Lots of fun, few fish at the Frenzy on Rudd Lake
Although ice fishing can be a solitary sport, friendly conversation and gentle gibes were the order of the morning Saturday for many of the groups gathered for the Rudd Ice Fishing Frenzy. Press photo by Bob Steenson
The weather was perfect for ice fishing Saturday morning on Rudd Lake. Warm enough that it was easy to stay comfortable with the proper clothing, but not so warm that there was much worry about the safety of the ice. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Blain Larson, left, and Weston Schmidt of Rockford chat while fishing on Rudd Lake Saturday morning. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Ice fishing can range from sitting on an upturned bucket that you carried onto the ice, to fishing inside a fancy heated pop-up ice house that was pulled out by snowmobile or four-wheeler. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Anglers pack up their gear and pull it off Rudd Lake after a horn blast signaled the end of the Rudd Ice Fishing Frenzy Saturday morning. Press photo by Bob Steenson
Justin Zeran and his son Jackson, of Lawler, leave the lake Saturday morning. Press photo by Bob Steenson
About 150 ice anglers spread out over Rudd Lake Saturday morning for the annual Rudd Ice Fishing Frenzy. Press photo by Bob Steenson
By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com
The Rudd Ice Fishing Frenzy had everything you need for an enjoyable morning on the ice — a solid surface beneath your feet, blue skies with bright white clouds, moderate temperatures and plenty of folks to share the experience — plus a hearty lunch afterwards.
Oh, sure, not a lot of people caught any fish. Not even those with high tech underwater cameras and sonar were having much luck on this particular day.
But as Floyd County Naturalist Heidi Reams put it, “It’s all about the fishing, not the catching.”
One angler of the glass-half-full variety chimed in: “Look at it this way — we ain’t gotta clean any.”
Adams Sears, Floyd County Conservation director, said he thought a couple of dozen fish had been caught and measured for a shot at largest fish or largest bluegill.
Justin Zeran of Lawler, walking back to the parking lot after a horn blast signaled the end of the competition, said, “Not one bite — but it was a good time.”
Justin’s young son, Jackson, pulling a sled full of fishing gear, piped up, “I think I had a bite!” but it got away before it could be pulled through the hole.
One unusual addition to the scene this year was a news crew from Germany. They were in the state doing stories on the runup to the Iowa caucuses to be held Monday night, didn’t have much to do Saturday morning and decided to check out the Rudd Ice Fishing Frenzy.
About 150 people showed up to participate in the annual frenzy on Rudd Lake, sponsored by Floyd County Conservation. The event this year was part of Cabin Fever Weekend, organized by the Charles City Chamber of Commerce along with various businesses and organizations.
The Rudd Volunteer Fire Department hosted the lunch, awards ceremony and prize drawings starting at noon, in the department’s station near Rudd Park.
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