Warrior’s Scramble Catch and Release Ice Fishing Tournament Recap

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by Kacey Beres, Jubilee Events

photo by Kim Cameron Tyler Harms shows off his new fishing rod and trophy with event organizer Kacey Beres.
photo by Kim Cameron
Tyler Harms shows off his new
fishing rod and trophy with event
organizer Kacey Beres.

The 2nd Annual Denver Water Warrior’s Scramble Catch and Release Ice Fishing Tournament was a success on William’s Fork Reservoir, Saturday, February 11, despite the rain, the wind and the snow.

All competitors were determined to catch the longest Northern Pike for the $1,000 cash prize or to walk away with the trophy for their military branch by having the longest collective inches of fish caught. Only one winner; Perry Apfelbeck of Dillon, secured the cash prize early in the day for catching a 40” Northern Pike.

Jeremy Turner of Denver won first place with a 23” Mackinaw; second place went to Lucas Pettigrew of Centennial with a 22¾” Mackinaw and Aurora local, Eric Ramsey placed third with his 21½” Mackinaw. Ford Williams of Silverthorne was the only competitor of the day to catch a Salmon and won prizes for the 14½” Kokonee. Again this year a 41/2” craw-dad was caught; but had to be returned to the water as it was not eligible for prizes. The competitors won ice shelters, gas and hand powered ice augers, ice fishing rods and Mr. Buddy heaters for their efforts. No Rainbow or Brown Trout caught this year.

Local Youth winner Quincey Harms won an ice fishing rod and a trophy for catching her 12 ½” Mackinaw and her brother Tyler Harms won the same prizes for catching a 16” Mackinaw. Ayden Wolf of Colorado Springs won first place by catching a 19 ¼” Mackinaw. The Army team led by Chad Wolf walked away with the trophy for catching a total of 697” inches of fish. The trophy, a bronzed eagle in flight on a wooden base, was donated to the event by Trophy Hut in Colorado Springs. The names of the winners will be added the to trophy base and will be a traveling tribute to the winners of the Warrior’s Scramble. All fish caught during the tournament were successfully released. Rocky Mountain Warriors; the beneficiary of the tournament, provided prizes donated through HT Enterprises, in addition to the cash the winner received from Jubilee Events.

A very excited Danielle Roswold from Grand Lake went home with new tires for her vehicle in the Lowe’s Bucket Drawing. The tires were a donation from XXX in Fraser, CO. Door prizes were provided by Penley Concrete, Ferguson Plumbing and Country ACE Hardware in Granby, Colorado Caliber; Denver, Kurt’s Sports; Delta, CO, and Jubilee Events.

The Parshall Inn was packed for the award ceremony with local competitors; some from as far away as Colorado Springs and Craig. Even the competitors who were “skunked” walked away with a hand powered ice auger. The Warrior’s Scramble Catch and Release Ice Fishing Tournament was a partnership between Denver Water, Grand County Colorado Tourism, Rocky Mountain Warriors and Jubilee Events.