Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Fish tourney called off at Saxon Harbor

By RALPH ANSAMI

[email protected]

SAXON, Wis. - It would typically be the time of the year for the annual Saxon Harbor Boating Club's weekend fishing tournament on Lake Superior, with the campgrounds filled.

But there is no campground and there will be no tourney this year following last summer's devastating flood.

The captain of the winners of last year's tourney, Dan (Jumbo) Talkowski, said the boating club was invited to participate in a tourney in Washburn this year, but declined.

"Presently, we are patiently waiting to defend our title," Talkowski said of the winning Skin Deep team that also includes Alan Lardinois, Pete Stevens and Art Lardinois.

Meanwhile, owners of charter boats and the bigger crafts that formerly used the harbor but were destroyed are docking their newly purchased boats elsewhere this summer.

The harbor marina had 90 boat slips and there were around 30 campsites before the July 11-12 storm of last summer destroyed the harbor.

Smaller boats are still able to get onto the lake from the remaining boat landing at the end of the northwest parking lot. The other landing is closed and the main channel is too shallow for big boats.

Proceeds from the fishing tourney in previous years helped the boating club improve the harbor, including the campground that was also destroyed.

A fish cleaning station, playground equipment and an improved gazebo, with a solid floor and electricity, were some of the recent additions made possible by the boating club's contributions. The gazebo remains.

A March post on the boating club's website sums up the present situation and offers hope for the future, including the return of the fishing contests.

"Camping at Saxon Harbor was the most relaxing, battery-charging, get my senses back in line experience. The old campground and marina were so cool. I know we will be camping there again in a few years. Can't wait. Saxon will be great again, not the same, but unique in its own way," wrote Ernie Crouzer.

 
 
Rendered 03/23/2024 07:53