The International Falls Bass Championship is underway after boats casted off into Rainy River and Rainy Lake at 7 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. this morning respectively.
“Everything is going better than expected,” said tournament president Gary Potter. “The first year we were hoping for the best, the second year we kind of knew what to expect and hoped it went well, and this year everything is just beyond our expectations.”
Fifty-nine teams are participating in the tournament, competing for $30,000 in prize money, capped by a $10,000 grand prize. Potter said the morning went “perfect” and anglers were likewise content.
“They were smiley, they got a good breakfast. Nothing but positive comments from the anglers,” he said.
Weigh-ins will begin at 3 p.m. both this afternoon and on Saturday under the tent at Smokey Bear Park on Third Street in International Falls. Live entertainment will be hosted at the park day and night during the tournament, with daytime events free of cost.
Fans hoping to see the anglers cast off tomorrow are suggested to head to Woody’s Rainy Lake Resort in Ranier for the lake and Ron Hall Memorial Landing on Shorewood Drive for the river.
The tournament is notable in its format, which sees anglers fish one day on Rainy Lake and the next on Rainy River, or vice versa. Potter said most of the feedback he gets from anglers are comments about how they enjoy the change of pace.
Many local anglers from both sides of the river are competing in this year’s championship, including last year’s runners up, Dale LaBelle of Devlin and Karl Howells of Fort Frances, and last year’s top team from the Falls, Kelly and Jason Blome.
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