The 19th Annual Wolford Ice Fishing Contest was a HUGE success with 450 registered contestants including 35 kids. The contest attracted locals, people from Denver, the rest of Colorado, and even people traveling from out of state.
Ice fishing is definitely a family tradition with many folks coming back to Kremmling year after year for the ice fishing tournament. They site being able to drive on the ice as the number one reason they love this contest, so many thanks to the Colorado River District and Mother Nature for making that possible this year. It was touch and go with all the warmer weather which created slush, but it stayed cold enough at night to keep the ice from completely melting. The weather was cooperative the day of the contest too, providing just enough cloud coverage and sunshine to keep things in check. The winds did start up in the afternoon a little bit.
A heartfelt thank you to Jeff Miller who literally makes this event happen every year. Jeff, his son Jordan Miller, Kendra and Charlie White, Kelly Borden and Bobby Z put the huge tent up on the ice. Jeff and Jordan Miller assisted with registration, parking , selling raffle tickets and measuring fish.
Tom Cary was our master parking coordinator and fish measurer with the assistance of Vick Caylor, Richard Tewelliger, Jon Ewert and Jim White. These gentlemen were at their post at 5 am sharp to get the job done. Thank you so much!
A huge thank you to Jhan Pedersen and Ira Wertenteil for allowing us to hang our 30 foot banners on their properties to advertise the contest. The banners were hung by the crew at Northwest Ranch Supply, Jake Setliff, Ed Stubbs, and Ben Edmondson which was no easy feat in the middle of winter.
Thank you Blue Valley Ranch for sponsoring the main attraction, the $10,000 Tagged Fish event. The Rocky Mountain Bar and Grill and Town and Country Insurance were runner up sponsors for the tagged fish contest, so a huge thank you to them for making that event happen.
A BIG thank you to Murdoch’s of Fraser and Silverthorne for being first time sponsors, as well as Sportsman’s Warehouse in Thornton. We still have some 20% off coupons from Murdoch’s at the Chamber if anyone is interested.
during the Wolford Ice Fishing
Tournament.
Local businesses turned out in droves to support the ice fishing contest. Tri- River Ace Hardware donated the kids trophies, Omni Real Estate donated the kids goodie bags, Grand Fence, LLC sponsored the Kid’s hourly prizes and Red Mountain RV Park donated the adult hourly prizes.
Door prizes were donated by The Allington, Muddy Creek Cabins, Wolford Campgrounds, Heeney Marina, Quarter Circle, West End Liquors, The Well, Jilly’s, the Kremmling Mercantile, the Moose Café, Flowers by Marcia’s, Subway, Ghostwood Interiors, Latigo Ranch, Los Amigos, Big Shooters Coffee, Mt. Dragon, Kum and Go and Fish Explorer.
Many thanks to Dawna Carpenter Heller, Rosie Stahl, and Kori Ekren for volunteering to help with registrations, taking photos, and the awards ceremony.
A big thank you to Shyla Bohall for putting in extra hours to make this event seamless.
And thank you to Jenessa Watermann and Derrick Davis from Blue Mountain Grill for running concessions with delicious breakfast burritos, burgers, and steaks.
The Wolford Ice Fishing Contest could not happen without the community spirit of Kremmling and the generosity shown by the local businesses. We hope you all saw an increase in sales over the weekend. I apologize profusely if I overlooked anybody.
Fish on!
Shelly McManus
Executive Director
