Winter fishing reels in a crowd

CATCH OF THE DAY - Jeff Samsel, a writer from Georgia, caught a 10 lb., 29 inch trout at Pactola Lake on Tuesday, Feb. 7. He caught the fish on a lindy whatsit grub in about 70 ft. of water, fishing off the bottom. Samsel was one of several fishing and hunting writers hosted by the Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce, South Dakota Department of Tourism and the Super 8 Motel last week. [Submitted Photo]

By Carol Walker

After about five hours on the ice at Pactola Lake Tuesday, Feb. 7, sportsmen and writers, guests of South Dakota Department of Tourism, Deadwood Chamber of Commerce, the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce (HCACC) and Super 8 Motel, did not have to fish for words as they described their experience hauling in trout. They talked about the day’s experience over dinner that evening at Bighorn Crossing, storing up memories and photographs to be put into print later.
The men caught a total of 15 lake trout and one brown trout that day, and Jeff Samsel, a writer from Georgia, had the catch of the day, a keeper.
“It was about 10 pounds and 29 inches long. I caught it on a lindy whatsit grub in about 70 feet of water, fishing off the bottom,” said Samsel. It took him about 20 minutes to land the fish, and expressing it later on his blog, he said, “Day one on the Black Hills ice definitely goes in the books as a success.”
Denise Etzkorn, information specialist for HCACC, said Samsel and the other men were invited in to the area to promote winter sports in the Black Hills, primarily hunting and fishing. Hill City has been a host to many similar groups, promoting tourism in the Black Hills. Mike Faw with the United States Sportsmen Alliance came all the way from Washington, D.C., for the special area promotion, and Nort Johnson of Black Hills Badlands and Lakes joined the group as well.
Later, Johnson said of the event, “The guests were impressed not only by the fishing, but the landscape, amenities and hospitality. As the regional organization, we’re thrilled to see the cooperative efforts come together giving our guests a well-rounded taste of the Black Hills.”
Before coming to the Hill City area, the men had breakfast in Deadwood and then attempted to see Mt. Rushmore, they were thwarted by the fog. After a day of fishing at Pactola on Wednesday they went on to Deerfield Lake, Horsethief Lake, Sylvan Lake and a couple small ponds along the way, catching fish at every stop. Alex Jessen and Tyler French, two local sportsmen, were their guides. In addition to the fishing the guys were able to try their hand at coyote hunting.
“This is a good example of state and local tourism working together on a project like this. We are able to have triple, quadruple the impact,” said Lee Harsted, Deadwood Chamber marketing director, who has been organizing similar events for a few years.
Justin Larson, outdoor media representative for South Dakota Tourism, said, “We look at key markets for tourism and try to invite people associated with corporations, magazines and television shows.”
A professional fisherman, Ted Takasaki was in the group, along with his cameraman Andy Turbek. Teaching fishing seminars and involved with tournaments and television shows, Takasaki travels the world, doing what he loves best. Hailing from Wisconsin, he was inducted into the International Fishing Hall of Fame in the “Legendary Anglers” category.
Producer and host of the Outdoorsmen Adventure Television Series, Gary Howey also came to the area. He hosts “Fly-fishing in the Black Hills” on Fox 44 out of Huron and Sioux Falls. Mark Hicks of Ohio ,author of hunting and fishing books, was on hand as well, taking in the Black Hills outdoor experience, as was Larry Myhre, outdoor editor for the Sioux City Journal, and Ben Ekrem, national director for Cold Snap, a company dealing with ice fishing equipment.
Harstad believes the media hosting event was very successful, and is appreciative of the efforts from partners in Hill City and South Dakota Tourism.
“The trip was an enormous success. Hospitality in Deadwood, Hill City and places in between was first class, and the crew boasted about the welcome they received. Catching a lot of fish helped to round out the trip. The Black Hills are known for many great things, and this trip helped to promote some of the winter activities that aren’t well-known, but should be,” said Harstad.