Crappie anglers raise $7,000 in first Rutledge/Garland tournament to benefit stroke victims

The first Ned Rutledge and Bobby Garland Memorial Crappie Tournament generated nearly $7,000 for the National Stroke Association (NSA) through entry fees, drawings, an auction and donations last Saturday on Missouri’s Truman Lake.



The tournament was organized by Betty Rutledge, wife of the late Ned Rutledge, in honor of her husband and also Bobby Garland, who both died as a result of complications from strokes, as a fundraiser for the NSA.

A total of 37 teams participated in the first event that is planned to become an annual activity. The fishing, especially in the upper Grand River arm, was good in spite of the cold front that moved through the night before.



The team of Steve Altis and John Krewson won the event with a total weight of 10.40 pounds for their 7-fish limit. They edged out second place finishers Jim Dant and Donny Zufall, who had 10.16 pounds.



Marty Snider and Jackie Albin finished third with a total weight of 10.10 pounds. Snider also caught the tournament’s big fish, at 1.79 pounds.

Fourth place was Charlie and Kevin Rogers with 9.82 pounds. The Rogers were instrumental in the formation of the fundraising tournament and are the original pro staff team for Bobby Garland crappie baits.

Fifth place was the team of Mark and Clay Huey with a total weight of 9.79 pounds.

All five of the top teams credited Bobby Garland baits with contributing to their catches.

Most used 3” Bobby Garland Slab Slay’Rs, and several said the new “Lights Out” color was their best producer.

Dant and Zufall used Garland’s Minnow Mind’Rs tipped with minnows, a combination for which the Minnow Mind’Rs were designed. Artificial and live baits were allowed.

Many of the anglers donated their prize winnings to NSA, plus other individuals, crappie clubs and companies made donations to the cause. Crappie Masters conducted the weigh in, donating the use of their trailer, equipment and staff for the benefit event.

Gene Larew Lures, the company who acquired the Bobby Garland crappie brand from the Rutledges and manufactures the soft plastic baits, donated $1,000 to the NSA and provided lure packages to the participants.

The official dollar total raised for NSA by the end of the tournament was $6,970, but donations have continued to come in since.

“Thank you to all who helped make this first tournament such a success,” said Betty Rutledge. “Anglers and volunteers went above and beyond in their efforts to help with this benefit for stroke victims. I’m so proud of the crappie angling community, but I’m not surprised because this is such a great and caring group. Thank you so much.”

The tournament is planned again for next fall, but details are not available at this time.