Garrison -- People, local businesses and ducks all won at Saturday’s 7th Annual Ducks Unlimited Fishing Tournament on Garrison Bay.
Scott Ashby, St. Cloud, won a Chevrolet four-wheel drive truck with a 2.3 pound northern; Mark Fleick, Lonsdale, won the 18-foot wheeled fish house with his .29 pound perch. See the Make It Mille Lacs photo array!
A record-setting 3,054 anglers fished in moderate weather; Bette Hough and staff served 1,500 brats and hot dogs for the Svoboda Spotlight Café; and Garrison Commercial Club provided canned beer, doing a brisk business.
“It was a little raw out there with that slight breeze. If that sun would have come out we would have had it all,” said Tournament Director Greg Erickson, who said more than 204 Ducks Unlimited volunteers from around the state helped with the event. He said he was pleased that both duck hunters and fishing folks got exposed to each other’s sports, creating an area win-win situation for the future.
However, it is the local duck population which could benefit most. Proceeds from this event help provide local wild rice habitat for ducks. Erickson is waiting on the final financial status of the event, but guessed it would net $80,000 to $90,000.
For Monte and DeAnn Caddy of Ironton, the tournament was a milestone. It was the first time the couple has fished outside a fish house in 57 winters on Mille Lacs Lake. “It terrible cold right now, but it is a great tourney, “ Monte Caddy said, covered with a sleeping bag, but tending to his jiggle stick with fervor right up until the final flare gun blasted. The Caddy’s brought their daughter, Jill Hofstrand, and grandkids, Jayce, and Jordan to fish. The family was shutout and without a nibble but had fun.
For a rundown of the full leader board, go to the Garrison Ducks Unlimited website.
Article courtesy of Mike Wehking, MakeItMilleLacs.com
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