By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Southern MN residents attending Saturday’s annual New Richland Area Sportsmen's Club ice fishing contest could not have asked for better weather. 40 degrees and sunny.
Hundreds gathered, even more than last year, from all over southern MN Saturday morning from 10:30 a.m. until about 4 p.m. when events wrapped up.
More than 150 kids prizes were handed out according to Lee Mendenhall.
“Everyone got a prize,” Mendenahll smiled.
The afternoon’s big winner, the 50/50 prize of $1,650, went to Jack Mosley of Waseca.
Trey DeSchepper of New Richland won the $500 raffle.
Of the fisherman, the winners, all of whom have been ice fishing for more than a decade each, were all returning competitors.
Jack Ruehling of Waterville captured the winning prize of $75 with a 1 pound 1 oz bass. Ruehling said he didn’t think he was going to win, but joked he had a lucky beverage in one hand all afternoon.
Second place, and $50, went to Ryan Weber of Blooming Prairie with a 15 ounce bass. “No secrets, just luck,” Weber stated.
In third place was Cole Halsey of Faribault taking home $25 with his 13.5 ounce bass. “Stay hydrated,” Halsey joked. “That’s my secret.”
“It was a beautiful day and a nice turnout,” veteran announcer Karl Proehl stated. “We started a little slow, but finished strong.”
Proehl listed a lot of names expressing gratitude for the annual event he has announced every year for the past decade. Proehl took over for Bill Robinson when he passed away nearly 15 years ago.
This year’s sponsors and some “helpers” included: Dennis Bouldan, Karl and Tammy Proehl, Jerry By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
Southern MN residents attending Saturday’s annual New Richland Area Sportsmen's Club ice fishing contest could not have asked for better weather. 40 degrees and sunny.
Hundreds gathered, even more than last year, from all over southern MN Saturday morning from 10:30 a.m. until about 4 p.m. when events wrapped up.
More than 150 kids prizes were handed out according to Lee Mendenhall.
“Everyone got a prize,” Mendenahll smiled.
The afternoon’s big winner, the 50/50 prize of $1,650, went to Jack Mosley of Waseca.
Trey DeSchepper of New Richland won the $500 raffle.
Of the fisherman, the winners, all of whom have been ice fishing for more than a decade each, were all returning competitors.
Jack Ruehling of Waterville captured the winning prize of $75 with a 1 pound 1 oz bass. Ruehling said he didn’t think he was going to win, but joked he had a lucky beverage in one hand all afternoon.
Second place, and $50, went to Ryan Weber of Blooming Prairie with a 15 ounce bass. “No secrets, just luck,” Weber stated.
In third place was Cole Halsey of Faribault taking home $25 with his 13.5 ounce bass. “Stay hydrated,” Halsey joked. “That’s my secret.”
“It was a beautiful day and a nice turnout,” veteran announcer Karl Proehl stated. “We started a little slow, but finished strong.”
Proehl listed a lot of names expressing gratitude for the annual event he has announced every year for the past decade. Proehl took over for Bill Robinson when he passed away nearly 15 years ago.
This year’s sponsors and some “helpers” included: Dennis Bouldan, Karl and Tammy Proehl, Jerry Iberson, Rod Hullopeter, Lee Mendenhall, Lorna Jacobson and many more. Sponsors:
The Sportsman’s Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their donations to this year’s event: Southside Marine – Neal Schauer, Free Minnows, Josh Moen Snow Removal, Country Edge Seed – Josh and Alex Moen, Shawn and Rose Loken, State Bank of New Richland, Main Street Dental, Golf Carts and More – Carter Routh, Scott Routh Insurance, Thompson Auto Body, New Richland Dish Network, Budach Implement – Gary, Dan and Nick, Rick Schultz – Southern Seed, Midwest Repairables, New Richland Home Supply, The Willows, Arnold’s Case – Tim Engebretson, Northern Country Coop, Ron Thorson – Jerky, Kibble Equipment, The Bend in the Road, Jeff Monacy, Interstate Junction Motorcycles, Albert Lea Seed, Neighbor’s Meats, Thirsty Beaver, Channel Seed, Seykora Automotive Repair, Schott Budweiser, NR Sportsman Club, Johnson Doerhoefer and Miner PA, Wuerflein Honda, Hi Yield Products – Hartland, Hanson Tire Service – Albert Lea, Riverview Golf Course, CMD Transport – former Schmidt Trucking, Star Eagle, MinnWest Insurance – Formerly Roundbank, Grant Berg Lawn Care, Nancy Jane’s Bakery, Kim’s 1st Impressions, Brian Mendenhall – Southern MN Pressure Washing, Pioneer Lane Janike, Scott and Robin Routh Crop Insurance, Wagner Foods, Red Leaf Café, Bohlen’s Plumbing and Heating, NR Auto Repair, T's Sweet Treats and More, Lerberg’s, RJ’s – Ellendale, Sorenson Appliance and TV, and New Richland Liquor Company.