ALTHOUGH all the almost 9,000 members of the thirty second Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza presumably signed as much as catch fish on Jan. 28, most will inform you it’s actually an event to get collectively. (And for a great trigger too: The annual match in Nisswa, Minnesota, raised greater than $98,000 for native charities final yr.)
“The fishing aspect ain’t all that great,” says Tucker Vetsch (above), who has attracted consideration for his taxidermy buck hat. Although the 18-year-old positioned second general in 2022, he didn’t catch a single fish on Saturday. “I go for the experience and all that goes on, rather than the actual fishing.”
For most people, that features grilling out on the ice, sipping half-frozen beers with outdated buddies, fishing with the children, snagging raffle prizes, and infrequently, catching a walleye or perch.
“It started out with my grandfather, my dad, and I as just a yearly thing, but as we got older and the friendship between the guys that went out there got stronger, we’ve all made it a staple every year,” says Ronald Enrooth of his highschool buddies. The Enrooth crew has attended the match since 2006 and has slowly turned the weekend occasion right into a full-blown trip, typically heading there as early as Wednesday earlier than the tourney. “We go up, we eat, we play cards, we snowmobile. We just enjoy the northern Minnesota atmosphere. And then we fish.”
So within the true spirit of the Jaycees Extravaganza, right here’s a take a look at among the food and drinks that energy the funnest ice fishing tourney on this planet.
Anglers on the ice at Hole within the Day Bay on Gull Lake, which lies about 10 miles north of Brainerd. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberAnglers line up for $6 deep-fried Oreos, hand-dipped corn canine, and cheese curds: common or jalapeño, and obtainable by the bucket for $17. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberCody and Amy Hines kick off their eighth match along with a pair of Drunken Rudolphs, as a result of spiked sizzling chocolate is “a nice way to warm up the insides.” The excessive on Saturday was 3 levels F. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberA sled loaded with all of the requirements for a day on the ice—together with a case of Busch Light. Trucks and different autos are usually not permitted on the frozen lake, so members pack of their gear, sort out, snacks, and drinks in sleds like this one. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberJohn Wely, 8, helps promote $1 sizzling canine to lift funds for an area wrestling group. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberAfter chilly beer, sizzling canine are prime of the checklist for affordable and straightforward fare on the ice. Ackerman + GruberDave Moonen of Danger Moon Farm in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, nurses a sizzling drink whereas grilling wieners comprised of “old school pigs,” because the signal on his trailer marketed. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberLive minnow photographs (one thing PETA has griped about previously) are a staple, and an occasional ceremony of passage, at ice fishing tournaments just like the Extravaganza. Ackerman + GruberSydney Wold throws again a recent minnow contained in the drinks tent. Ackerman + GruberGrace Lenhardt, 13, sits on a heated sofa, which her dad constructed on skis, and focuses on fishing. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberFrom left: Longtime buddies Ronald Enrooth, 31, Chris Eaton, 29, and Zach Hinricher, 29, put together to take photographs of peach schnapps. The Enrooth household of New Prague, Minnesota, has been attending the match since 2006. Over the years, their camp kitchen has developed to incorporate the cupboard and Coleman cookstove seen within the background. The plastic jug on the ice comprises a premixed cocktail of orange juice, 7 Up, and vodka, to which the blokes add their most popular quantities of brandy. Just a few days later, none of them can keep in mind the nonsense identify they invented for this yr’s combine. (Purple Monster? Orange YumYum?) “The only ingredient that we religiously put in there is Leroux blackberry brandy, because that’s the only blackberry brandy that my family buys,“ says Enrooth. “It’s our running joke that it’s blessed by the Pope.” Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberThe Enrooths prepare dinner up New York strip steak and potatoes seasoned with home-smoked salt, pepper, garlic, and butter. The crew initially ready the usual fare of brats and burgers, however they’ve expanded their repertoire to incorporate soups, chili, and butter-fried beef. “In a normal year my dad is the chef, but he actually had Covid a few weeks before, so he was taking it easy,“ says Enrooth. “I prepared everything and then we all took turns doing the potatoes and steaks.” Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberSheldon McCoy stays heat with a fur-lined hat and gloves, and a bottle peppermint schnapps. The latter, explains Enrooth, is right for ice fishing. “It has enough alcohol content not to freeze, but it’s not as harsh as a vodka or whiskey. You don’t need to bring any mixers, and it’s good to go.” Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberMark Welna (left) and Mike Ronayne put away a pair of sizzling canine. The two have been associates since first grade. Jenn Ackerman and Tim GruberA faux memorial erected to pour one out for a buddy who could be very a lot alive however missed this yr’s Extravaganza—the primary time since 2004. A pair of walnuts relaxation beneath the frozen Coors Light. Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber
