By Steve Weisman
A total of 84 competitors took part in the fourth annual Pure Fishing Foundation Ice Fishing Tournament held on Saturday, February 14 on West Lake Okoboji’s Emerson and Little Emerson Bay.
Jade Furman outdistanced the field with a 10-bluegill limit weight of 5.085 pounds. For his efforts, Furman took home a $250 Fisherman’s Factory Outlet (FF0) gift certificate and a Clam 1-person portable fish shack.
Ben Zenor and Cody Bursin brought in identical weights to the scale and tied for second place with 3.945 pounds. Zenor won a $250 FFO gift certificate, while Bursin won a $125 FFO gift certificate, a $100 Scheels gift card and $25 in cash.
Places 4-9 earned a new Fenwick Aetos combo, while 10th place won a $50 Scheels gift card.
Results 4-10:
Tobin Janssen with 3.895 pounds, 4th place; Derek Heronimus with 3.530 pounds, 5th place; Gabe Tullis with 3.395 pounds, 6th place; Calvin Grosvenor with 3.330 pounds, 7th place; Paul Van Donge with 3.070 pounds, 8th place; Brent Van Engen with 2.590 pounds, 9th place; Ben Smith with 2.500 pounds, 10th place.
Gabe Tullis also won the Big Fish contest worth $115 in cash with a 4.35-pound largemouth bass, which he caught and released.
According to Nick Shaffer, one of the organizers of the event, the bite was a tough one. He noted, though, “We had a great turnout and pretty decent weather. Thanks to all who participated, and we hope to see you all next year!”
In addition to the fun and competition of the ice fishing tournament, net proceeds went to the Pure Fishing Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization with the mission of helping co-workers and their families with hardships that might occur requiring emergency financial assistance.
