LABA’s fishing derby reels in hundreds

All smiles Josh Klosowski of Little Falls was all smiles as a derby official weighed his 1.65 pound northern he caught a few minutes before the finish of the derby Saturday on Fishtrap Lake. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford) Over 1,000 people attended the 19th Annual Fishing Derby and Raffle, held on Fish Trap Lake Jan. 30.

Sponsored by the Lincoln Area Business Association (LABA), the event brought in visitors from all over the area, including Nisswa, Brainerd and Elk River.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of so many volunteers from the community, as well as members of the Lincoln Area Business Association,” said Tina Snell, LABA secretary.

The Staples Motley wrestling team and the Little Falls hockey team were both there at the crack of dawn to help drill holes, reported Snell. “They were awesome,” she added.

Other volunteers manned the ticket booth, or helped with security; and food booths were run by both Scandia Valley First Responders and the SM wrestlers. “Everybody was busy,” Snell said.

Raffle and fishing prizes, worth thousands of dollars, were given away throughout the day.

Biggest fish winners Andy Hoffman, left, from LaFayette, finished in third place, John Crowley from Stillwater was second and Ashley Lisson, (at right) a Staples Motley High School senior, won first place in the Fishtrap Lake Fishing Derby held Saturday. Hosted by the Lincoln Area Business Association, the contest drew an estimated 1,100 people. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford) In the raffle, Kyvan Quarry took home the grand prize - an Ice Castle fish house worth $5,000 and Matthew Brossad won $1,000 cash; both of which were donated by the LABA. Other prizes, donated by area businesses, were also given away to those lucky enough to have their names drawn.

Folks of all ages participated in the ‘Biggest Fish’ contest, with cash prizes (donated by the LABA) as incentive.

Ashley Lisson, a student at Staples Motley High School, took home $2,000 after placing first in the biggest fish contest.

Second place ($1,000) went to John Crowley; and third ($700) to Andrew Hoffman. Other cash winners included Blake Yungbauer, Jeremy Georges, Josh Klosowski, Wade Cummings, Al Griffith and Dan Miller.

A contest for young people under the age of 15 was also held throughout the fishing derby; with cash prizes donated by Lincoln Gas & Bait in Cushing. Winners included Mason Landowski, 1st; Cala Erbie, 2nd; Cory Hanson, 3rd; Alex Muma and Conner Casper, 4th place tie; Chandler

Derby crew A few of the many Lincoln Area Business Association members who helped stage this year Doucette, 5th. John Mullen, a 92-yearold

man who lives on Fish Trap Lake, took home a $40 prize for being the oldest person fishing at the derby. Nevaeh Straumann, oneyear old from Franklin, took home the other $40 prize for being the youngest. Both prizes were donated by John and Tina Snell.

Herb Bloomquist, LABA’s treasurer, said this event gives Minnesotans a chance to see what’s in their own back yard. “We don’t make any profit from the fishing derby...we just hope to break even. Any extra profit we make goes right back into the community.”

The purpose of the event, Bloomquist continued, is to promote the area in general; and to promote local commerce.

Young fisher people Deb Hartung from the Lincoln Gas and Bait store at Lincoln sponsored cash prizes for those under age 15 at the Fishtrap Lake Derby. Those with the biggest fish included Mason Landowski first place; Cala Erbe, second place (second from right), Cory Hanson third, Alex Muma and Conner Casper, fourth place tie; and Chandler Doucette, fifth place. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford) “Especially with today’s economy, it’s nice to know that you don’t have to travel very far to have a great vacation,” Bloomquist said.

In addition to the fishing derby on Fish Trap Lake, people can check out other area happenings on the LABA’s website, www. lincolnlakes.com. “Explore Minnesota also has a good website; and they’re promoting this area as well,” Bloomquist added.