By Steve Weisman
How does this sound for an invitation…Free Fishing Tournament Open to Everybody! Plus, it will be on a body of water that’s full of fish and very few people ever get to fish! Now, that’s quite a deal, I’d say! Here are some details…
What: Catch & Release Fishing Tournament
Location: Camp Autumn (4233 Yew Avenue Sutherland, IA 51058)
Date: Saturday, February 15
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free for all ages
Awards: Top three places based on length of fish in the categories of bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill/other pan fish.
Details for the day
Is this exciting or what? First off, this is a 30-acre private lake, so no fishing license is needed. According to Adam Lybarger, director of Camp Autumn, “This will be the first time that we have opened up our private 30-acre lake for the general public to fish on. There is no entry fee for the tournament, but free will donations are encouraged. All money raised during the tournament will go to our scholarship program to help bring kids to camp in the summer.”
Partnering with Camp Autumn will be the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club (IGLFC). Members of the club will run the tournament, provide some gear (poles, ice shacks, heaters and electronics). In addition, the IGLFC will host a Kids Ice Fishing Clinic from 11 a.m. to noon. Lybarger notes, “We are especially grateful to the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club for partnering with us on this event and to run the fishing tournament, provide the some gear (poles, ice shacks, heaters, and electronics on a first come first serve basis), and offering a kids ice fishing clinic from 11am – 12pm that day. We really believe that this tournament offers something for everyone, whether they are first time ice fishers or professional anglers. “
Terry Thomsen, IGLFC president, says, “The club is really excited to partner with Adam and Camp Autumn. Camp Autumn reaches out to so many youth who have behavioral and mental needs. Although there is no entry fee, we hope that those who participate will show their generosity and donate to Camp Autumn.”
Lybarger adds, “All of the proceeds will go to the scholarship program that helps bring kids to the camp in the summer.”
Sponsors
A host of sponsors are working to make this a great day all the way around. Lybarger says, “Oak Hill Outdoor is providing all of the bait for the day and donating some of the tournament prizes; Stan’s Bait and Tackle has donated some really nice combo rods and reels for prizes; Fisherman’s Factory Outlet has also provided tournament prizes for the event.“
In addition, Lybarger notes, “Grace United Methodist Church of Spencer is providing soup and chili for lunch and Black Earth Java will also be here providing coffee and hot coco to help keep everyone warm”
Pre-register
Pre-registering will help organizers know how many people will be fishing and the amount of food needed, etc. Lybarger says, “People are welcome to just show up the day of the event, but we are requesting and would appreciate participants pre-registering ahead of time by googling Camp Autumn’s Ice Fishing Tournament Facebook page or Eventbrite.”
Why the name Autumn?
Autumn’s Center and Camp Autumn are named in honor and memory of three-year-old Autumn Elgersma of Orange City, who died on October 31, 2013, two days after being hospitalized for injuries she received from her daycare provider. Since her passing, Autumn’s light has continued to shine through her story and the impact it has made on northwest Iowa. Autumn’s mother, Jennifer, along with her husband Phil, and children Faith and Jared, are dedicated to creating awareness on child abuse and serving as an ambassador to help protect our community’s children.
About Camp Autumn
The camp itself is located on a beautiful property near Sutherland, Iowa with 73 acres of land and water. This gives a lot of space to hike and explore and even a lake for campers to enjoy recreational activities during a warm day at camp.
Lybarger says, “Camp Autumn is a therapeutic day camp owned and operated by Seasons Center for Behavioral Health. When youngsters come to work with us at one of our 12 offices across northwest Iowa, they receive evidence-based therapy and treatment. Here at Camp Autumn we serve youth ages 4-21 with behavioral and mental health needs. Last year was our third summer of operation, and we served 182 individual kids from 13 different counties for a total of 315 camper weeks. We run for 9 weeks each summer between June, July, and August.”
Camp activities and camper responses
Although the camp is fun for participants, it’s also educational. Group therapy and behavioral health intervention services. Activities include yoga and breathing exercises, arts and crafts, kayaking, paddle boating, fishing, swimming, experiencing nature, sporting activities and games. In exit surveys, 87.5 percent of campers were able to identify and demonstrate one new or improved coping skill, 84.3 percent of campers experienced a new physical activity and 96.8 percent of campers had a positive experience in the natural environment of the setting.
Let’s have fun
Can it get any better than this? Free fishing, private lake, prizes, fishing clinic for youngsters and great food and drink! Great fishing + great partners + great cause = Success!
(photos submitted) IGLFC members checked out the fishing at Camp Autumn on Sunday. In addition to being a beautiful winter day, nice crappies and bluegills were caught and, of course, released!
