By Steve Weisman

With temperatures in the 20s and a bearable wind out of the west, the initial Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club’s inaugural adult/youth partner fishing tournament this past Saturday was a definite success. It was held on East Okoboji out from the Ritz.

“We had 16 teams,” said Terry Thomsen, club president, “with several grandparents and mothers among the adults partnering with a youngster. As a club, we couldn’t have been happier with the turnout and the event. We look for it to grow each year.”

It was a measure-only tournament with each team given an orange flag on a wire. When a fish was caught, the flag was raised. Then, a member of the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club (wearing yellow reflector vests) went over with a measuring tube to measure the length of the fish. That was then recorded on paper and initialed by the official. At the end of the contest, total lengths were tabulated in each category and the results then used to determine placings. All teams chose to release their fish after measuring.

The tournament lasted from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In the panfish division, where teams could measure their best five fish, the teams of Rick Peterson and grandson Cannon and Justin and Lane Helgeson both measured 44 inches of length for their five panfish to tie for first place.

Third place went to Candace and Harrison Daniels with 41 inches measured, while the team of Kyle and Grant Thomsen ended up in fourth place with just over 40 inches. Kari and Evelyn Hawes won the northern pike division.

Lots of fish were marked on the teams’ electronics, but it was tough to get the bigger fish to bite. Still, according to Paul Daniels, IGLFC board member and chief organizer of the tournament, “Everybody had fun, a lot of fish were caught with some solid lengths recorded, and there were lots of smiles! We added 10 new club memberships, and the teams all talked about coming back for next year’s tournament.”

Following the tournament, the teams and IGLFC volunteers went to the Ritz for results and prizes, along with delicious pizza served up by the Ritz. Daniels added, “Thanks to Taylor Genrich from The Ritz for hosting our awards ceremony! Also, thanks to Kabele’s Trading Post & Lodge for supplying some extra bait.”

In reflecting on the success of the day, Thomsen said, “It is so much fun seeing youngsters having fun and enjoying this entire day. In addition to the prizes received by the winners, every kid received a bag of fishing equipment provided by the club.”

Photos by Paul Daniels