Millpond Improvement Association tourney a success

Published 3:36 pm Monday, June 24, 2013

First place for crappie went to Jason Keen and Tobin Thomas. Their first place check is being presented by Millpond Improvement Association President Don Wolford, left, and Dowagiac Mayor Don Lyons, right. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

First place for crappie went to Jason Keen and Tobin Thomas. Their first place check is being presented by Millpond Improvement Association President Don Wolford, left, and Dowagiac Mayor Don Lyons, right. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

The third annual Millpond Improvement Association multi-species fishing tourney was once again a success according to Vice President and tournament director Rick O’Konski.

Despite warm and humid weather, 35 teams took part in the tournament, which had divisions for crappie, blue gill, bass and carp.

The association raised $1,777.50 for the day.

Taking first place in the crappie division were Jason Keen and Tobin Thomas with a total length of 11 1/4 inches.

Second place went to Brad Kline and Kelly Wegner with a total length of 10 7/8 inches.

Gordon and Randy Luthringer won the blue gill division with a total length of 8 1/2 inches. Runners-up with a length of 7 7/8 inches were Jim and Linda O’Konski and Andy Parmley and James Dwyer.

Keen and Tobin also won first place in the bass division with a total weight of four pounds, four ounces. Second place went to John Gipson and Rick Morrison with a weight of three pounds, eight ounces.

Tyler Wade and Jacob Nolke took first place for carp with a total weight of 21 pounds. Finishing second were Mark Barrett and Greg Schonbok with a weight of 14 pounds.

Doug Sebasty was the grand prize drawing winner of a muzzle loader, which was sponsored by Tom Jerdon and the Millpond Improvement Association.

Here is a list of the 2013 tournament sponsors:

Chuck Heddon, Heddon Museum, Lyons Industries, Budweiser, Jacksons Tire, Dr. Montgomery, Underwood Shoe Store, Dowagiac Auto Service, Jim D’s Body Shop, Creative Vinyl, Huntington Bank, Caruso’s Candy Kitchen, D & R Sports, Wounded Minnow, Mahar Insurance, John & Curts Brake & Alignment, Honor Credit Union, Deals on Wheels, Mr. Wahoo, Jerdon Real Estate, Pizza Hut of Michigan, Wolford Electric, Lunkers Inc., C. Wimberely Automotive Group, Cranky Hanks, Bakeman’s Barber Shop, Aftershock Audio, Steinman Service, L.A.D.D. Inc., NAPA Ridge, Hales Hardware/ Radio Shack, Benny’s Barber Shop, Chet Nichols, Amersdorfer /Wiltse Insurance, Tactical Hunting Solutions llc, Division Tire, Saylor’s Pizza, Manor Mini Mart, Movies Movies, Eckman Chiropractic Center, Lake Effect Powersports, 2b’s Gold & Trade, Vylonis Contracting Inc., Wilsons Farrier Services, Highs Marine and Cass Outdoor Power Equipment Corp.

Dialo’s Catering, Lindys, Thomas J. Mosier Water Well Drilling, Image Screen Printing, Judd Lumber, Matthews Real Estate llc., Booth’s Country Florist, Trails End Sports, Symonds Machine Co., Haley’s Septic, Dowagiac Animal Hospital, The Firing Pin, Olympia Books

Hook’s Live Bait-Tackle, Ron’s  Fishermans Luck, Midway Marine, Rise and Shine Café, MS Outdoors, Trailhead Mercantile, Dave’s Auto Repair, My Eye Photography, Outdoor News of Michigan and Crème Lures.