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Take single digit temps, add 25MPH winds, toss in 12,000 morons from around the world and $150,000 in prizes – you’ve just made the world’s biggest ice fishing event ever. For the 14th time, raising money for charitable contributions, the Brainerd Jaycees hosted an ice fishing extravaganza on Hole in the Day Bay of Gull Lake. Nationwide media outlets were on hand for the event, as well as a carnival-full of vendors selling wears from silver fox hats to buffalo burgers to cheese on a stick. In all, over 12,000 people stood on the frozen flats, backs to the wind, hovering over pre-drilled holes in the ice. All waited, and waited, and wished for the same thing – the big fish.
On the line was a chance to win a 2004 Ford F150, or one of many other prizes including four-wheelers and stacks of cash. From 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 12,000 jigs popped in the water. Minnows and wax worms were drowned in hopes of snagging one of the many donated gifts. Only about 800 would come up with a fish on this day, and only 150 would finish in the money.
About midway through the contest, Dean Olson of Crosslake, Minnesota made way to the weigh-in tent. After a long wait while judges fuddled through ounces of perch, Olson threw down his 4.46-pound walleye. Others made it to weigh-in, but nothing toppled this mediocre fare. Dean Olson drove home in a new Ford F150. Team Fishwrench, on hand for the tournament, drove home with nothing.
Although $150,000 in prizes and money is up for grabs during the tournament, the Brainerd Jaycees still raise well over $200,000 for donations to charity. Last year, Confidence Learning Center was the primary beneficiary of the Jaycees goodwill, landing $145,000 alone. In the end, it is not the fun and chance at elaborate rewards, but a worthy cause that adds to the success of this tournament.
It may be cold, there may be too many people, but the Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is by far the most well organized and most exciting tournament Team Fishwrench has taken part in. Sure, three years running Team FW has left finishing out of the money. For this first time, Fishwrench was skunked out of a fish, but a big fish lingers. In 2005, that big fish - and the new truck it’s tied to - belong to Team Fishwrench. Start engraving that trophy now, Brainerd Jaycees; Fishwrench is sharpening its hooks.