Lake Trout Classic a success
Skip Schulz/For the Gazette The team of (from left) Ann Colgin and Stacy Colgin took first place in the Lake Trout Classic Powderpuff last weekend in Ontonagon.
ONTONAGON — Some say that summer begins on Memorial Day weekend. For the hundreds of participants in the annual Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic, summer begins the weekend of “The Classic.” That is the Aspirus-Ontonagon, Lake Trout Classic.
Last weekend, 56 teams participated in the tournament. The tournament started on Friday, May 21, with what is called, the ‘Pre-Tourney.’ The women headed out on the lake at 6 a.m. on Friday for the chance to haul in the heaviest group and/or the largest fish.
While it may be a competitive event, it is all about having fun, and raising money for the Ontonagon County Cancer Association (OCCA). Since the Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic began in May 2003, this tournament has handed out thousands and thousands of dollars to the OCCA.
Totaling close to $100,000, the Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic donation to the OCCA helps this volunteer run organization cover medical costs, including travel that insurance does not cover. Something that Larry and Diane Grieg know all too well.
Larry has lost members of his family to cancer. Diane, who works at Aspirus-Ontonagon, has seen what cancer has done to those affected and their families. The Griegs may run and organize the Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic, but they are the first to thank the sponsors of the tourney, and all those that participate.
Skip Schulz/For the Gazette The team of (from left) Robin Harsvick, Lenore Smith, and Brooke Holmstrom, took second in the Lake Trout Classic Powderpuff last weekend in Ontonagon.
Fifty-six teams that participated at this year’s tournament, up from the last one they ran close to two years ago. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s.
The tourney grows each year, with growth in both the number of teams that participate, and events associated with the tourney; such as the annual fish fry where the fish they caught are fried up and served to the public. This year’s fish fry was held at the Ontonagon VFW, with Lynn and Bob Majurin donning the chef’s hat.
“We want to thank all those that helped clean the fish,” said Diane Grieg. “The fish that were served were those caught in the tourney. That’s the true meaning of ‘fresh lake trout.’
“In fact, we ran out of lake trout.”
The Majurins, like so many people that participate in the weekend’s events, are volunteers, just like the Upper Peninsula Sport Fisherman’s Association (UPSFA), who helps man (and women) the tourney are sponsors.
The UPSFA actively assists and donate to fish plants and habitat improvement throughout the county. The UPSFA has a membership drive underway right now where the organization looks to all forms of fisherman to join.
It is the Lake Trout Classic that brings dollars into the area’s economy.
“We had teams from throughout the Upper Peninsula, Lower Peninsula, Wisconsin, and Minnesota competing in the classic,” said Larry Grieg. “From the gals that participate in Friday’s Powder Puff, to those that fished all weekend, each loves the tourney.”
How was the fishing?
“Fishing was fantastic. Not as many salmon, but loads of lake trout,” said both Larry and Diane Grieg.
For any event to last 18 years, the Griegs know it comes down to many factors in the success of the Lake Trout Classic. They quickly told this reporter as to how thankful they are for the many sponsors of the tourney.
“Many thanks to all the sponsors, who after last year when we had to cancel the tourney, still contributed to the tourney. We also want to thank all those same people that keep coming back every year, we can’t thank everyone enough for their support,” they said.
“We can’t thank Diane and Larry Grieg for all the planning, organizing, and work they do with the Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic,” said the OCCA.
2021 Aspirus Lake Trout Classic Results
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- Skip Schulz/For the Gazette The team of (from left) Ann Colgin and Stacy Colgin took first place in the Lake Trout Classic Powderpuff last weekend in Ontonagon.
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- Skip Schulz/For the Gazette The team of (from left) Robin Harsvick, Lenore Smith, and Brooke Holmstrom, took second in the Lake Trout Classic Powderpuff last weekend in Ontonagon.
Powderpuff Division
1st Place: Ann Colgin, Stacy Colgin, 22.8
2nd Place: Robin Harsvick, Brooke Holmstrom, Lenore Smith, 22.1
3rd Place: Lauren Harvey, Kate Vizanke, Morgan, 19.12
Largest Fish- 1st Place: Deanna Coffey, Hillary Stites, Shayna Stites, (Salmon), 9.4
Pre-Tourney
1st Place: Dane Rossato, Stone, Bob Rossato, Mike Schalow (Laker), 11.0
Lake Trout Classic
1st Place: Kevin Patana, Tyler Martinac, Mike Morris, 33.79
2nd Place: Jim Meagher, John Meagher, Dalton Van Blairicom, 28.15
3rd Place: Richard Wardynski, Brandon Jilbert, Adam Pindrall, 24.95
4th Place: Ralph Tinkey, Tim Brew, John Casanova, 24.65
5th Place: Dennis Almli, Loren Almli, 22.94
6th Place: Steven Lindstrom, Brian Lindstrom, Ed McCumber, 22.64
7th Place: Jim Bittorf, Paul Bittorf, John Hersman, 21.68
8th Place: Paul Luokka, Aaron Dean, Ron Harte, Wayne, 21.49
Largest Fish Categories
King Salmon
1st Place: Damian Coffey, 9.84
2nd Place: Mike Applecamp, 8.91
Coho
1st Place: John Shade, 3.82
2nd Place: Jesse Stites, 3.8
Lake Trout
1st Place: Jim Meagher, 16.28
2nd Place: Kevin Patana, 15.82
Steelhead
1st Place: Dale Karttunen 7.90
2nd Place: John Myllylahti 6.46
Brown Trout
1st Place: Emmerson Manos, 8.27
2nd Place: Mark Meyer, 7.78
Ladies Lake Trout
1st Place: Cheyenne Shade, 9.58
2nd Place: Chrissy Hegewald, 7.96
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