Anglers hit the ice at Rudd Lake for fishing tournament

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Richard Korleski didn’t have much luck fishing at Rudd Lake Saturday morning, but he didn’t seem to mind if the fish weren’t biting.

“I haven’t figured out that magic touch,” said Korleski.

Korleski, who lives in Ankeny, traveled  to Floyd County to take part in the inaugural Rudd Ice Fishing Frenzy.

He was one of 110 anglers, youths and adults, who drilled holes in the 12-inch-thick ice with an aim to haul in the “big one.”

“We’ve exceeded our goal,” said Adam Sears, director of Floyd County Conservation, which put on the ice fishing tournament. “I think it was a very successful event and we will plan to do this again.”

Troy Kuykendall from Charles City caught a 17½-inch catfish, which was big enough to win first place in the “other species” category in the adult division of the family-oriented fishing derby.

Kuykendall said he has been ice fishing for about three years. He brought his granddaughter out onto the lake Saturday, where she ice-fished for the first time.

“I just enjoy the winter fishing better,” said Kuykendall.

Greg Kellogg, also from Charles City, said he likes the surprise of never knowing what might be on the other end of his line.

“You just never know what you’re going to pull through the ice,” Kellogg said.

Kellogg brought his son out to take part in the contest. Kellogg said he drilled about 70 holes but had yet to come up with fish.

“It’s more about spending time with your kids,” he said.

Tory Foster, from Manly, took first place in the “biggest bluegill” contest, adult division, with an 8½-incher.

“I just love fishing. There’s nothing to do in the winter,” Foster said.

Foster said he tries different baits or lures to entice the fish, but allowed that “luck is one of them” when listing reasons for success.

Kuykendall said crappies hover near the surface of the water, whereas bass and bluegill will swim near the bottom. Knowing where those fish are sure helps the effort for a tasty meal once the fish are cleaned and slapped onto the grill.

“The biggest thing with ice fishing is finding the fish. If you have sonar it makes everything a lot easier,” said Gabe Leach, who lives in Rudd.

Leach said barometric pressure also is key factor in reeling in a prized catch. There is also another element called effort that plays a large part in getting as many fish as one can.

“Moving — all the time. That’s the secret to this,” Leach said.

Effort expends energy, which in turn can make one tired.

“That’s why I sit inside where it’s warm,” said Leach.

Leach said he caught a bass and his dad was able to strike gold with a couple of bluegills.

Leach was just happy that Rudd and the Floyd County Conservation started up the ice fishing tournament.

“This is great for the town, absolutely great,” said Leach. “They’ve had a wonderful turnout. It’s awesome to see a lot of kids out here.”

After arctic-like conditions all week in most of Iowa, the temperature on Saturday rose above freezing. That also helped out with the turnout, said Floyd County Naturalist Heidi Reams.

“We were really excited that the weather was going to warm up for us. I think that’s helped with our attendance because everyone’s been in the house all week,” she said.

“They have the huts set up to get in and out of the wind – that’s the key. From what they say, you can sit there all day,” said Reams with a smile.

Sears said prizes included coolers, fishing poles, tackle boxes and a two-man fishing tent, and he thanked the sponsor and volunteers that helped make the tournament possible.

“The base of this ice fishing event the first year was to get the youth involved and still provide a contest for the adults,” Sears said.

There was a soup lunch held at the Rudd Fire Department where the winners were announced.

Here are the results of the contest:

• 110 registered participants (youths and adults).

• 32 fish caught.

• Biggest bluegill (adults) – Tory Foster, 8½”, first; Scott Schmidt, 8½”, second; Tory Foster, 8½”, third; (ties in length were broken by order in which fish were measured.)

• Biggest bluegill (youths) – Bryce Larson, 8”, first; Drake Steere, 6¼”, second; Bailes Nosbich, 6¼”, third.

• Biggest other species fish (adults) – Troy Kuykendall, catfish, 17½”.

• Biggest other species fish (youths) – Bryce Larson, bass, 11½”.

• Numerous door prizes were drawn in which all participants were eligible.

• Free will donation soup lunch provided by Rudd Fire Department.