By Brenda Erdahl
Sports Editor
Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Irish Anglers who set out on Pleasant Lake in Annandale, Sunday, Aug. 13 for the final night of competitive fishing for the summer.
The team marked the occasion with a shared meal of grilled hamburgers, potato salad, chips, watermelon and cookies under the picnic shelter at the Clearwater/Pleasant Park before setting out.
There were two first place winners and two second place finishers. Sam Austin, Ethan Helmbrecht and Henry Halloran were members of a winning team. Austin netted a 21 ¼ inch northern and Halloran netted a 20 ½ inch northern, a 22 ½ inch northern and a 25-inch northern.
Landon Holland and Joey Novtony were also first. Holland reeled in a 12 ¼ inch bass, a 21 ½ inch northern and a 26 inch northern. Novotny netted a 25-inch northern.
Henry and Hayden Pagel and Michael Bellingar finished second with Hayden’s 17 ¾ inch bass and Bellingar’s 13 ¼ inch bass.
Hans Peterson caught a 13-inch bass and a 14 ½ inch bass to secure second for himself and partner Carter Courtright.
The Anglers will celebrate their season with an end-of-the-year banquet Wednesday, August 23.
The Irish Anglers program would not be possible without its generous sponsors including Rhino, Inc., Lake Central Insurance, A Plus Performance Apparel & Signs, Maple Lake Messenger, and Stellar Electric Inc.
Joey Novotny caught this northern pike on Pleasant Lake in Annandale on the final night of fishing for the Irish Anglers, Sunday, Aug. 13.
The rain Sunday night didn’t deter Henry Halloran’s enthusiasm, especially when he netted this pike on Pleasant.