I called Tony Boshold this afternoon about the U.S. Ice Team taking gold on Sunday and busted out laughing when he gloated at the end about a Russian expected to challenge for gold busting out.
Yes, if you haven't heard, the U.S. pulled the improbable.
The U.S Ice Team took home gold on home ice at the two-day World Ice Fishing Championship on Boom Lake in Rhinelander, Wis. on Sunday.
``Homefield advantage,'' said Boshold, the Carol Stream man who fished the toughest sector on Saturday. ``[Visiting national teams] are not familiar with the suspended crappie bite.''
The U.S., captained by Mike McNett of Lombard, scored 39 points to easily beat Poland (54). Russia was third. Scoring is by rankings (1 for first, 2 for second, and so on) in sectors. Fishing was not for gamefish, but for crappie, bluegill and perch, species Europeans were not familiar with fishing.
The homefield advantage was boosted by a hometown guide, Brian Gaber of Electronic Guide Service. The Rhinelander man pointed U.S. team members to virtually every piece of cover in the lake.
Mike Boedeker of Lansing, Mich. earned individual gold. Bob Esbensen of Palatine took Boshold's place in Sunday's action.
``I am still reeling from it,'' Boshold said Tuesday. ``I had to pinch myself a few times. It is beautiful, quite a surreal experience.''
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