Snake Hunt tourney draws 56 fishermen to Gile Flowage

By P.J. GLISSON

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GILE, Wis. - Saturday's Snake Hunt Fishing Tournament drew 28 boats and 56 registrants and resulted with five pairs winning in overall inches of up to 10 fish. Two men split the honor of catching the longest single fish.

Operating out of the County C boat launch on the Gile Flowage, the contest accepted only northern pike, according to Curt Myers, who was manning the measuring table, where his wife, Terry, was recording inches measured by Mark Radovich.

Jeff Franzoi of Hurley and Cory Sbraggia of Montreal tied for the longest single fish at 29.75 inches. They split the $100 prize.

Mike Mullen of Montreal and Art Lardinois of Gile won first place for 216.75 total inches of 10 fish caught.

"We had an exceptionally good day," said Lardinois, who added that it was his own "best day for the snake hunt."

Collie Paulson provided the results.

Paulson, who has offered the event for the past nine years, said that a grand total of 177 fish were caught, with 22 of them released back into the water.

Terry Myers said the contest organizers were required to keep track of how many fish are caught, as well as how many are thrown back. Her husband said the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources needs the data to assess the seasonal creel count, which helps authorities with overall fisheries management.

Jay Kinnunen of Hurley and Zach Salter of Mercer were among fishermen who threw back the small fish. They returned seven live fish back in the water and kept only three dead ones, they said.

Despite not placing in the contest, the men were all smiles as they waited for their fish to be measured. When one of the fish squirmed while being placed on the measuring stick, Salter kidded, "see that - he wants to be counted a couple more times."

As he pulled his boat in, Bruce Dalman of Wakefield said he didn't even bring any fish to shore. "I caught a couple little northern (pike) - threw them back," he said. "Caught a little perch - threw it back."

Dalman also was in good spirits. "It was just a good time to take the grandkids out," he said of his boat mates, Rorake Tiajn of Gile and Anne Kurty of Hurley.

Jerry Rice of Upson reported similar news. Although he said he normally has good luck on the flowage, he added that it was "just one of those days when they were not hitting."

Rice was fishing with Jeff Zschetzsche of Omro, Wisconsin.

At the measuring table, Curt Myers said he's heard positive fishing reports from friends who have been out since spring.

"I had some friends who caught some good walleye," he said and claimed that ice fishing on the flowage is generally always good.

The Myers' dog, Maddie, helped to supervise measuring while taking occasional jaunts to greet other dogs, beg for pets or cool off in the water.

According to Paulson, remaining winners in overall inches of up to 10 northern pike caught were as follows, all from the Hurley area:

-Second place: Jim and Carol Vokolek with 214.5 inches

-Third place: Wayne Binz and Jesse Vokolek with 212 inches

-Fourth place: Joe and Jeff Franzoi with 209.25 inches and

-Fifth place: Justin Soffa and Jeremy Derosso with 208 inches.

The Hurley Chamber of Commerce helped to organize the contest.

According to the DNR, Wisconsin's smallmouth bass season also started on Saturday and will continue until March 6, 2022.