Fishing team has productive first outing

By Brenda Erdahl

Maple Lake’s Youth Fishing Team the Irish Anglers kicked off the season on Sunday June 2 and Wednesday, June 5 on Maple Lake.

Sunday night’s first place winner went to Drew Wurm with his two bass -13 ¾ inches and 14 ½ inches.

Second place went to the team of Liam See with his 13 ¾ inch bass and Brody Sigler with his 12 ¼ inch bass.

Tying for third on Sunday was the team of Kaeden Klatt and Talin Stuhaug and the team of Jackson Krauze, Whitler and Adler Chlan. Klatt caught a 13-inch bass and Krauze reeled in a 21 ½-inch northern.

Volunteer boat captains were Tom Neu, Karl Parchem, Tim Jansen and Bob Porter.

A storm rolled through right before the Wednesday night anglers set out and it soon became apparent the fish were hungry.

Winning the evening’s contest was the team of Ethan Erdahl, Dalten Kuperus and Ella Peterson. Erdahl’s catch included a 16 ½ inch bass, a 15 ½ inch bass, a 12-inch bass and a 22-inch northern. Kuperus caught the night’s largest bass at 17 ½ inches. He also caught a 13-inch bass. Peterson reeled in a 17-inch bass as well.

Tying for second was the team of Adam Smail and Aiden Parchem and the team of Henry and Hayden Pagel and Drake Strzyzewski. Smail captured two bass – 17 inches and 12 ¼ inches and Parchem netted three bass – 15 1/3 inches, 13 ½ inches and 14 inches. Henry reeled in a 12 ½ inch bass and a 14-inch bass; Hayden captured a 12 ½ inch bass, a 14 ½ inch bass and a 16-inch bass and Strzyzewski netted a 12 ¾ inch bass.

Tying for third place was the team of Jeremiah Schafer and Brolin Chlan and the team of Carter Colbenson and Tucker Sigler. Schafer caught a 12 ¼ inch and a 17-inch bass; Chlan captured a 13-inch bass; Colbenson netted a 15 ¾ inch and a 13-inch bass and Sigler reeled in a 16 ½ inch bass.

Volunteer boat captains were Tom Neu, Brandon Deyo, Rhonda Pagel, Karl Parchem and Steve Peterson.

This week the Irish Anglers fish on Sunday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 12 on Lake John.

The fishing program would not be possible without its sponsors, including the Maple Lake Lions, the Maple Lake VFW Post 7664 and the Maple Lake American Legion.