Month: January 2017

Tullibee Really was the Catch of the Day

Brainerd, MN – Preliminary estimates indicate that over 11,000 people were in attendance at the world’s largest charitable ice fishing tournament Saturday for the 27th annual Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza. As always, contestants came from as far away as Western Europe, and also from across the country, including Hawaii, New York, California, and Texas to name a few.

Tullibee was the name of the game on the leaderboard throughout the day at Hole-in-the-Day Bay on Brainerd’s Gull Lake, taking 137 of the 150 spots on the leaderboard.

At 12:03 p.m. the first angler entered the weigh in tent amongst a crowd of excited onlookers. There were 826 fish weighed in this year. Les Laidlaw from Mankato, MN landed the winning fish, a 5.54 lb. Northern Pike in feet of water using a jammin’ jig. When asked if he would choose the GMC or Ford, Les said, “I’m a Ford guy,” so he will be taking home a new Ford truck after today, courtesy of Mills Automotive Group.

There are two notable characteristics about this event – it is entirely volunteer organized and run, and 100% of the proceeds are donated to charities. The Brainerd Jaycees invest nearly 25,000 volunteer hours in the year-long planning of the contest. Amongst the 350 volunteers was this year’s chairperson, Brandon Freihammer. He said “The enormous impact of this event on our community and the charitable organizations we donate back to is the reason we are all here. The commitment and dedication of the volunteers is impressive, and I am humbled to be at the helm of such a large event.” The largest beneficiary is Confidence Learning Center, and outdoor education facility for individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities. The Brainerd Jaycees have donated nearly $3.5 million to over 50 charities since the first Extravaganza in 1991.

The 2018 Event is scheduled for Saturday, January 27.

 

Permit Issued for Brainerd Jaycees Jan. 28 Ice Fishing Tournament

Brainerd, MN—The Brainerd Jaycees and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Department checked ice conditions on Gull Lake’s Hole in the Day Bay on Friday, Jan. 20, and found 20” of ice throughout the contest site. The event permit was officially issued. “We are excited the ice conditions are in our favor this year. Next weekend will bring a great impact to our community, and we are ready for it,” said contest chair Brandon Freihmmer. Contest organizers look forward to seeing participants at the 27th Annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza next Saturday, January 28. The Brainerd Jaycees would like to thank participants, contestants, sponsors and area businesses for their ongoing support. Tickets can be purchased at Brainerd-area outlets and on the ice the day of the contest. For more information go to the event website at icefishing.org.