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Last report from the ice!
By FishRecycler | March 4, 2008
Our final weekend “On Ice” was a great ending to an outstanding series. We had two events in two states to round out our tour, this entry will cover both the Ice Leaders “Cool Cats” event in Richmond, Minnesota and the True Ice Championship in Waubay, South Dakota.
Cool Cats
We began in Richmond, Minnesota on the Horseshoe Chain of lakes with the Ice Leaders for the “Cool Cats” event. This was the only event of the winter which was a “gathering” as opposed to a competitive event. In keeping with that, it had the feel of a sort of “family reunion” among friends from the Fishing Minnesota forum.
The event took place near the “Methane Hole,” named for a methane pocket which keeps open water throughout the winter as it bubbles to the surface. Except for this patch of open water, anglers found 30” of ice across the lake.
Lots of ice, and catfish, too! Whereas winter fishing usually centers around panfish – bluegill, crappies, and perch are the mainstays – walleye, northern pike, bass and other species normally provide the big-fish excitement. In this fishery, however, abundant active wintertime catfish not only create a viable fishery, selective harvest is within reason. A fish fry followed, and a dozen or so catfish joined the potluck in a hot oil bath. Others were released to swim another day.
Reports of one-time 100 – 150 fish days within a small group of anglers were the verified story in recent years, but over-harvest among anglers (some of them even threw fish onto the ice to die and left them) has led to bygone days. The fishery isn’t gone, but with some active stewardship among those who are passionate about the lake, a return to those incredible days could return within a matter of years.
We were happy to make many new friends in Richmond, and we are pleased to report that many put their name behind the “Sportsman’s Stewardship Pledge” when they visited our Hospitality Station for a the handwarming station and a free Grabber Handwarmer, Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate or Folger’s Coffee Single.
If you were at the event but didn’t take the Pledge, please do so here!
These photos tell the rest of the story better than words will, so have a look, and then see all 101 photos from the event in our “On Ice” Photo Center. You can download photos for free, or make a small donation and we’ll have our professional photo processor print the photo(s) and we’ll mail them to you.
…and hundreds more at the “On Ice” Photo Center….
True Ice
The True Ice Tournament Series says they’re “For the Hard Core Ice Fisherman,” and they proved it on this windy day on Waubay. The day opened with fog, which was soon paired with high winds which created a mystical white haze for these Championship competitors to blaze off into.
Recycled Fish had hand warmers, hot coffee and cocoa ready to go for the competitors as they prepared for their season-end championship tournament.
This panfish-geared series had top sticks looking for the 10 biggest panfish (weighed alive). On the ice, anglers met tough conditions, but some were able to search out and capitalize on jumbo perch.
The most rugged among the field braved the gale-force winds without deploying their shacks, drifts forming around them as they hunkered down over holes and flashers.
Visibility grew as the day wore on, but so did the wind.
The Coleman Event Tent held up against the powerful wind, and together with the Pro Cat heaters and hot drinks, made for a comfortable place for anglers to return for the weigh in.
Some impressive fish came in, and congratulations go to every angler who brought fish to weigh on this tough lake.
Top honors went to Drake Mohr, Travis Bell, and Adrian Laurendeau who took first through third places respectively, Mohr had “big fish” as well. They pocketed cash prizes, plaques, and prizes like Strikemaster gas auger, Fish Trap, and Lowrance GPS.
Nobody walked away empty-handed, as door prizes abounded, and gifts from Recycled Fish partners ensured that everyone got Grabber warmers, FoodSource Lures and Folger’s Coffee Singles.
The True Ice board of directors has assembled a great tournament series of strong competitors who are also a committed contingent of stewards.
Most put their name behind the Stewardship Pledge before heading home from a demanding weekend on hard water.
Highlight photos below, with hundreds more in our On Ice Photo Center, available for free download. Remember that when you order a photo, the prints come from a professional photo lab and proceeds help advance the Stewardship Ethic.
On behalf of all of our partners, it was a genuine pleasure to share the ice with so many great anglers. It would have been impossible without our impressive volunteers, men and women who truly went the extra mile to help advance stewardship.
We’ll look forward to a bigger and better “On Ice” series next year, but until then – highlights from our final rendezvous on ice for the ’07 / ’08 season!
For Berdette Zastrow’s story on the True Ice Tournament series from the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, click here.
For more on Ice Leaders, please visit their website here.
For more on the True Ice Tournament Series, please visit their website here.
Topics: On Ice Tour, Recycled Fish | Comments Off
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