The wind was brisk.  Some would say brutal.  It kept the flag unfurled for hours, unfurled and unfettered in the freedom of winter's spacious sky and unfruited plain.  But the fishermen and firefighters on Stieger Lake remained unflappable.  They had a mission as well as a flag.
It was Sunday, February 9th, when the Victoria Fire Department held its annual ice fishing contest for warm-blooded and stout-hearted folks of the community.  There are many such souls in this city of lakes and parks, and also kindred spirits who visited from outside Victoria.  Their mission is mutual.
But it took more than spirits to keep warm on this flagged day in Victoria.  It took hot chocolate.  It took simmering soup and grilled hamburgers.  Also, a live fire pit for thawing noses and whiskers and fingers.  And a large covered tent to ward against the wind.  It even took bear hugs to keep warm at this "16th annual."
How cold was it now there then?  The day started at minus 11 degrees and inched its way into the low 20's.  The windchill on Stieger Lake wasn't recorded; it was simply felt. 
But there were not complaints from the nearly 500 people in attendance.  Germanic tribes are northlanders, after all, and hibernate is not one of their habits.  They take the coldest season of the year and wrap it around their little finger.  Then they put a hook on the end of it and drop it through a hole in the ice.
Where did the huge flag come from?  The Waconia Fire Department.  When the Victoria Fire Department asked about the possibility of using it, the answer was yes.  It was a patriotic thing to do, on both ends.  Thank you, firefighters, for the big atmosphere.
Most of the visitors arrived on the lake that afternoon by bus, which they picked up in downtown Victoria.  It's getting to be a safety issue.  Gary Sohns, Victoria Fire Chief, said that early in the week they had measured an ice-depth of 17inches.  "We had three buses lined up to move people," he said, "but then we had 19 to 20 inches that day and we thought we could let some people park on the lake."  He said that it's supposed to be safe at 16 inches.
Among others, a very young Victoria firefighter put an extraordinary amount of hours into this year's ice-fishing contest.  His name is Aaron Jurek.  He's the son of Victoria Firefighter Doug Jurek.  His mother is Lynn Jurek.  He said that some of the people on the lake this year came from South America and California.  It seems that just as northerners are often attracted to sunny beaches, southerners sometimes seek ice-fishing contests.
Anyway, Aaron reported there were again so many prizes given away and so many fishing winners and raffle winners.  Just to name a few, Matt Mills won the 1st Place Predator Prize, an ice auger donated by Jeff and Laura Wood of By the Woods of Victoria.  He caught a 1 lb. 8 oz. northern. 
Steven Klomps caught a large crappie and won the 1st Place Panfish Prize, a one-night whirlpool suite donated by the AmericInn of Chanhassen.  There were no sunfish caught this year, said Aaron.
Todd and Erin Riebe of Victoria were big raffle winners of $500 cash donated by Lenzen Chevrolet and Buick of Chaska.  There were other big fishing prizes and raffle prizes.  Maybe a complete list of big winners can appear in the next edition of the Gazette.
In any case, dear folks from near and far, you can see that it was Mission Accomplished -- with stars and stripes for the fishermen and their firefighters.
For much more, return to Home Page, click on Sue's Album and scroll to "A Flag for Fishermen."  It's on-line and in-color!