CAM students Owen & Brentyn Hoover and Atlantic’s Joaquin & Jake Walies have qualified to fish for a High School National Championship at the 14^th Annual at Bass Federation’s (TBF) Student Angler Federation (SAF) Championships in Lacrosse, Wisconsin June 20-24. In the Junior division Atlantic Trojans Grayson Molgaard and Owen Miller are moving on to compete at the TBF Junior World Championships to be held on Sonner Lake in Oklahoma July 26-29.

The high school student anglers earned their spot by competing in the third annual TBF/SAF Iowa State Championship held Saturday, May 20 for the first time ever on the Okoboji Chain of Lakes. High skies, sunshine and a light variable wind welcomed 43 two-person teams in the High School Division (grades 9-12) as they left the Emerson Bay Boat Ramp area at 6:30 a.m.

According to Bob Harris, SWIFT coach, the bite was tough in the morning after Friday’s cold front, but as the day progressed, the bite improved. “Many of the teams caught up to 25-30 bass throughout the tournament as they worked to upgrade the weight of their five best bass.”

Each team worked to figure out the best pattern for the area they were fishing for. 32 teams brought five-bass limits to the stage at the 2:30 p.m. afternoon weigh-in. A total of 190 bass were weighed in and safely released back into the lake.

Leading the way with a five-fish weight of 18.06 pounds was the team of Ways Raasch and Will Neville of team OABICG Falcons. They also brought in the tournament’s big fish with a 5.01 pounder.

Second place went to Noah Franken and Jay Van Zee of team Unity Christian with a five-fish limit of 17.06 pounds. Meanwhile, Emmett King and AJ Draper of Panorama High School Panthers took third place with a five-fish limit weight of 16.07 pounds. Fourth place with a five-fish weight of 15.15 pounds went to Henry Rosener and Clay Price of the Johnston Fishing Club Dragons. Harris says, “It was really a tight competition with the top five teams separated by a mere three pounds.”

Results for the Southwest Iowa Fishing Team High School Team

#5-Owen Hoover and Brentyn Hoover with a five-fish limit weight of 15.02 pounds.
#9 Tegan Steinkuehler and Brock Lemrick with a five-fish limit weight of 13.11 pounds.
#12 Joaquin and Jake Wailes with a five-fish limit weight of 13.06 pounds.
#18 Cameron Hoden and Wyatt Conrad with a five-fish limit weight of 10.14 pounds.
#20 Carey Mitchel and Tyson Partlow with a five-fish limit weight of 10.06 pounds.
#20 Cody Swank and Gavin Dougherty with a five-fish limit weight of 10.06 pounds.
#25 Grady Joens and Lucas Bose with a five-fish limit weight of 9.15 pounds
#29 Jarrett Hansen and Christian Thompson with a five-fish limit weight of 8.10 pounds.
#30 Hunter Quist and Braxton Hass with a five-fish limit weight of 8.10 pounds.
#35 Colton and Collin Rudy with a five-fish limit weight of 7.03 pounds.
#36 Jordon Robinson and Nathan Bentler with a five-fish limit weight of 6.15 pounds.
#37 Eli Becerra and Mason Mcintosh with a four-fish limit weight of 6.14 pounds.
#39 Hannah Thomas and Kai Carritt with a five-fish limit weight of 4.10 pounds.
#40 Caden Forristall and Taven Moore with a two-fish limit weight of 4.09 pounds.
#42 Isaac and Kyler Chapman.

Along with the SAF Iowa High School State Championship, the Junior Division State Championship (grades 3-8) was also on the line with a total of 12 two-person teams competing. Once again, it became a shoot-out and close weights with nine of the teams bringing 5-fish limits to the scales. The team of Ethan Timmerman and Ty Timmerman of the Cedar Falls Tigers ran away with the title with a five-fish limit weight of 16.02 pounds. Second place with a 5-fish weight of 12.13 pounds went to the team of Ryder Lane and Wyatt Reed from the Southwest Iowa Fishing Team. Meanwhile, the team of Jared Kettman and Jonah Leonard of the Cedar Falls Tigers with a five-fish weight of 11.13 pounds. They also brought the big fish of the day to the scales, a 4.10 pounder.

Results for the Southwest Iowa Fishing Team High School Team

#6-Grayson Molgaard and Owen Miller with a five-fish limit weight of 10.12 pounds.
#7 Letty McSorely and Brendan Wilke with a five-fish limit weight of 10.10 pounds.
#8 Colton Anderson and Hoden DeVore with a five-fish limit weight of 9.15 pounds.
#11 Quinlan McKee and Charlee Marquis with a one-fish limit weight of 3.06 pounds.
#13Colton Frieze and Caden Frieze

Harris adds, “I was extremely proud of our SWIFT. They worked together to figure out what they needed to do to catch these fish. Congratulations to all these teams.”

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Jim Field visits with Tivolifest Committee Chairman Stan Jens about the annual celebration in Elk Horn this weekend.  Click this link for the complete Tivolifest schedule >>>> Tivoli2023C

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(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is holding a “Stand Up Paddleboard” demonstration on Saturday May 27thfrom 1-until 4-p.m.  The event takes place at the Cold Springs Park- Beach, near Lewis, and there is no charge. The only requirements are that participants weigh LESS than 250-pounds, children must be 16-years of age or older, and participants should bring a life jacket. If you cannot bring a life jacket, one will be provided for you.

Conservation officials say stand Up Paddleboarding is the fastest growing sport in the paddling community, not only across the country, but especially here in land-locked areas like Iowa. It’s fun, healthy as a total body work-out and offers a unique perspective when it comes to being on the water.

Paddle Boarding

After a quick demonstration try out the boards for yourself!  Additional details such as time slots and future dates for the demonstrations are as follows:

Saturday May 27th

1PM- 5 spots

2:30PM- 5 spots

June 24th

1:00pm- 5 Spots

2:30pm- 5 Spots

Cold Springs Park- Beach

You MUST CALL to get your spot! 712-769-2372

The program will be cancelled if there are unsafe weather conditions on the Lake.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer is reporting a very good second quarter. Deere and Company is declaring net income for the quarter at more than two-point-eight billion dollars, up from just over two-billion-even a year ago. The Quad Cities-based farm and construction equipment maker is also reporting worldwide net sales and revenues rose by 30-percent for the quarter, and 31-percent in the past six months.

Chairman and C-E-O John May says in a news release that Deere is continuing to benefit from “favorable market conditions and an improving operating environment,” adding, the company’s on the way “to another year of exceptional achievement.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Nishna Valley Trails organization and Cass County Conservation Department, invite you to celebrate “National Trails Day,” on June 3, 2023, with” Truckin’ on the Trails” at the Schildberg Recreation Area West Rotary Shelter (102 Buck Creek Rd., in Atlantic. The event takes place from 11-a.m. until 2-p.m.

Whether cycling or walking, pushing strollers, or riding trikes, all people are welcome. The event is a chance to experience and appreciate Cass County’s trails and will offer live music and food trucks Master Griller Catering, Atlantic Kiwanis, and Louie’s Shaved Ice. Nishna Valley Trails and Cass County Conservation will be sharing information, and Bike Farm will also be at the event offering minor bike maintenance and door prizes.

Event schedule:
● 10:30 AM “Nishna Valley Trails Gravel Sampler” Join Jon Jordan for a bike ride on both trails and gravel. Jon will give a primer on gravel skills vs. road skills before the ride. Any “non-skinny” tire bikes will work for this ride. Participants will ride from Schildberg Rotary Shelter (West parking lot) to South T-Bone Trailhead (63395 Dunbar Rd. Atlantic) and back (approximately 10 miles). (Please note this ride begins prior to the official start time of the event)
● 11-2 Live music, food trucks, organizations sharing information
● 1 PM 1.5-mile kids loop starting from Rotary Shelter

Truckin’ on the Trails is just one of many events taking place across the nation on National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June. National Trails Day is an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society that encourages support of the nation’s public trails. Trails have positive impacts on mental and physical health, and National Trails Day is a day of public events that invites thousands of trail users of all shapes and sizes to participate.

Truckin’ on the Trails is being hosted by Nishna Valley Trails, Cass County Conservation, Bike Farm, and Cass County Tourism. A Cass County trails map can be found online at: https://www.atlanticiowa.com/experience/cass-county-trails-map-2/. Hard copies of the map will be available at the event and are always available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Field visits with Atlantic Lions Club members Leon Hodges and Jim Nordskog about the Belgian Waffle Dinner on May 25.

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• KJAN, Atlantic  .15″
• Exira  .35″
• Anita  .27″
• Elk Horn  .01″
• Audubon  .19″

(Radio Iowa) – This is prime time for Iowa bird watchers as spring migration season is bringing all sorts of unusual feathered travelers to our backyards, well beyond the everyday robins, sparrows and blue jays. Avian ecologist Steve Kolbe is working to raise awareness about migratory birds as they help provide pest control, pollination and serve as a food source for other wildlife. Kolbe says migrating birds face multiple perils on their journey each year, putting the ecosystem in danger. “They encounter a habitat that has been degraded or destroyed during migratory stopover,” Kolbe says. “It’s sort of akin to if you are used to making a trip and you’re always stopping at a gas station then all of a sudden that gas station is closed-that maybe you planned on filling up and then you have some issues finding gas before you run out.”

Kolbe says Iowans who own a certain type of pet can play a key role in helping these birds on their annual flights. “One of the things that bird researchers really stress is keeping your cats inside,” he says. “Cats are a main source of mortality for birds and especially migrant birds. It’s also safer for cats to be inside, too.”

Kolbe also suggests helping migrating birds by putting out resources like food and water, and reporting birds that you see and their condition. He says websites like “eBird-dot-org” can help document changes in patterns and behaviors throughout time. Iowans can see nearly 400 types of birds throughout the year.

• 4 cups cubed cooked turkey breast
• 1 can (8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 2/3 cup chopped pecans
• 2 celery ribs, sliced
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper blend
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 lettuce leaves
• 8 croissants, split

In a large bowl, combine the turkey, water chestnuts, pecans, celery and onions.  Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic pepper and salt; pour over turkey mixture and toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate until serving.  Spoon onto lettuce-lined croissants.

YIELD:  8 servings

Jim Field visits with Cass County Extension Director Kate Olson about the Master Conservationist Program offered by Cass and Adair County Extension.

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