January 31, 2016 by Jarrad Fluekiger
LOCAL BROTHERS TAKE 2nd in FIRST ANNUAL
PRO ICE TOURNAMENT
ALMA, WI- TEAM USA Ice fishing team and Ice fishing pros from across the Midwest met up in Alma, WI this last weekend for its first annual Pro Ice fishing tournament called the North American Ice fishing Circuit (NAIFC). 38 teams from NE, WI, IA, MN, WI, IL, and MI drilled 1000’s of holes to find the biggest 16 fish combo of perch, crappie or sunfish. Team Adam Trites and Chris Ginnever from Michigan took home the top honors with a 16 fish limit of fish weighing 12.49 pounds anchored by a 1.75# crappie. Right behind 1st place winners were local brother team Paul and Rick Radatz from Nelson WI. with a bucket of 16 fish weighing 11.55 lbs. Trailing in 3rd place was TEAM USA, Chad Schaub and Anthony Rodriquez, both of Michigan, came with a heavy bucket of fish that was short of a pound from winning at 11.4 lbs. Team USA next stop is at the World Ice Fishing Championship in the Ukraine.
The weekend started out on Friday with Team USA leading the seminar demonstrations with ice fishing strategies, what tryouts are like for Team USA, and other tools/presentations used during tournaments in other countries. Followed by demonstrations of using your equipment under the right conditions with help from an Aqua-view. All people attending received 50% off any purchases made with Aqua View Cameras.
Saturday kicked out one of the most memorable experiences for Team USA and other ice fishing pros been part of. Over 40 kids and parents hit the Alma Rod and Gun club for KIDS ICE FISH CAMP. Each child and parent learned ice safety and ice fishing fundamentals, followed by one on one ice fishing, with TEAM USA, off of Breckow’s landing just north of Alma. Kids from all over got an education they will never forget and memories that will last a lifetime. Each kid was able to keep their fish they caught as well as the fishing rod. HT enterprises donated these rods to each individual. HT Enterprises is the world’s largest manufacturer of quality ice fishing tackle.
Following the KIDS ICE CAMP was the charity banquet put on by the RUTTING RIDGE FOUNDATION, INC. Rutting Ridge Foundation Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit company that was created to help physically challenged youth and veterans enjoy a hunting/fishing trip of a lifetime that they would not normally be able to experience. From hunting giant whitetails & turkeys in Buffalo County, Wisconsin, to fishing for 10-pound walleyes in the Mississippi River, it's an outdoor adventure they will never forget! Their memorable experience doesn't stop there. We also provide our wheelchair bound outdoorsmen & women the means to be able to continue enjoying the outdoors long after their trip with us are over. Through the generous donations received from our friends, supporters & sponsors we are able to provide them with their very own Action Chair. These tank type wheelchairs allow them to go off road/trail and into areas that standard wheelchairs can only hope to go. Mud & hills are nothing more than fun obstacles. The chairs become theirs to keep, so they can experience the outdoors on their terms and access all the areas they desire.
If you would like to be a sponsor of RUTTING RIDGE FOUNDATION, INC or would like to donate products feel free to contact us at: staff@ruttingridgefoundation.org
Special thanks goes out to all the sponsors that helped put this charity event together; Hillcrest Motel and Lodging, Rutting Ridge Outfitters in Buffalo County, WI; The Lost Shed Outfitters in Ohio, Tall Tine Outfitters in Illinois, Alma Hotel, Wild Wings of Lake City, MN; Big Eye Custom Lures, River Valley Outfitters in Wabasha, MN; Durand Smoke House in Durand, WI; Eau Galle Cheese, Bite-me- Tackle in Mondovi, WI; Oahe Wings and Walleyes South Dakota, River Guiding Services of Alma, TORO Company, Jason Sullivan’s TIP DOWN, Ryan Sports shop in Durand WI; Willie and Laura Jacobsen of Bear Scents, Alma Rod and Gun Club, John Hall’s Alaska Cruises, and many more…THANK YOU!
Posted in: FISHING
