First Fishing with the Riders sees perfect weather

The inaugural “Fishing with the Riders” youth fishing event held by the American Legion Riders of Waseca took place on Clear Lake during the afternoon of Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14. The weather reached temperatures of 50 degrees, but the ice was safe enough for the day, which encouraged around 45 children with their families to come out to the lake together from noon until 4 p.m. The young angler who caught the biggest fish was Hunter Hayes with a bullhead; he received a $25 dollar gift card from Dale’s Marine out of Madison Lake.

 

Anglers arriving at the north end of Clear Lake on Saturday morning were greeted by plenty of sunshine and a light south wind. Nearly everyone walking out to the fishing contest on foot was  greeted by Alex Ross on a side by side 4-wheeler: “I’m giving rides today to get people out to the holes as fast as possible, it cuts down on slipping and falling and it gives me something to do. Sanco Equipment out of Albert Lea loaned us the side by side, it’s just for the day, we don’t get to keep it, but it is sure helping to speed things up out here with all the coming and going.”

 

Ryan Berg was out at the fishing spot, watching to make sure any kids who needed minnows as bait got them. For any who weren’t certain about baiting their hooks, Berg also helped with that. “I’m the director for the Legion Riders, we’re a new club and we would like to make this a yearly thing, so any way we can get the word out we’re going to. We’ve got lots of donated prizes, free hot dogs and condiments, hot chocolate, chips and assorted cookies.”

 

He went on to say money for the food was provided by the Minnesota Dark House and Angling Association, a statewide nonprofit organization aimed at protecting fishing heritage. After he was done speaking, Berg pulled out an ice cream bucket filled with red raffle tickets, fished around for one and called its number. Only seconds passed before Serena Luckylewis arrived with her ticket and was handed a brand-new wearable head lamp.

 

Phil Bufor was standing next to Berg, another organizer of the day’s event, “We’re excited to be new to the community, our club I mean. We are looking to create awareness for the Legion; people tend to forget it’s there and take it for granted. Awareness for veterans, same as the Legion, people tend to forget. Awareness about fishing like this and seeing how it’s done is also a great message for kids, and to get them interested.” He was asked about the day’s warm temperatures and the threat of thin ice and he replied, “We are all about safety, we had a guy out here yesterday checking ice thickness. Greener World Solutions was also out here just this morning when they drilled the holes, another great donation, we all checked and the ice is still a good and solid 6 to 8 inches thick. Too many warm days like this and we might’ve had to cancel, but for today we’re good.”

 

The American Legion Riders of America acknowledged the support of many area businesses through donations and volunteer work. Business named included NAPA Auto Parts of Waseca, Auto Value of Waseca, Ace Hardware of Waseca, Minnesota Darkhouse And Angling Association, Southside Marine and More of Waseca, Bomgaars of Waseca, Greener World Solutions, LLC, USA Branding Group of Madison Lake, Dales Marine of Madison Lake, Toby’s Barbershop of Janesville, Sanco Equipment of Albert Lea. Watch for this contest next year. This contest was put on in the loving memory of Brady Anderson.