The fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), a native moth of North America, is commonly found across Iowa during late summer and early fall.

“We expect higher populations of fall webworm south of Interstate 80,” explained Tivon Feeley, Iowa DNR Forest Health forester.

EMMETSBURG — West Fork Wildlife Area in Palo Alto County was developed after the historic flood of 1993, then expanded after the floods of 2018 and 2019 as landowners exited the floodplain.

The fall season is a time for trophy fish. In fact, fall is a good time for fish in general. Fish of all sizes go on the bite as the water starts to cool and the days get shorter. They instinctively know that, in many areas, their metabolism is going to slow down and they won't be chasing food like they have been for the past several months.

At this point, a tip of the hat goes out to all those who have been part of the effort to address the discovery of Eurasian watermilfoil in the canals on West Okoboji. Yes, the battle continues in the fight against Eurasian watermilfoil continues. The latest effort took place on the canals of West Lake Okoboji on Tuesday, Sept. 19. In visiting with Mike Hawkins, fisheries biologist, treatment consisted of using a fast-acting herbicide called ProcellaCOR.

Spencer dropped to 0-5 in the volleyball team’s historical matchups with Newell Fonda Tuesday night in the field house. The Tigers dropped to 7-10 overall following the nonconference sweep by the Mustangs, 25-17, 25-6, 25-15.

“We struggled to get things going against Newell Fonda, they are a tough team that blocks and hits well,” said Tara Hauschen, Spencer head volleyball coach. “We had some great moments and did some great things but just not enough to get a win.”

SANBORN — The short-handed Sioux Central boys earned a first place finish at the Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Invite Monday evening, use a five-man contingent to best the home team by five points in a close race, 40-45, as the top two teams pulled away from Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn/Remsen Union and George-Little Rock. Three top 10 finishes by Lucos Wernimont, Leighton Sippel and Joshua Hoffman paced the Rebels performance, running third, fifth and eighth.

The Iowa Lakes Lakers took on some stiff competition over the weekend.

They took a set off of Dakota State University and lost to Bismarck State College, North Dakota College of Science and Minnesota State Community and Technical College in three straight.

ILCC, now 1-19 on the season, is down a key contributor as a result of Kenzie Lee’s injury, which gave others a great opportunity to earn some playing time and show how they can compete against other teams.

Tucked in to the southern end of the Loess Hills, within eyeshot of I-29 and nearly adjacent to Forney Lake, is the Green Hollow and Blackburn wildlife areas and state park complex in northwest Fremont County.

While not far off the interstate, actually finding the complex has a little “am I going the right way?” feel to it.

As I spent three hours last Thursday evening at the Howard K. Vincent Waterfowl Production Area Dedication, I felt a sense of immense satisfaction that this huge project included so many groups and individuals that had all come together for this one special evening celebration.

I observed folks from all walks of life come together for something that will positively impact the entire area.

Autumn is in the air. The geese are honking, and the leaves are changing to brighter colors. And trophy anglers are getting excited. They know that the fall months offer several good reasons to go fishing.

The mid-August Okoboji Blue Water Festival was both an opportunity to share the clean water successes occurring in the Iowa Great Lakes area, and the chance to educate people about all the work still needed because, as OBWF co-chair Greg Drees says, “We must all remember that our cherished way of life depends on clean water: healthy ecosystems provide wildlife habitat and places to fish, paddle, surf and swim.

A kickoff return by Eli Hookfin and a late game fumble recovery in the end zone by Jack Berends accounted for all of Spencer’s point production in a 35-14 loss to the Sioux Center Warriors in both teams final nondistrict game of the year. The Tigers afforded the visitors excellent field position in the first half where they did all their damage, taking full advantage of three turnovers — marking the fourth straight week with three giveaways.

FORT DODGE — Brooklyn Ferguson’s first place finish in the 50-yard freestyle and contributions in three second place relay events aided Spencer’s girls swim team to 400 points and a third place finish at the Gary Winkler Invitational, hosted by Fort Dodge, Saturday.

EAGLE GROVE — Sioux Central survived a back-and-forth first half battle against winless Eagle Grove on the road Friday night to open the district season with a 44-26 victory. Leading just 16-14 at the the half — a difference determined by a failed Eagles two-point conversion attempt — Sioux Central would produce four unanswered second scores after falling behind 20-16 in the third quarter.

The Battle of the Blue Ribbon

Tuesday, Sept. 12 — Clay County Fair Speedway

ASCS SPRINT CARS