Men’s Spring Fishing Retreat
April 18-21
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This weekend is for serious fishermen with their own boats (or BYO Friend with a boat). Whether you're a bass fisherman like Pastor Eric, a crappie or walleye guy, or a musky fisherman, we invite you to join us for 3 full days of fishing with the guys, plus church at Free Grace United Eldora on Sunday, April 21!
*Registrants will receive an email prior to the weekend with more info about what to pack & what gear to bring.
Hosted by: Pastor Eric Dykstra
Pastor Eric has been passionate about fishing since he was seven, when his grandfather gave him his first cane pole and took him down to the farm pond in Iowa. Over the years he has become proficient at fishing for largemouth & smallmouth bass. Besides his love for Jesus, his wife & kids, it is his favorite thing in life. And he always says, “Remember, the disciples were fishermen. It’s the ONLY Biblical sport!”
Pricing: includes dinner Thursday, breakfast & dinner Friday & Saturday, breakfast Sunday and 3 nights lodging:
$250 for a standard cabin (may include short walk to bathhouse)
$200 for BYO RV or tent
$200 for offsite lodging (includes everything except overnight lodging)
$400 for a lodge room (Includes a private lodge room, bedding, towels, and private bathroom.) Lodge rooms each hold a queen and a twin bed. Lodge Room registrants can add a roommate for an additional $200/each.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18 - CHECK IN AT PLC IS 6:00 PM -7:00 PM at the Pavillion. (please be on time)
- Morning - drive to Iowa. On the way down to Pine Lake Camps in Eldora, Iowa, stop and fish some of our suggested Iowa lakes:
- Silver Lake - Silver Lake, Iowa. (2 hours 12 minutes from Elk River, MN. Easiest way to get there is to take the Diamond Joe's Casino exit off I35 at the Iowa border. Then 5 minutes northwest west to the landing. One hour 30 minutes north of PLC.) Great Bass lake! Super shallow natural lake. Lake only 5 to 6 feet deep. Lures that are productive - jigs, spinner baits, chatter baits, top water.
Clear Lake - Clear Lake, Iowa. (Right off I35. 2.5 hours south of Elk River, MN. 1 hour 12 min north of PLC.) Walleyes, muskies, crappies. Lots of opportunity for nice fish. This is one of the premier Iowa Lakes. It gets a ton of pressure, but the fishing is worth it.
Bluebill Pond - Clear Lake, Iowa. (Right off I35. 2.5 hours south of Elk River, MN. 1 hour 12 min north of PLC.) Best numbers lake I know in Iowa! Small, only 40 acres, no wake, very clear water. Tons of 14-16 inch largemouth. Lures that are productive - Fluke, chatter bait, senko, rattletrap, spinnerbait, jig worm, jerkbaits, swimbaits.
Beeds Lake - Hampton, Iowa. (3 hours south of Elk River, MN - 40 minutes directly north of PLC.) Consistent quality fish. Stained water. Larger fish possible. My home lake. Not a great numbers lake. Suggested tackle: Rapala DT’s, squarebills, jerkbaits, senkos, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, neg rig, jigs, flukes. Top water.
OR just fish Upper and Lower Pine at PLC in Eldora, Iowa:
Upper and Lower Pine Lakes: Largemouth, crappies & walleyes present. Both lakes are trolling motors only. Stained water. Upper 233 acres. Lower 96 acres. Tackle that can be productive - ned rig, fluke, chatterbait, senko, jig, Rapala DT’s, squarebill, spinnerbait, top water.
ITINERARY:
Thursday, April 18
- 6:00pm- 7:00pm - Check-in at PLC (please be on time)
- 7:00pm - Supper in dining hall
- 7:45pm Retreat Orientation in dining hall
- Talk through lake maps & fishing tips.
- Explain our gentleman’s agreement competition.
- Make sure everyone has a boat partner.
8:30 - Bonfire & hang out time.
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
- 7:30am - Breakfast in dining hall & Devotional with Pastor Jason
- 8:00am - Fish all day (Select the lake of your choice - see info at end of the packet.)
- 8:00-8:30am - Camp Store Open (We have a small supply of the tackle that was the most successful lures during lasts year's retreat.)
- Lunch will be on your own
- 7:30pm - Supper (please be on time)
- 8:15pm - Panel discussion (Best tips & tricks for spring bass. Prizes for biggest catch & most caught.)
- 9:00pm - Bonfire & hang out time
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
- 7:30am- Breakfast & Devotional with Pastor Justin
- 8:00am-8:30am - Camp Store Open
- 8:30am - Fish all day (select the lake of your choice)
- Lunch will be on your own
- 7:30pm - Supper (please be on time)
- 8:30pm - Bonfire & hang out time. Fish stories & prizes for biggest catch & most caught.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
- 8:30am - Breakfast & Devotional with Pastor Jason
- 9:00am - PLC Fishing Trophy & Big Bass Awards
- 10:00am - Worship Service at Free Grace United Eldora in PLC chapel (please do not skip out stay for church)
- 11:30am - Head back out on the water for those that have the time or head back home
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