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“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 5
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
(USPS 482-240)
May 12, 2016
Catching the big fish
Binsfeld enjoys the river challenge
It was a cold and rainy November day when Binsfeld Ànally set the hook, but before he could reel the Muskie in, Binsfeld’s line broke above the bobber. “I was devastated,” said Binsfeld. “With a 20 inch sucker minnow and hook, I was convinced the Àsh would die from choking. I couldn’t even sleep. It was heartbreaking to think the Àsh would die.” But it didn’t. Knowing his bobber was still attached, Binsfeld went out the very next morning. “Amazingly, I found my bobber a half mile away from where I’d been Àshing. The Àsh was still on, so I snagged my line and pulled him up by hand. It was probably the craziest month of my life chasing that Àsh,” he said. Growing up on Little Rock Lake, Binsfeld’s made
Àshing his livelihood and the lake, channel and Mississippi River his second home. “’How much do I Àsh?’” Binsfeld chuckled when asked. “I probably Àsh three or four days a week and every other weekend. I Àsh more by NATASHA BARBER than most people.” STAFF WRITER He was introduced to Àshing at a young age from his RICE — If there’s one grandfathers and dad. When man making a splash in the he was around three years old, waters surrounding Rice, they started taking him offNoah Binsfeld is it. shore Àshing to a place called The owner of Get the Net the “wet hole.” Guide Service and Tackle “That’s where I learned caught his biggest Àsh last how to Àsh. We always Àshed fall. for Northern [pike] with suck“The Muskie was close er minnows and bobbers,” to 50 pounds,” said Binsfeld. Binsfeld said. “If Grandpa “One day he came up, chased Benno was heading to the rivmy lure and showed himself.” er, he’d stop, pick me up and Binsfeld continued going take me along. They wouldn’t back, chasing the sly Àsh for only teach me where to Àsh, about a month. Both his friend but why they Àshed those and he hooked the monster, spots.” but the Àsh always got away. As Binsfeld grew older, his love for the sport grew with him. He expanded his Àshing to different bodies of water and began Àshing for more elusive catch. He used the information his elders taught him about Àshing and compared sites to build his knowledge. Binsfeld began guiding others for small mouth bass and Muskie nearly a decade ago in lakes such as Alexander and Shamineau, but something always drew him back to the mighty Mississippi. “It has a special place in my heart. It’s where I learned how to Àsh,” he said. “The river is just different. You don’t have all the boat trafÀc, pontoons and Jet Skis like some populated lakes. I prefer the seclusion of the river.” The more Binsfeld Àshed PHOTO SUBMITTED the river, the more he fell in Noah Binsfeld holds two sunÀsh he caught on the Mississippi love with its challenges and River. exploring its secrets. He de-
Repairs switch water supplies SAUK RAPIDS — The city of Sauk Rapids will be switching entirely to the chloramine water system beginning May 10 while maintenance and repairs are completed this spring. Currently, the city has two water systems—one free of chlorine and the other chlo-
ramine. Most residents should not be impacted by the switching of water supply sources, but those with Àsh tanks or using home kidney dialysis units are advised to visit the city’s website www.ci.saukrapids.mn.us for further information and guidance. The switching of water supplies is
Davis convicted of sex-trafficking ST. CLOUD—A Sauk According to criminal Rapids man was sentenced complaint, undercover ofto 27 years in prison last Àcers met a woman through week for sex trafÀcking. Is- an escort ad last July who rael Davis was convicted on agreed to provide informaten counts of sex trafÀcking tion which led them to Dacharges in Stearns Coun- vis. Davis recruited women ty District and convinced Court. them to engage “We are in numerous acts pleased at of prostitution. the sentence He assaulted one pronounced woman on at least by the court one occasion and today and regularly provided commend the alcohol and drugs bravery of while taking the the women majority of the who testimoney made. Àed at trial,” This case said Stearns was the result of County Atan investigation Israel Davis torney Janelle conducted by the P. Kendall. “We are com- Central Minnesota Sex Trafmitted to working with law Àcking Task Force, the Cenenforcement to aggressively tral Minnesota Violent Ofprosecute those who prey fender Task Force, the Waite upon the vulnerable in our Park Police Department, the community for Ànancial Sartell Police Department, gain and hold them account- and the Saint Cloud Police able for their actions.” Department.
expected to last approximately six weeks. The community will be notiÀed when supply systems are returned to normal. For questions, please call the Sauk Rapids Utility Department at 30-258-5318.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Noah Binsfeld (left) and his grandpa, Robert Jost, showcase their photo-worthy Muski. Binsfeld learned to Àsh from his grandpas and his dad on the banks of Little Rock Lake and the Mississippi River.
veloped his own lures speciÀcally for Àshing the river’s waters and now guides Mississippi tours north to Grand Rapids and south to Monticello. “The river changes every year. Water levels are always different and the Àsh need to adjust to them. I can’t go out there opening day every year and expect the same thing I’d be able to on a lake. That’s what makes it fun,” the Àsherman said. “Some years the ice wipes out sand bars or bottoms. It’s constantly changing and the Àsh need to adjust before they can focus on eating.” Get the Net’s customers
are looking for a challenge more than anything. Many of the people Binsfeld guides, have Àshed Muskie over and over on the same lakes and rock piles. The river gives them a new contest because not only is the river changing, but the Muskie population within the Mississippi is low and completely catch and release. Binsfeld said in order to become good at Àshing, it helps to keep a log book. “You always have to learn. I keep records of everything from weather, barometer, temperature, water levels and more. If I’m having a
tough year, I can go back and adjust. If you keep track of what you’re doing, it will pay off in the long run,” Binsfeld said. But Binsfeld also knows that Àshing isn’t always about science, it’s about having fun—something his grandpas and dad taught him. “They always said it’s not a competition,” said Binsfeld. “It was about having fun and enjoying the river. If you’re not having fun, you’re probably not going to catch Àsh. The more you enjoy yourself, the better the day goes even if you don’t get them on your line.”
Four hurt from broadside crash RICE — Four people were injured as the result of a two-vehicle crash Sunday. The accident happened shortly before 5 p.m. when a vehicle driven eastbound by Scott Schumacher, 49 of
Detroit Lakes, failed to yield crossing Highway 10. His vehicle was struck broadside by another vehicle driven by Kelly Rajkowski, 41, of Sartell. Schumacher and his pas-
senger, 18-year-old Sarah Schumacher, along with Rajkowksi and her passenger Susan Frank, 69, of St. Joseph all suffered non-lifethreatening injuries. Three other passengers were not
A Lucky Place
Stray cat inspires no-kill cat shelter by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Jan Hansmeier was on her way home from a friends’ house when she saw Lucky lying in the middle of the road. “As I drove by, I saw the damage to his face and him trying to sit up as I looked in my rearview mirror,” Hansmeier said. “I swerved off to the side and went out to get him. That’s the beginning of the story.” Once she picked Lucky up, Hansmeier knew she had to take him to the vet. The estimate for Lucky’s surgery was something Hansmeier and her husband, Gordon, had to think about. “I told them I had to talk to my husband about the surgery and they said ‘well, he’s probably just a stray, so maybe he’s not worth it.’ That struck a chord and has stuck with me about everything,” Hansmeier said.
Rescuing Lucky in 2004 was just the Àrst step to his story. That same year, Lucky’s Place was incorporated and they bought their farm in 2006. Lucky’s Place is a nokill cat shelter and shortly after buying the property, they started rescuing cats. “No-kill cat shelters aren’t as common as people think, not as common as nokill dog shelters,” Hansmeier said. “We are the only no-kill shelter in this area.” Hansmeier credits Lucky for starting the whole idea, but once the idea got going, Hansmeier knew it was worth continuing. “We are doing this for the cats, because of the need. We cater to the least adoptable cats and take in referrals from other rescues, particularly for cats that are feline leukemia positive or FIV positive or have behavioral issues,” Hansmeier said. “We don’t euthanize for any reason.
PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Jan Hansmeier recalls the day she rescued her cat, Lucky, from the roadway and how he fueled her passion of starting Lucky’s Place No-kill cat shelter.
These cats will have a home life and that shows through at here as long as they need it.” Hansmeier Hansmeier respects all
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