Bass tournament on flowage brings smiles

By MEGAN HUGHES

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GILE Wis. - The third annual Luoma's Saxon Pub Bass Tournament took place Saturday, with fishermen, local and visiting, gathering early in the morning to put their boats in the water at the Gile Flowage. 

The tournament, which has become a tradition for local fishing groups, had 29 teams competing this year, up from the 27 from last year.

Bar owners Kyle and Alena Luoma hosted the event, with organizers setting up a weigh-in station and refreshments near the dock in Gile park. 

The event started at 6 a.m. and fishing lasted until 3 p.m. with fishermen returning to shore throughout the day to weigh their fish. 

The final weigh in was from 3 to 4 p.m., and participants gathered around to see what everyone brought in, and compare final scores.

"This is a catch and release tournament," said Kyle Luoma early in the day. He explained that for a fish to be counted, it had to be brought in alive. This year there was only a single fish death.

Many of the participants were from local fishing clubs, according to Luoma, but participants didn't need to be a part of a club to participate.

Alena Luoma said the tournament had been going on for a number of years, and was rebranded three years ago once she and Kyle purchased the bar.

Results included:

1st place: Kyle Elsemore and Perry Elsemore, final weight caught: 14.76 pounds

2nd place: Josh Ciatti and Jake Dern, final weight caught: 14.42 pounds

3rd place:  Dan Nordhaugh and Richie Dabbs, final weight caught: 14.34 pounds

4th place: Phil Aho and Cooper Aho, final weight caught: 14.31 pounds

5th place: Joe Hariu and Nicole Maccani, final weight caught: 13.16 pounds

6th place; Carlo Lahti and Barry Ducharme, final weight caught: 12.86 pounds

The largest fish caught was reeled in by the duo of Dan Nordhaugh and Richie Dabbs at 3.51 pounds.