For the first time in the Lake Lenore Lions Ice Fishing Derby’s 10 year history, there was a tie for first place.
Glen Leniuk of Bruno and Dayton Klashinsky of Humboldt each caught a 6.02-pound jackfish.
The tournament organizers decided to add the $10,000 first place payout and the $4,118.28 second place payout and divide it into two equal halves, resulting in each fisher winning $7,059.14
Leniuk caught his winning fish early in the day with something special.
“A homemade hook,” he said. “I made it myself two days ago.”
Klashinsky also caught his fish early on.
“I hope it holds up,” he said when recalling what he was thinking when he caught it. “There was a lot of time left in the day, so I was hoping that fish would hold up.”
There were 657 registered at the Jan. 19 tournament, with 60 fish caught. Some other big fish caught included Bailey Schmidt’s 5.77-pound jackfish, Robin Robinson’s 5.61-pound jackfish, Craig Kinder’s 3.44-pound walleye, Conrad Worth’s 2.65-pound walleye, Garth Smith’s 2.62-pound walleye and Rick Fries’ 1.19-pound perch.
There were more than $18,000 in cash prizes and around $15,000 in items from a random draw that included all the fishers except for cash prize winners.
Both fishers have been at the derby before.
“I try to come every year. It’s one of those things I look forward to every year. It’s a good time for sure,” Klashinsky said. “Come on out. It’s a good tournament.”
Leniuk said it’s important to keep supporting the Lake Lenore Lions Club.
