Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:19 pm from the Bismarck Tribume
[font=arial,helvetica]Family fishing joins Prairie Rose State Games[/font][font=arial,helvetica][/font]
[font=arial,helvetica]If a quiet, noncompetitive pursuit is more to your liking for the upcoming Prairie Rose State Games in Bismarck-Mandan, consider family fishing, a first-time Prairie Rose event.
"It's not competitive. We didn't want difficulties with Game and Fish. If it were a tournament bracket, there are rules and regulations," said Greg Smith, the family fishing commissioner.
All that's up for grabs is bragging rights, Smith added.
Angling families signed up for the event will be allowed to post digital photos of their catches on the Bismarck-Mandan Web site, http://www.bismanonline.com.
The entry fee is $5 per angler for the first three, and a fourth angler is free.
Prairie Rose organizers were approached about adding fishing to the lengthy list of sports offered.
"We did some checking with what else was going on with the Prairie Rose State Games, kicked it around and decided on a noncompetitive, participatory event," Smith said.
"Registering gives you the commitment that you are going fishing, and fishing doesn't have to interrupt any other events that you want to participate in," Smith said.
Hours certainly are flexible. Families may start fishing at 12:01 a.m. July 14, and fishing closes at 3 p.m. July 16. All inland waters in Burleigh and Morton counties, including the Missouri River adjacent to either county, are open for fishing. Of course, all regulations in the 2006-08 North Dakota Fishing Guide apply.
"We're sitting right here on the Missouri River, and Morton County has plenty of small lakes. There are some in Burleigh that can be fished. You can make a morning trip," Smith said.
The first 100 anglers to sign up will receive a small tackle box, courtesy of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
That's in addition to the sports bag that's being given away to the first 5,000 people who register for a Prairie Rose sport and the T-shirt that goes to all participants.
"It's almost getting paid to go fishing," said Sarah Mielke, the event specialist with the Bismarck Parks and Recreation Department who is overseeing this year's games.
Throw in the $1,000 grand prize package, as well as the six $500 prize packages being given away at the Prairie Rose State Games Opening Ceremonies, and it adds up to a "lot of reasons" to go fishing that weekend, Smith said.
Anglers of all ages may participate. The deadline to register is Monday.
Booklets and information are available at the Prairie Rose State Games headquarters in the northwest end of Kirkwood Mall. Forms and information also are available on the Web at http://www.prairierose.org.
Smith, who enjoys wetting a fishing line, doubts he will have time to participate in family fishing.
"I wish I could go fishing, but I run the park operations division (for Bismarck Parks and Recreation), and I'm the sports commissioner. I don't think I will have time for fishing," he said.
Then again, he wondered if, maybe, he could slip in some late night or predawn fishing.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica]Family fishing joins Prairie Rose State Games[/font][font=arial,helvetica][/font]
[font=arial,helvetica]If a quiet, noncompetitive pursuit is more to your liking for the upcoming Prairie Rose State Games in Bismarck-Mandan, consider family fishing, a first-time Prairie Rose event.
"It's not competitive. We didn't want difficulties with Game and Fish. If it were a tournament bracket, there are rules and regulations," said Greg Smith, the family fishing commissioner.
All that's up for grabs is bragging rights, Smith added.
Angling families signed up for the event will be allowed to post digital photos of their catches on the Bismarck-Mandan Web site, http://www.bismanonline.com.
The entry fee is $5 per angler for the first three, and a fourth angler is free.
Prairie Rose organizers were approached about adding fishing to the lengthy list of sports offered.
"We did some checking with what else was going on with the Prairie Rose State Games, kicked it around and decided on a noncompetitive, participatory event," Smith said.
"Registering gives you the commitment that you are going fishing, and fishing doesn't have to interrupt any other events that you want to participate in," Smith said.
Hours certainly are flexible. Families may start fishing at 12:01 a.m. July 14, and fishing closes at 3 p.m. July 16. All inland waters in Burleigh and Morton counties, including the Missouri River adjacent to either county, are open for fishing. Of course, all regulations in the 2006-08 North Dakota Fishing Guide apply.
"We're sitting right here on the Missouri River, and Morton County has plenty of small lakes. There are some in Burleigh that can be fished. You can make a morning trip," Smith said.
The first 100 anglers to sign up will receive a small tackle box, courtesy of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
That's in addition to the sports bag that's being given away to the first 5,000 people who register for a Prairie Rose sport and the T-shirt that goes to all participants.
"It's almost getting paid to go fishing," said Sarah Mielke, the event specialist with the Bismarck Parks and Recreation Department who is overseeing this year's games.
Throw in the $1,000 grand prize package, as well as the six $500 prize packages being given away at the Prairie Rose State Games Opening Ceremonies, and it adds up to a "lot of reasons" to go fishing that weekend, Smith said.
Anglers of all ages may participate. The deadline to register is Monday.
Booklets and information are available at the Prairie Rose State Games headquarters in the northwest end of Kirkwood Mall. Forms and information also are available on the Web at http://www.prairierose.org.
Smith, who enjoys wetting a fishing line, doubts he will have time to participate in family fishing.
"I wish I could go fishing, but I run the park operations division (for Bismarck Parks and Recreation), and I'm the sports commissioner. I don't think I will have time for fishing," he said.
Then again, he wondered if, maybe, he could slip in some late night or predawn fishing.[/font]