The Great River Golden Reel Fishing Rodeo

Event Details

Experienced and amateur anglers of all ages are invited to participate in Burlington, Iowa’s most challenging fishing tournament of 2012, The Great River Golden Reel Fishing Rodeo. Scheduled for Saturday August 11th, 2012 on the Mississippi River, this one-day fishing event promises to be an excitement packed and fun-filled day for the participants and spectators. Tournament organizers will be busy over the coming months in preparation for the onslaught of anglers, boats, and spectators descending on the Burlington Riverfront to claim their share of the estimated $10,000 in cash & prizes. The prize structure is designated to spread significant cash awards and prizes in several different categories to maximize the potential for anglers to go home a winner!

The tournament will also be raising funds to aid our local Iraq & Afghanistan veterans who have suffered traumatic injuries. A portion of the tournament proceeds will be donated to English River Outfitters in Washington, Iowa to assist in providing an outdoor recreational retreat, at no cost to our veterans, where they can camp, fish, hunt, hike and enjoy a campfire in an enjoyable relaxing atmosphere. English River Outfitters is a non-profit charitable organization that helps foster a healthy readjustment back to civilian life through a positive outdoor experience. The average stay for a recovering veteran at a Recovery Medical Center is TWO YEARS. That is a long time to be bedridden or confined to a hospital facility, especially for the athletic, adventurous, and outgoing individuals, such as those who serve in the military. The main goal of English River Outfitters is to help the disabled veterans adjust back to as normal a life as can be expected through a positive active, outdoor experience with family, friends, and fellow veterans.

Cash & prizes will be awarded in the categories for Top Boat (Most Pounds Combined) Biggest Catfish, Biggest Bass, Most Pounds Bluegill, and Most Pounds Crappie. Cash & prizes will also be awarded in several other categories to include Senior Angler, Lady Angler and Junior Angler and a “Grand Slam” prize of $250 for the boat that manages to place a fish (1st, 2nd, or 3rd) in all four categories. There will also be a “Toilet Bowl” cash prize of $100 for the boat that comes in dead last! The basic entry fee to enter the tournament is $50 if registered before August 1st or $60 on the day of the tournament. There will also be several additional optional categories available to compete in with cash & prizes awarded in each. Each boat may enter in as many categories as their capabilities allow, increasing their winnings potential. Tournament registration will begin at 6:00am with an Anglers’ Pancake Breakfast and Captain’s Meeting to follow at 7:00am. Fishing times will be from 8:00am -3:00pm.

The goal for organizers is to grow the tournament into an annual major fishing event attracting anglers and spectators throughout the Midwest. By showcasing our river’s fantastic fishing opportunities to anglers throughout the region, tournament organizers hope to see a continual growth of tournament participation in the coming years and an always welcome influx of new visitors to the Burlington and Southeast Iowa areas.
This fishing event is open to the public and all anglers wanting a crack at the estimated $10,000 in cash & prizes along with a sensation of high energy and friendly competition are encouraged to enter. To receive the registration packet, more information or a sponsor package, contact Brad Grace at 319-931-8832, email: goldenreel@windstream.net or visit our website at www.goldenreelfishingrodeo.com.