The flags were flying and the rods were bending on Saturday, June 6, as 42 two-woman teams took to the Rainy River for the 13th Annual Girls Gone Fishing tournament, hosted out of River Bend Resort on the banks of the river leading into Lake of the Woods. This year’s theme — Party in the USA — brought red, white, and blue costumes, plenty of patriotic flair, and the kind of friendly competition that has made this ladies-only event a can’t-miss tradition on the first Saturday of every June.
The weather cooperated beautifully, and so did the fish. Across the fleet, anglers landed 211 fish for a combined weight of 221.56 pounds, capped by a 28.5-inch walleye that took top honors as the largest fish of the day.
A Tradition Built on Fun
River Bend Resort owners Paul and Brandi Johnson have hosted the tournament every year, and Paul is quick to credit his wife with the spark behind it all.
“Brandi is really the one who came up with this idea,” Paul Johnson said. “It has been 13 years of evolution to find the right elements of themed fun that combine competition with costumes to create a great event, and each year seems to be better.”
The format keeps the focus squarely on the women. Men are welcome to guide and drive the boat, but the competing anglers have to bait their own hooks, catch the fish, and net their catch themselves. Teams have plenty of options for getting on the water — multiple teams can share a single boat, some hire local guides, and others join up on a charter. However they choose to fish, the intent stays the same: celebrate women on the water and have a great time along the way.
Top of the Leaderboard
Leading the pack this year was Eye Candy, anglers Diane Scott and Ashlee Just with guide Tom Huynh, who brought in 13.69 pounds and also claimed the Big Fish award with a 7.33-pound walleye — that 28.5-inch beauty.
Right behind them, Double Trouble (Jessica Weiss and Marisha Mollberg, guided by David Weiss) took second with 9.4 pounds, and Liberty’s Catch (Katie Machayya and Sunny Halloran, guided by Mike Hamberg) rounded out the podium with 9.23 pounds.
Full Results
| Place | Team | Anglers | Guide | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eye Candy | Diane Scott, Ashlee Just | Tom Huynh | 13.69 lbs (Big Fish 7.33) |
| 2 | Double Trouble | Jessica Weiss, Marisha Mollberg | David Weiss | 9.4 lbs |
| 3 | Liberty’s Catch | Katie Machayya, Sunny Halloran | Mike Hamberg | 9.23 lbs |
| 4 | Liberty Belles | Sarah Greene, Mary Phillipe | Aaron Phillipe | 8.44 lbs |
| 5 | WWF | Carol Hammer, Linda Anderson | Lynn Hammer | 7.51 lbs |
| 6 | Sara’s Cashaways | Jodi Heaton, Tammy Cole | Pete Geroy | 7.40 lbs |
| 7 | Freedom Filet Flingers | Jenny Habiger, Alexius Maruska | Noah Habiger, Al Thompson | 7.19 lbs |
| 8 | Pelland Sisters | Matti Nelson, Magen Pelland | Jake Westerlund | 6.98 lbs |
| 9 | Twisted Sisters | Makenzie Hancharyk, Darian Dahl | PT Medved | 6.92 lbs |
| 10 | Chaos Queens | Amy Olson, Kayla Gonshorowski | Deric Ericson | 6.39 lbs |
| 11 | The Founding Lady Anglers | Cate Trihey, Corinne Dahl | Blake Huwe | 6.35 lbs |
| 12 | Higginbergers | Shannon Grawberger, Elaina Higgins | Jake Duick | 6.33 lbs |
| 13 | Hell Yeah Brothers | Jammie Armstrong, Aimee Borg | Beau Duick | 6.29 lbs |
| 14 | Wouldn’t You Like To Know | Larae Kovar, Dena Faith | Mike Flath | 6.22 lbs |
| 15 | Old Beer Drinking Babes from Birchdale | Tammy Hatley, Donna Peterson | Johnny Brown | 6.16 lbs |
| 16 | Big Fish Energy | Emily Brandt, Sarena Gausen | Andy Brandt | 6.11 lbs |
| 17 | The Fin Fatales | Jade Johnston, Alissa Smith | Evan Smith | 5.89 lbs |
| 18 | OG Sisters | Jody Johnson, Cara Brekke | Glenn Voytilla | 5.81 lbs |
| 19 | Pushing Limit | Janelle Corbit, Nikki Williams | Jamey Corbit | 5.77 lbs |
| 20 | Walleye Wranglers Anonymous | Traci Dengerud, Samantha Ecklund | Kent Ludtke | 5.45 lbs |
| 21 | Sink the Pink | Sarah Monk, Jena Theis | Marshal Monk | 5.09 lbs |
| 22 | Reel Rod Teasers | Shawn Swenson, Ashley Anderson | Trent Beito | 5.03 lbs |
| 23 | Bubbs’s Bouncin’ Bouys | Nancy Schulz, Melissa Bell | Jerry Schulz | 5.02 lbs |
| 24 | Tig Bitties | Savanna Slick, Morgan Linder | Ryan Donat | 5.01 lbs |
| 25 | Handy Mandy’s | Mandy Wiering, Manda Shongo | Mike Cox | 4.56 lbs |
| 26 | Lady Liberty | Nicky McCourt, Jenelle Rogers | Ron Rockis | 4.39 lbs |
| 27 | Adventure Girls | Maria Byars, Crystal Cauble | Tony Brist | 4.22 lbs |
| 28 | Reel Deal Duo | Lynel Svir, Madison Svir | Brad Svir | 3.95 lbs |
| 29 | Reel Divas | Linda Martin, Jade Whalen | John Dickelman | 3.87 lbs |
| 30 | American Hookers Gone Wild | Lynelle Monsrud, Brittany Heppner | Brian Gregerson | 3.86 lbs |
| 31 | Reel American Sisters | Nicole Gate, Kristi Bowman | Glenn Voytilla | 3.62 lbs |
| 32 | Reel Tease | Kerista Bjork, Marissa Johnson | Scott Viskoe | 3.54 lbs |
| 33 | Fishing Fish Girls | April Stavig, Paige Brandt | Al Fish | 3.51 lbs |
| 34 | Reel Crazy | Sandi Moberg, Kendra Fahlhaber | Al Moberg | 3.32 lbs |
| 35 | Star Spangled Hammer | Tara Nelson, Kendal Martell | Jeremy Nelson, Ethan Nelson | 3.29 lbs |
| 36 | United We Reel | Patty Rockis, Cassandra Rockis | Ron Rockis | 3.27 lbs |
| 37 | Liberty Ladies | Mary Ann Olafson, Diane Gregerson | Brian Gregerson | 3.18 lbs |
| 38 | Reel Starz | Marsha Janisch, Carie Skoglund | Troy Janisch | 3.12 lbs |
| 39 | Roosevelt Rod Benders | Sherri Nelson, Donna Pederson | Gary Spina | 2.88 lbs |
| 40 | Net Fish & Chill | Rebecca Bies, Mikayla Poegel (Olander) | Rebecca Bies | 2.04 lbs |
| 41 | North Country Clean Up | Holly Wolf, Dani Gunderson | Brandon Gunderson | 1.28 lbs |
| 42 | Rod Handlers | Caitlin Hadrava, Rileigh Hughes | Zach Reige | 0.00 lbs |
Looking Ahead to 2027
The party isn’t over — it’s just getting started on next year’s theme. The 14th Annual Girls Gone Fishing will take place Saturday, June 5, 2027, with a Roaring 20’s theme that’s sure to bring out the flapper dresses, feather boas, and a whole new round of creative costumes.
All two-woman teams are welcome, with or without a guide. Whether you’re a seasoned tournament angler or simply looking for a fun day on the Rainy River with a friend, there’s a spot for you. Start planning your team — and your outfits — now.
Need a guide? If you don’t have one, no worries. The area is full of great guides who would love to be involved. Contact your favorite Lake of the Woods resort of simply give River Bend Resort a buzz.
To learn more about River Bend Resort and the tournament, visit riverbendresort.com.
