BRAINERD – If as advertised 20,000 holes had been drilled in Gull Lake on Friday, at least half were occupied Saturday when the 26th Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza began at noon. Equal parts party and lottery-on-ice, the extravaganza each winter attracts anglers both serious and silly, many in outfits, and with intonations, that suggest the event is more a product of the Coen brothers’ imaginations than a fundraiser.

But the event is a charity benefit, and at stake are prizes worth $150,000, including a new Chevrolet or Ford pickup, winner’s choice. “Chevy,” said Dan Volbert of Chaska, when asked which he preferred to take home. Volbert landed on top of the leaderboard at contest’s end, having caught a 5.33 pound walleye on a Rapala Rippin’ Rap.

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