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No one won $20,000 in Rifle this weekend, but the eighth annual Rifle Area Chamber of Commerce ice fishing tournament did net what might be a record turnout.
"We had to turn registrations away," said Patty Lambert, the chamber director, on Saturday morning. "We hit our limit - 400."
There were 400 adults registered for the tournament and at least 100 youths. There were several folks cheering their friends and relatives on as well.
The ice was thick enough to hold the large outpouring of anglers and onlookers - not less than 9.5 inches thick anywhere, according to Rifle State Parks director Aaron Ferro's report over the radio Saturday morning.
Fred Ladage caught the longest fish, a 20.75-inch rainbow trout. He had an opportunity to fish through 100 sealed envelopes for a $20,000 grand prize. Unfortunately, he didn't reel in the big money this weekend.
He did get a $100 Shop Rifle gift certificate and will receive a $500 first prize for catching the longest rainbow trout.
Lambert said the results are not final but are probably accurate.
She had not yet calculated the success of the event, which is one of the chamber's largest fundraisers, as of press time. She said there was an unusually large number of late registrations, which were charged an extra $5 per entry.
"I think a lot of people waited this year, because we canceled the tournament last year (because the ice was too thin)," Lambert said. "It was a great tournament this year, one that will probably set a record for us."
Contact Amanda Holt Miller: 625-3245, ext. 103
ahmiller@postindependent.com
"We had to turn registrations away," said Patty Lambert, the chamber director, on Saturday morning. "We hit our limit - 400."
There were 400 adults registered for the tournament and at least 100 youths. There were several folks cheering their friends and relatives on as well.
The ice was thick enough to hold the large outpouring of anglers and onlookers - not less than 9.5 inches thick anywhere, according to Rifle State Parks director Aaron Ferro's report over the radio Saturday morning.
Fred Ladage caught the longest fish, a 20.75-inch rainbow trout. He had an opportunity to fish through 100 sealed envelopes for a $20,000 grand prize. Unfortunately, he didn't reel in the big money this weekend.
He did get a $100 Shop Rifle gift certificate and will receive a $500 first prize for catching the longest rainbow trout.
Lambert said the results are not final but are probably accurate.
She had not yet calculated the success of the event, which is one of the chamber's largest fundraisers, as of press time. She said there was an unusually large number of late registrations, which were charged an extra $5 per entry.
"I think a lot of people waited this year, because we canceled the tournament last year (because the ice was too thin)," Lambert said. "It was a great tournament this year, one that will probably set a record for us."
Contact Amanda Holt Miller: 625-3245, ext. 103
ahmiller@postindependent.com
Ice fishing tourney winners
Adult first-place winners: $500 prizeWinner Species Length
Fred Ladage rainbow trout 20.75*
Bob Zelenka brown trout 20.5
P. Troy Michael yellow perch 13.5
Youth first-place winners,
ages 11-17: donated prizes
Winner Species Length
Kyle Rogers rainbow trout 16.5
Austin Carlson brown trout 14.88
Ben Collins yellow perch 13
Youth first-place winners,
ages 10 and under: donated prizes
Winner Species Length
Sierra Koch rainbow trout 16
Mya Ostrom brown trout 14.5
Aaron Gossert yellow perch 11.5
* length in inches
