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Fishermen from Hawaii, children winners at Lake Hendricks tourney

Photos by Jody Issackson Derek Holmgren, 14, of Marshall, patiently waits for a fish to take the bait during the 39th Annual Lake Hendricks Fishing Derby. Holmgren and his father, Joel Holmgren, were among those hopefuls that remained fishless for this contest.

HENDRICKS — Amongst the nearly 400 ice fishers on Lake Hendricks Saturday were three men from Hawaii, one of whom won a prize in the 39th Annual Lake Hendricks Fishing Derby.

Rhys Ishihara, and friends Logan Gonzaga and Matthew Noguchi, braved the blustery day and was repaid with Ishihara winning a new ice fishing pole and tackle in the derby.

He said he would have to come back next year to use it.

The three young men were guests of Hunter Kontz of Marshall and had been college friends of his. Bundled up against the near-zero temperatures and gusting winds, the tropical natives shivered as they said they had a “good time ice fishing.”

There were also several children fishing with their parents, including prize-winner Kinsley Beer, 5, of Hendricks. Beer also won an ice fishing pole and tackle for second place in the perch division.

Derek Holmgren, 14, of Marshall was fishing with his father, Joel Holmgren. The two guys were fishing inside an Eskimo QuickFish 6 pop-up portable fish house. They had drilled four holes through which to fish and had been at it since shortly after the 11 a.m. starting time.

“The best of electronics won’t make the fish bite,” Joel Holmgren said when asked about the equipment they had been using. He also said that the ice on the lake was 2 feet thick in some spots.

Holmgren said he and his family ice fish regularly and often travel up to an hour from Marshall to do so.

“We’ll probably go somewhere again next weekend,” Joel Holmgren said.

Nolan Hybbert from Ghent had his whole family with him. He, his wife Kari and their two children also were fishless, but had a good time fishing inside their Ice Castle fish house. They also frequently go 20-30 miles from home and take picnic lunches with them to make a day of it.

There were 12 fish registered in three contest divisions, walleye, northern and perch. Three prizes levels were given in each category. First place received a Laser Ice Auger, second place received an ice fishing rod and tackle and third place winners received a $25, gift card to Scheels All Sports, said Brenda Boeve, president of the Lake Hendricks Improvement Association which sponsored the derby.

In the walleye division, first place winner Tanner Sterzinger won an ice auger with a 6-pound 3-ounce walleye. In the northern division, was Taylor Maranell took first place and a new ice auger with a 7-pound 13.3 ounce northern. Kevin Benz, of Shokopee, also took home a new ice auger with a 14.11-ounce perch.

It was noted that one child also placed in the contest. Kinsley Beer, 5, of Hendricks caught a 13.8-ounce perch for second place and a new ice fishing rod and tackle set.

There were also special drawings for cash prizes and other items won in a raffle following the fishing awards.

Of the nearly 50 sponsors of the event, Chuck’s Repair won the “Print of the Year” in the sponsor drawing.

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