Angler Support Needed for Smith Benefit Tournament Set for July 8

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Published: 23 June 2023

By Louie Stout

Jordan Smith's Son

Tournament bass fishermen are good about coming together to help out a fellow angler in need.

That’s why a group is rallying around fellow angler Jordan Smith whose new-born son came several weeks early. Smith's son has been hospitalized in Indianapolis with heart complications for more than a week and will likely be there much longer.

A benefit tournament will be held July 8 at Diamond Lake from 6 a.m. to noon and registration begins at 4:30 a.m. Entry fee is $100 and 50 percent of the proceeds will go straight to the family. There also will be a $10 big bass pot and $5 biggest rock bass pot. Payouts will go to the top three and there will be a 50/50 drawing. Hotdogs will be available after the weigh-in. Donations will be accepted.

In addition there will be drawings for several tackle prizes including a $160 hand-painted Floyd Wolkins swimbait.

Tournament organizers Izaak Wetzel (269-625-6482) and Cody Brown (269-689-5588) urge teams to contact one of them in advance to confirm your participation so they can get a handle on number of contestants. It is hoped that the tournament will draw a big turnout and raise a lot of money for a young family that is going through some really difficult times.

DNR says Fish Kills may be More Common during Summer Heat; Weed Treatments Can Be a Factor

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Published: 09 June 2023

MDNR Report

Fish Kill

With increasing temperatures across Michigan, anglers, boaters and lakefront property owners may discover dead fish or other aquatic animals. While such sights can be startling, the Michigan DNR reminds everyone that it is common — summer heat conditions can cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish to die.

“The majority of summer fish kills are due to low oxygen in the water, a natural phenomenon associated with weather,” said Jeremiah Blaauw, DNR fisheries biologist. “However, some other factors such as chemical treatments of aquatic plants and algae can increase the risk of a fish kill.”

Environmental conditions strongly affect the stress level of fish; temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations are key variables. Fish need oxygen just as humans do, but fish absorb dissolved oxygen (oxygen gas that is dissolved in water) directly through their gills into the bloodstream. 

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