ELK MOUND HIGH FISHING TEAM WINS WHITEFISH OPEN, HEADS TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ON PICKWICK LAKE!!

WHITEFISH OPEN CHAMPIONS COLE STEINHORST, COACH SCOTT WILZCEK, AND BLAZE TODD PROUDLY DISPLAY THEIR TROPHIES AFTER DEFEATING 96 OPPOSING TEAMS IN CROSSLAKE, MN

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​BASS PRO SHOPS HIGH SCHOOL FISHING - WHITEFISH CHAIN OPEN CHAMPIONS!!

In spring of 2017, students, teachers, and parents all got together to form Elk Mound's first bass fishing club. High school fishing teams have been exploding with popularity in the past few years, after so much positivity was generated by the FLW and Bassmasters in the college ranks. These high school tournaments are composed of 2-angler teams, with an adult mentor as a boat driver. Since the schedule only allows a very small season, the anglers must find success immediately in order to move to up to higher competition levels. This season the Elk Mound team only competed in two events. The first event took place in La Crosse, WI May 19th on the Mississippi River.

In the first event, Cole Steinhorst had his typical showing of consistency, dating back to last year. Cole has a habit of finishing in the top half of the standings in every event he fishes, which is extremely tough to do. In that event, he teamed up with his brother Carson and finished in 20th place. His high school buddies Blaze Todd, Marcus Kinblom, James Javanovich, and Reuben Riek all competed as well. All three Elk Mound teams weighed in fish in that tournament, which was ran by the FLW series.

The final event took place June 3rd in Minnesota, with 96 teams competing. Naturally the tournament was full of teams from the Brainerd area with local knowledge and experience. Cole teamed up with Blaze Todd in this event, and with Cole's uncle Scott driving them around, the boys accomplished an unbelievable feat - beating a local team from Brainerd by just TWO ounces and winning the entire event!

This event was extremely challenging, considering the size of the field. The sport of tournament bass fishing is the toughest sport on earth - every other angler is out to get you. Also, fishing success is often associated with "luck." As any tournament angler can explain, there is no time for "luck" in competitive fishing. There are both controllable and non-controllable variables in every event. But the anglers that are consistent and can block out the negative moments and setbacks from controllable variables are the ones that find their way to victory. There is a reason why Kevin Vandam consistently wins at the highest level, and no one comes close to finding success similar to his. Clearly that is not "luck." It is a sport of roller-coaster moments of extremely low moments, and on this day the highest of high moments. Team Todd-Steinhorst will be headed down to Pickwick Lake in Alabama to represent their high school and compete for the honors of National Champions of the Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Series.

CONGRATULATIONS COLE & BLAZE!!!!
BEST OF LUCK ON PICKWICK LAKE!