Anglers aim to reel in a cure

The 10th Annual Fishing for a Cure tournament is set for this weekend, and neither warm weather nor elusive fish will turn away the participants.

Despite an unusually warm week, Jim Nelson, one of the event organizers, said the ice on East Side Lake was still 14 inches as of Tuesday. Registration for the tournament — which is now a part of the inaugural Paint the Town Pink celebration — begins 11 a.m. at East Side Lake, with the tournament from noon to 2 p.m.

“There is no concern of canceling right now, whatsoever,” Nelson said, and added the warmth may only create some slushiness on top of the ice.

What started as a friendly fishing tournament between a couple buddies at Hormel Foods has now turned into an annual fundraiser with more participants every year. In the past three years, the event raised $6,600 for cancer research, and it’s still growing.

This will be the first year the tournament takes place on East Side Lake. While the event was held above Ramsey Dam with an evening celebration and prizes at the Windrift Lounge, it has become too large to continue at those locations.

“The Windrift has been just super these last years helping out with the event,” Nelson said. “Just the last couple of years, it was so crowded. If we were going to get bigger, we had to move the event.”

And because the event is more about raising money for cancer research than fishing, few will likely complain about the change. Even if the ice gets too thin to walk on, Nelson said the event is still a good value for everyone. This year’s after-fishing party will take place at the Austin Eagles Club from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. or later, just blocks from East Side Lake. The entry fee for the entire event is $10 and includes a meal at the Eagles, as well.

There will be the traditional first, second and third place prizes for largest fish, and if nobody catches anything, a drawing will be held to award those prizes.

Nelson added the sheer amount of raffle items and door prizes draws a lot of attention, as a majority of people win something. Whether a fisherman or not, Nelson encourages anyone to attend.

“The fishing is only a part of this whole fundraising event,” he said.

SportsPlus

Education

AHS, Austin Online, and Austin Area Learning Center participate in Direct Admissions Minnesota Program

Business

Hormel Ghost Reaper Chili with Beans returns

Mower County

Ikes to hold cookout fundraiser

Mower County

In Your Community: Order Eastern Stars collect food for Salvation Army

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Sept. 16-30

News

A crash saved a teenager whose car suddenly sped up to 120 mph in the rural Midwest

Mower County

10 years of trees: Spruce Up Austin celebrates anniversary of Tree Trek

Mower County

Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative linemen heading to Hurricane Helene support

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Lyle 18-year-old gets prison time for child pornography charges

News

Minnesota first responders, volunteers head south to aid in Hurricane Helene cleanup

Mower County

Local songwriters featured next in the Mower County Grown series

Mower County

Vikings plan to bring Hockenson back to practice this week in latest step toward return

Mower County

Fire Department to hold open house

News

Walmart employees to get expanded cancer treatment options with the Mayo Clinic

News

Walz and Vance go in depth on policy while attacking each other’s running mates in VP debate

Mower County

Dinner and a Dance

News

State reminds Minnesotans to act now to avoid losing heat and electricity this winter

News

The US could see shortages and higher retail prices if a dockworkers strike drags on

News

Minnesota trees in turmoil due to drastic seasonal changes

Mower County

MnDOT invites schools and communities to take part in Walk to School Day on Oct. 9

Mower County

In Your Community: Audubon hosts free presentation, business meeting

Mower County

In Your Community: Audubon holding bird seed sale