ND Live Fishing Reports

Fishing reports are updated every Friday and follow the ND Live radio program heard throughout North Dakota

Greg Schoneck

Last to Know

Looking back it’s been over 20 years now. Hard to believe, in fact as the saying goes, “Only by the grace of God.”  I still remember when Sam asked me to join him. “Can’t tonight, sorry.” That wasn’t the end of it though. Next week, same question, “Want to?”  “Ahh, I don’t think so.” You’d think Sam would get the idea and give up but he didn’t. Following Sunday he was back again with the same question, “Wanna go with me tonight?” As I look back I can remember thinking to myself, what the hell would he want me to go to AA for?

“Last to know” as another saying goes. It all began on a Sunday night when I ran out of excuses. I met others at AA just like myself. Guys who understood and had lived out similar experiences, had similar losses and were all too familiar with brokenness. The first weeks were tuff. The first year even tougher. Most don’t make it, odds are not on the alcoholic’s side.

Teen Challenge of Mandan is a drug and alcohol center with a reputation of helping. All who end up there have hit bottom with a thud and are not getting up on their own. That’s where ND Fishing Challenge comes in. Two fishing tournaments with the goal of raising awareness and money for Teen Challenge.

The first event is April 30^th on the Missouri River south of Mandan. We will be fishing out of Sugarloaf Recreation area. $200 gets you a chance for $2,500 guaranteed first place money. This is a two or 3 person tourney, weigh your best five. You don’t need me to explain how good spring fishing is on the Missouri.

The second event is July 16^th out of 6 Mile Bay, Devils Lake. If you have a style of fishing you insist on, Devils Lake will more than accommodate. Pitching jigs or cranks, pulling cranks, slip bobbers, lindys, spinners, Devils Lake is user friendly.

These tournaments are limited so sign up now. Your early entry will guarantee you a place. I’ll see you there.

I’ve since found a lot of things in life are tuff, sometimes impossible.  That is unless you have a Sam who comes along side and walks with you, believes in you, shares himself to better your odds. That is what the ND Fishing Challenge is all about. Helping someone else better their odds of having a story line, “Looking back it’s been over 20 years now.”

2010 Tournament on the Missouri (Video)

Gary Parsons for ND Fishing Challenge

Remember fishing is a learned sport. More you practice the better you get, so better get fishing!

Greg Schoneck for ND Live