"This can’t be good,” thought Life Member Tim Rongstad when he pulled the certified letter from his mailbox on a Friday afternoon in February. Deciding that whatever it was could wait, he put it on the counter until after supper. By the time he got to it and saw it was good news from the Club, it was too late to get the details.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he chuckled some time later. “I had to wait all weekend before I could call to make sure there hadn’t been some mistake.”
The letter had notified Rongstad of Woodbury, Minnesota, that he’d won the first annual NAFC Anglers’ Legacy Sweepstakes and would be fishing out of a new G3 Guide V170 powered by a 50-horsepower Yamaha four- stroke this year. On top of that, a $250 Cabela’s gift card would help him stock his tackle box.
Rongstad, a member since 1989, was one of thousands who entered the sweepstakes by taking the Anglers’ Legacy Pledge to introduce at least one non-angler to the sport last year. At the contest’s close, his name was drawn at random from among the entrants.
An elementary school teacher at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, Rongstad has brought fishing to many youngsters. Each year he and fellow teacher Dave Thomforde put on a fishing clinic at a local lake for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. “There are always a few in the group who have never fished,” he says. “We all need to help kids like them get unplugged and get outside.”
Rongstad took possession of his new rig at Hannays Marine in Minneapolis in March, and he couldn’t wait to get on the water. “I like to fish all types of gamefish— bass, walleyes, panfish and especially muskies—and this boat is going to be perfect. My thanks to Anglers’ Legacy, the Club, G3, Yamaha and Cabela’s.”