Catch 4 Colbenson Tournament brings out the sun and the stars

On a day with weather straight from heaven, the Catch 4 Colbenson Ice Fishing Tournament on Saturday drew a big crowd to the ice on Clear Lake at Schroeder Park for a day warmed by sunshine and temperatures well above freezing.
Included in an estimated crowd of 4,000 was former Minnesota Twins star first baseman Kent Hrbek, who made a surprise appearance at a tournament dedicated to the memory of a Maple Lake man who lost his life in a plane crash last August. 
Jeff Colbenson, 34, of Maple Lake, died in an August 22 plane crash that also killed his friend, Brett Johnson, 32, of Becker. The friends had taken off from a grass airstrip in a 1988 Christen Eagle II Bi-Plane piloted by Johnson and crashed in Clearwater Township when the plane lost power.
Colbenson died less than a week before his planned wedding to fiancee Beth Blizil of Maple Lake, the mother of his toddler son, Carter. Colbenson was the son of Greg and Gloria Colbenson of Monticello. Johnson is survived by his wife, Erica, and his son, Aleck. 
The Colbenson, Blizil and Johnson families were all out on the ice on Saturday for an event that inspired many moments of both laughter and tears at the Catch 4 Colbenson event intended to benefit Beth and Carter Colbenson.
The tournament began with a presentation of a cross to the fami
On a day with weather straight from heaven, the Catch 4 Colbenson Ice Fishing Tournament on Saturday drew a big crowd to the ice on Clear Lake at Schroeder Park for a day warmed by sunshine and temperatures well above freezing.
Included in an estimated crowd of 4,000 was former Minnesota Twins star first baseman Kent Hrbek, who made a surprise appearance at a tournament dedicated to the memory of a Maple Lake man who lost his life in a plane crash last August. 
Jeff Colbenson, 34, of Maple Lake, died in an August 22 plane crash that also killed his friend, Brett Johnson, 32, of Becker. The friends had taken off from a grass airstrip in a 1988 Christen Eagle II Bi-Plane piloted by Johnson and crashed in Clearwater Township when the plane lost power.
Colbenson died less than a week before his planned wedding to fiancee Beth Blizil of Maple Lake, the mother of his toddler son, Carter. Colbenson was the son of Greg and Gloria Colbenson of Monticello. Johnson is survived by his wife, Erica, and his son, Aleck. 
The Colbenson, Blizil and Johnson families were all out on the ice on Saturday for an event that inspired many moments of both laughter and tears at the Catch 4 Colbenson event intended to benefit Beth and Carter Colbenson.
The tournament began with a presentation of a cross to the families of the two young men who died in the August plane crash. The cross was made out of pieces of Johnson’s plane by Boy Scouts who are establishing a memorial site on the Chris Mooney property where the crash occurred. 
Bill Eccless, a family friend, was the tournament emcee and began with some words for the guest of honor.
“I know I speak for everyone when I say we miss you, Jeff, and we know you are here.”
Another poignant moment came when it was time to start the tournament. A shotgun owned by Matt Steffens, a friend of Jeff and Brett who was killed several years ago in a motorcycle crash, was fired by Greg Colbenson to signal the start of fishing. Beth’s dad, Kip Blizil, fired the same shotgun to end the tournament. 
The date of the tournament on Feb. 12 and the awarding of the grand prize of a fish house for the 12th largest fish caught was also significant. Beth said she and Jeff were engaged on the 12th of the month and that number was also a perfect split between their birthdays on the 8th and 16th.
The tournament was coordinated for Beth and Carter by friends and family members with several raffles, more than 200 door prizes and silent and live auctions later in the day at the Maple Lake American Legion Club. 
In addition, the grand prize 6.5’ by 16’ fish house for the 12th largest fish was built by Jeff and Beth’s family and friends. 
Before the awarding of prizes, Beth said the day of events went far beyond anything she could have imagined and thanked all involved for a day to remember.
“I love being from a small town,” she said. “I love being from this community. Thank you all so much.”
Scott Adickes of Annandale won the grand prize fish house with a 1.34 lb. northern.
Winner of the raffle prize drawing was Ellen Griffith of Avon, who received a $1,000 gift card from Cabela’s.
Winners of the cash raffle were: $300, Kelly Johnson; $500, Rick Heberling; $1,000, Renee Ruff.
More than 120 fish were registered for the tournament. The largest fish was caught by Ben Goelz who hauled in a 4.44 lb. northern to win an Otter Fish House. Paul Niedzielski was in second with a 3.42 lb. northern and won a stay at Red Lake. Steve Logeaus was third with a 3.28 lb. northern and received an ice auger. 
Curt Alm took the top three spots for the biggest pan fish and Goelz with his northern had the largest game fish. 
Other tourney prizes include: Biggest Game Fish–1st Place, an Otter Fish House; 2nd Place, a Red Lake Stay; 3rd Place, an ice auger; and Biggest Pan Fish, an ice auger.
Tournament results are as follows: 1. Ben Goelz, northern, 4.44 lbs.; 2. Paul Niedzielski, northern, 3.42; 3. Steve Logeaus, northern, 3.28 lbs.; 4. Chad Driver, northern, 2.37 lbs.; 5. Orville Paumen, bass, 2.23 lbs.; 6. Deb Geyen, northern, 2.05 lbs.; 7. Andy Corbin, walleye, 1.73 lbs.; 8. Mike Ahlm, northern, 1.60 lbs.; 9. LeAnne Adickes, northern, 1.58 lbs.; 10. LeAnne Adickes, northern, 1.58 lbs.; 11. Todd Raskaft, northern, 1.54 lbs.; 12. Scott Adickes, northern, 1.34 lbs.; 13. Scott Adickes, bass, 0.80 lbs.

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