Skip Schulz/For the Gazette Taking first place at this weekend’s Aspirus Ontonagon Lake Trout Classic (from left), Wayne Giesau, Paul Luokka, Aaron Dean.

Continuous rain, and cool temps did not dissuade fisherman from participating in the 16th Annual Lake Trout Classic fishing tournament in Ontonagon this weekend. The weather did shorten the tourney by one day, as the tournament ended on Saturday instead of Sunday, as originally scheduled.

That bumped the tournament awards ceremony up to Sunday Morning where over $3,000 in cash was handed out The tournament still raised well over $3,000 for the Ontonagon Cancer Association.

Taking home the $1,200 first place money and awards was the team of Paul Luoka, Wayne Giesau, and Aaron Dean. The trio brought in three fish that weighed in over 18 pounds combined. Taking second was Bobby Majurin, Bob Majurin, and J.R. Richardson, who caught over 15 pounds of fish. Third place went to Dale Karttunen, Pam Karttunen, and Dan Lutz.

The tourney, sponsored by Ontonagon Aspirus Hospital, actually started on Friday. Barb Gajewski and Mindy Sager won the Powder Puff, catching 16.7 pounds of fish. Taking second was Pam Karttunen, Cayla Karttunen, and Kerri Aho. Third place went to Sue Turin and Erin Peterson. Eleven teams competed in the Moonshine Lures Powder Puff tourney.

Winning the pre-tourney with one fish that weighed in close to 22 pounds was the trio of Randy Kemppainen, Steve Harbenski, and Dale Kettunen. Twelve teams took part in the Keweenaw Chevrolet pre-tourney.

The weather did not deter the fisherman from the beginning to Sunday’s awards. Organizer of the tournament, Larry Greig talked about the start of the tourney.

“The (Ontonagon) VFW held the Captains Meeting and did a great job hosting this,” Greig said. “Then, Saturday night, we had the fish fry to raise money for the (Ontonagon) Cancer Association.”

That fish fry, hampered by winds blowing the tent and tarp outside the VFW raised over $1200 for the Cancer Association. Greig thanked and commended all that brought the fish to be fried along with all the volunteers, including the VFW, for the success of the Saturday Night Fish Fry.

“As long as we keep catching and getting the fish, we’ll be doing this every year,” he said. “I remember when we started the tourney and we handed over the check to the Cancer Association. When I gave Bev Meagher that check, she started to cry. That’s when I knew we were going to keep this tourney going.”

The event is one of many events and projects hosted by the Upper Peninsula Sport Fisherman’s Association. At the awards ceremony, Greig talked about the organization and the importance of people to join.

The next event for the UP Sport Fisherman’s Association is the Ladies Day Powder Puff tourney. That will take place on June 22. Kids Day will be on June 29 at the Rockland Pond. Their next meeting will be on June 5, Ontonagon VFW, at 5 p.m.

“Membership in the UP Sport Fisherman’s Association is only $10.00 for a single membership, $15.00 for Family membership,” said Greig. “Please join.”

To join and for more information, contact Pam Karttunen, 884-4016.

Ontonagon Aspirus Lake Trout Classic Results, Presented by Greig’s Taxidermy: (No fishing on Sunday, due to weather)

Top 8 (3 fish total weight): 1) Paul Luokka, Wayne Giesau, Aaron Dean, 18.48; 2) Bobby Majurin, Bob Majurin, JR Richardson, 15.36; 3) Dale Karttunen, Pam Karttunen, Dan Lutz, 15.23; 4) Jason Ramsey, Mario Pekarek, Nick Pekarek, Tyler Labine, 15.05; 5) Justin Lepp, Bill Shardlow, Brennan Shardlow, 14.84; 6) Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Forslund, 14.69; 7) Adam Dehnert, Jesse Johnson, Jon Dehnert, 14.01; 8) John Strasser, Luke Strasser, 13.40.

Moonshine Lures Powder Puff (Top 3): 1) Barb Gajewski, Mindy Sager, 16.7; 2) Pam Karttunen, Cayla Karttunen, Kerri Aho, 16.7; 3) Sue Turin, Erin Peterson, 14.23.

Keweenaw Chevrolet Pre-Tourney (One Fish total Weight, 2nd and 3rd Place sponsored by Lake Shore Systems): 1) Randy Kemppainen, Steve Harbenski, Dale Kettunen, 20.97; 2) Bill Artwich, Barb Gajewski, Mindy Sager, 9.78; 3) John Strasser, 7.84.

Largest Fish Categories (2nd Place Sponsor-Copper Country Ford)

Pat’s Motorsports King: 1) Bobby Majurin, 8.47; 2) William Trombley, 8.46.

Coca Cola of Hancock Coho Salmon: 1) Barry Cole, 5.23; 2) Justin Lapp, 3.84.

Ontonagon Valley Sportsman Club Steelhead: 1) Bobby Majurin, 6.14; 2) John Myllahti, 5.42.

Ontonagon County Telephone Company Lake Trout: 1) Adam Dehnert, 10.30; 2) Fred Lundberg, 7.80.

UP Sport Fisherman Association Brown Trout: 1) Jimmy Johnson, 8.15; 2) Derrick Juntti, 6.70.

Shamrock Bar Ladies Lake Trout: 1) Pam Karttunen, 6.9; 2) Mikki Paulick, 5.65.