Dave Zeller, tournament board member.

Both men were close friends of Hillert, who fished in all kinds of weather — the colder the better.

“Every weekend,” Bourdage said of Hillert.

“All year, he loved to fish for walleye,” said Hillert’s daughter, Michelle Hoes. “It was his thing. Hubbard Lake was his place. He would go out all summer, but it would be an 80-degree July summer day, and he would say, ‘I can’t wait to go ice fishing.’ He particularly loved to ice fish in Hubbard Lake … The day of the tournament it was very cold, very windy … My dad would have loved it.”

Organizers said the Hillert Memorial tournament will always be the weekend after the Super Bowl. This year, it coincided with the Reel Fun Fishing Tournament on Grand Lake, but the tournament dates for that event will be on the last weekend in February, going forward.

Bourdage and Zeller hope for better weather and a turnout of 500 next year.

Ritch Zuber, owner of South Shore Party Store, provided a place for ice anglers to register for the tournament.

“Hopefully, next year, there will be multiple places around the lake where people can register,” Zuber said.

Bourdage recalled bringing up the idea of the memorial tournament to Hillert’s wife.

“When I presented it to Deb, she was just elated,” Bourdage said.

Five years ago, the Thunder Bay Walleye Club had begun organizing an annual tournament, but since the club stepped back, Bourdage and some others saw it as an opportunity to continue a tournament, but in Hillert’s memory.

“Every time we talk about it, it’s just emotional,” Bourdage said. “It just isn’t fair.”

Zeller agreed, with tears in his eyes. He had been fishing with Hillert for 35 years, he said.

Hillert’s daughter recently started working as financial administrator at Friends Together. She was honored that so many people participated in the tournament and that $2,000 was raised in memory of her father.

“It’s awesome,” she said of the donations. “My dad used the support groups here. My dad came to the men’s group here. I know it took him a while to even step foot in the doors here, but once he did, he became friends with other people that were using our services.”

She said sometimes it can be hard to ask for help, but that surrounding yourself with others who are undergoing the same challenges can be very beneficial.

“People can come in any time and make a donation in memory of Dave,” said Zeller, referring to Friends Together.

“It’s about the cause,” Bourdage said.

“And the need right now is so great,” added Shelly Gibbs, transportation director at Friends Together.

Tournament results

The final results for the First Dave Hillert Memorial Hubbard Lake Classic are complete.

The following has been posted on the tournament Facebook page:

“The board of directors would like to thank all the participants and especially the sponsors that helped make this happen. The success is a testament to everyone that made it happen perfectly despite a very windy day.

“The volunteers that worked from dark to dark to ensure fish were measured, tickets for 50-50 were sold, and sales of cards for the booze sled, shirts and tumblers created by ChabotShack were sold, and registering participants right up until 11 a.m. The proceeds from the donations will go to Friends Together.”

Walleye Division

1. Romeo Bourdage: 23-1/2 inches — $4,540

2. Kay Banks: 23-1/4 inches — $1,500

3. Mike Morris: 22-5/8 inches — $1,000

4. Matt Poli: 22-1/8 inches — $500

5. Isaac Baumgart: 22 inches — $250 Frank’s Great Outdoors gift card

Perch Division

1. Kyle Dubie: 14-3/4 inches — $4,540

2. Jay Eddy: 14-1/2 inches — $1,250

3. Darren Brown: 14-1/2 inches –(they chose to split, earning $1,250 each)

4. Dave Guy: 14-1/4 inches — $500

5. Kevin Dorie: 12-5/8 inches — $250 Frank’s Great Outdoors gift card

First place winners were gifted a specialized tumbler from ChabotShack.

Each winner was given a gift certificate from Oak Hill Accents.

“Dave’s family would like to thank all of you for sharing in this special event and look forward to making it the highlight in keeping Dave’s memory alive,” the Facebook post stated. “Dave was a great human being and will never be forgotten as this tournament will continue forever in his memory.”