Cheyenne River spring fishing tournament starts 3/20

EAGLE BUTTE, SD – The 2025 Cheyenne River spring fishing tournament starts at sunup on Thursday, March 20, and continues through sundown on Thursday, June 19, according to information provided by Jacob, Duane, and Davey West, tournament officials and founders. “The goal of the tournament is to give back to the community and provide an opportunity for building positive memories to last a lifetime,” says Davey West.

One adult division winner (age 18+) and one youth division winner (age 17 and younger) will be named in the 3 categories of largest northern pike, largest bass, and largest catfish, for a total of six cash prizes. It’s “winner take all” for the 6 cash prizes, one prize in each category and division. These six winners will also have “bragging rights” for the next year.

Bonus prizes will be awarded along with the cash prizes at a special gathering where winners in each category will be announced. As the date, time, and location of the awards gathering are confirmed, details will be published in the West River Eagle.

All rules apply for the categories and divisions. There is no entry fee for the tournament. Competitors must have a current 2025 CRST fishing license, available for free from the Eagle Butte Office of Game, Fish, and Parks.

Competitors do not have to be residents of the Cheyenne River Reservation but all qualifying catch must be caught withing the boundaries of the reservation. The tournament is intended for shore fishing only.

This year two local families, the Shaving family honoring Jaden Shaving, and the Payne family honoring Steve Payne, have stepped up to co-sponsor the tournament along with the Mike family honoring Lennick Mike and Eric Cook.  The co-sponsorships have made it possible for the cash prize purses to be enhanced while memorializing beloved relatives who have returned to Spirit. All relatives being honored enjoyed being outdoors creating good memories.

Tournament fishermen and fisherwomen must contact one of the West brothers to have their catch weighed and documented. Call Jacob West at 605.220.2993, call Duane West at 605.220.2886, or call Davey West at 605.220.9149. The three have calibrated their weigh-in scales so there is no advantage or disadvantage to having one or the other weigh the catch.

Duane West says that in past years when he was called to weigh a catch, tournament participants were excited and enthusiastic about their fishing experience and eager to tell the story of the particular catch. He also says he has great memories of fishing with his son Davyn, who returned to Spirit in 2022.

The three West brothers grew up depending on one another for emotional and practical support. They say this fishing tournament is a way to encourage positivity, especially positive family memories. It encourages families to get out of the house and away from electronic distractions, enjoy nature, and perhaps even experience a “natural high” from the thrill of catching a big one.

Collectively the three brothers have 10 offspring. They see events like the fishing tournament as a way to break the cycle of childhood trauma and neglect. They are committed to doing positive things for and with their children that their parents were not able to do for them. They see family fishing as a great self-esteem builder for both adults and children.

 

When they first organized the tournament in 2018, they say they each “scrounged around” in their own pockets to find the money to get it going. No one in the West family has ever received any financial reward from the tournament. In fact, they continue to contribute their own personal funds to the effort. However, they say the personal (non-monetary) rewards of giving back to the community are priceless.

For more information, contact Davey West at 605.220.9149.

(Contact Grace Terry at graceterrywilliams@gmail.com 

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