If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to conduct a successful event like the International Falls Bass Championship.
From its conception and infancy, this community has not only embraced, but held its arms wide open for a big hug, the idea of luring (pun intended) visiting and local anglers to compete in a one-of-kind fishing tournament.
And as the IFBC has grown into an 8 year old, it has evolved into a well-known, highly competitive event that challenges anglers like no other tournament we know of. It pits teams not only against one another for fish weight, but against the features of two distinctly different bodies of water — Rainy River and Rainy Lake. Competitors in this event truly feel their angling skills have been tested and champions carry bragging rights, at least for one year.
Anglers from outside the area are among the best ambassadors for our community because they enjoy the IFBC. They say the community hospitality, warmth and fine fishing brings them back year after year. That kind of word-of-mouth publicity for Borderland simply can’t be bought. And the economic boost brought by visiting and local anglers’ prefishing activities helps support local businesses.
And while the IFBC is about fishing, it’s also about offering our community and its visitors a chance to have a little fun while rooting for their favorite teams. Entertainment is designed to offer something for everyone.
Congratulations to this year’s winners, all anglers, spectators and the many volunteers that helped again make this year’s IFBC a valuable platform from which to showcase Borderland. It has become a source of community pride and deserves our continued support.
