Future FMer's Get Together Recap.

[polarsusd81]

First things first, I would like to thank everybody that made it out to the lake Saturday. Everyone had a great time and a lot of people caught fish. Shallow was the key for those that were successful. On Monday afternoon my buddy and I found a lot of fish shallow so that was the game plan. There were a few that fished a little deeper and didn't do as well but still had fun. Most of the kids made new friends out there too. We had kids from 6 months up to 15 I think. Quite a few people caught their first fish ever at the get together as well, something I always look forward to seeing. I got to help one little girl catch her first fish, that really made me happy. We had about 75 kids come out and just as many parents. There were a lot of people out there.

We had a ton of hot dogs and chips that were gobbled up by the kids out there. We went through 100+ dogs. Two of my aunts and a cousin helped out at the food table. My aunt's Ford Explorer made a good wind block for the food tables.

Speaking of the wind, that was probably the most difficult part of the day. We had a steady wind out on the lake that kept blowing things around. Plenty of people brought portable houses out and let the kids go inside to warm up. Two guys brought out Clam 6800 houses and set them up just to warm up, thanks Gurkster. Hovermn brought his wheel house out and I know quite a few people went over there to check it out and warm up a bit. That is one nice shack you have Hover.

We also had quite a few giveaways from various donors. Outdoor Pro Store donated a bunch of Flutter Jigs to give away. Bruce Mosher from Today's Tackle donated a ton of Ice Buster Bobbers to give away for the kids and Scott Armstrong aka ddsbyday donated a bunch of custom jigs he poured and painted for the kids. Check him out at atijigs.com Thorne Bros donated a few rod and reel combos along with a couple stocking caps and stickers. Frankies once again donated a bunch of bait and a Catch-Cover Slush Bucket for the prize give away. The next time you stop in to any of these stores or see these guys online, be sure to say thank you.

We also had quite a bit of help from volunteers. Aunt Terri, Aunt Alysia, and Lexi, thank you very much for helping out at the food tables. Airjer and Gurkster, thanks for coming out early and helping get everything set up. Matt Frank and Nick Zeurs, thanks for coming out to help drill holes. I know there are a bunch I am missing, but thanks to everyone for coming out to make this get together what it was, a ton of fun.

Here are some photos.

Our attempt at a group photo.

Come on up and grab some jigs and bobbers.

Aerial view of the giveaway table

Zoe's big bluegill.

A first fish.

Harp's daughter Alex patiently working bluegills.

Running after tip-ups can be dangerous.

Uncle Bill even managed to pull a walleye off the bottom.

I missed one this big, it can be entertaining on the ice.

Zoe and family went to warm up at Hovermn's wheel house and watch a little Finding Nemo.

Thanks to all who took and sent photos over to me.

[polarsusd81]

Here are some more photos from Saturday.

Scottimus and one of his boy's

Airjer captured this great shot when Scott's son missed a huge crappie.

Working jigs with the Vexilar.

A bass fell victim to a tip-up.

Sweet new rod donated by Thorne Bros

Grace with a new rod that even lights up when you turn the handle.

Got a sweet new hat.

She got a new rod too!

Another one happy with a new rod.

This picture says it all.

[Sandmannd]

Looks Awesome Tom, wish I could have made it this year.

[bassNspear]

looks like it was a great time. Kids look to be having a great time! That is what its all about!

[Team Otter]

Wonderful recap! Looks like a great event. Happy to see everyone had a good time.

[Harp]

Thanks to Tom and everyone that helped put this on again this year. My girls had a great time. Alex's bucket time paid off with a couple gill between a little hotdog eating and chasing some cheeto's down with some punch. Gracie won a fishpole combo with a reel that lights up when you reel it. She thinks it is very cool, she can rig up with new jigs and an ice buster bobber. Hey and thanks to whom ever caught my fine graceful power slide biff in an attempt at running in excitement over the tipup flag on film; a classic that would make Bill Dance proud. The NW wind was sharp but sitting in the portable to warm up the kids thought was a neat way to go fishing. I don't think the old scout will make it next year, I might need to add capacity for the future FMers next season.

Thanks again,

HARP and family

[Northlander]

Awesome man. Lots of cool smiles there. Great job and doing this again!!!

[DonBo]

Great job to everyone involved. Wish I could have been there again. Maybe next year.

[Cyberfish]

Great job with the kids! looks like a good time was had by all!

[thedeadsea]

Excellent job exposing more young ones to the sport!

[St_Croix_Banks]

Thanks to Tom and the hearty hot dog cookin' crew and all the volunteers. My daughter had a great time!

[ole]

Great time Tom, Everyone in my crew caught fish!

Thanks to everybody involved with this.

Heck, my crew is already talking about next year

ole

[hovermn]

Thanks Tom and everyone else for putting on a great show! ShawnnyB's bundled up joy had a blast playing with the other kids, even though they were watching "her" TV in the fish house! I don't think any fish were caught out of the house during the GTG, but a little later on, the crappie movied in, and we even managed a couple of eyes. Not bad for the near close of the season!

Gurkster, give me a buzz over email. I have some info you may be interested in. Just remember to add dot com after my license plate

[polarsusd81]

Good to hear that you guys got into some fish after all hover. How big were the eyes you got into? Thanks again for coming out, it was nice meeting you.

If I didn't get a chance to say hello to anyone, I am sorry. I think I made it around to all the folks that made it out, but it was very hectic and there were a ton of people out there. I had a ton of fun out there helping the little ones catch fish.

If anyone has any pics to share, post em up here or shoot me an email, and I can post em up for you. c_tom_dobbins at yahoo

[Blainebob]

Defintley have to make it out there with my two next year. They would have a blast! Great pics!

[Scottimus]

Thanks Tom and all those who helped out! Me and one of my boys came last year and I talked my other boy into it this year. Both had a blast and both caught fish! (one caught 4 and the other caught 3). We are definitely looking forward to next year as well!

Thanks all!

[youngie22]

looks like a blast, my daughter would have had a blast up there w/ the other kids. hopefully next winter or this summer when another is planned, there is no FLu bug runnin through the household. Good job guys

[Deitz Dittrich]

Looks like it was a blast again.. Just wish I could have made it again this year!

Nice work guys getting the little ones hooked on fishin!

[Scott M]

Another great job in organizing this polarsusd81. Really nice to see a sponsor like Thorne Bros. step it up and make a donation. It's nice to see an industry make the nod to its future. Great job by all and it looked like it was a ton of fun!

[Vallejo]

Thank you Tom for setting this up. My grandson Jaxon had a great time here are a few pics.

When the prizes were being given away, he actually said that he did not care for the prizes he wanted to get back to the house and catch some more fish. His father texted me at 4:00 pm, if Jaxon was having a good time and when were we coming home. I told him that he was having a blast and does not want to go home yet. When my phone rang again, Jaxon said if that is my daddy just hang up. I'm not ready to go yet, Papa!

[polarsusd81]

That is an awesome story Vallejo. That first fish, the pumkinseed is a horse. He got a nice bass too it looks like. I am guessing you were in about 7 fow (5 under the ice). If I remember where you guys set up. I was wondering why you guys didn't come over to the table when we were doing the giveaway, now I see why. Glad you guys could make it out.

[Shawnny B]

Great meeting everyone, I will be out again next year, and maybe we will be out more if that wind wont be around! Tom, The Crappies were all 8" or less, but still they filled the screen on the Marcum's and the walleyes were around 16" give or take a few.

[skiinglady]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for putting together another great intro to fishing. I brought along a mom and daughter whom neither had ever caught a fish. The mom was sheepish about it when she told me she had lived in MN all her life and never caught one fish. Guess what? They each caught the first fish of their lifetime on Saturday. Rock on!

Thanks for the prizes. I'll be sure to mention it to the vendors the next time I'm in their stores.

Jane

[YourBobersDown]

Sorry I missed out on this event, I am glad to see everyone had a god time. Great job putting this all together Tom it is good to know we have people so passionate about getting kids out there fishing.