History of the Club

The Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Walleye Club (CRANDIC) was founded in 2020 by a small group of passionate walleye anglers in Eastern Iowa. Their mission was simple but meaningful: to grow the sport of walleye fishing and promote conservation in the local community.

The founding members — Gary “Spike” Speicher of Cedar Rapids, Tracy Hayward of Robins, Terry Hora of Iowa City, Steve Miller of Marion, and Dave Nichols of Palo — had spent many years fishing tournament circuits, working sports shows, and participating in national fishing organizations across the U.S. They recognized the need for a local organization that could bring the same kind of education and conservation efforts to the community that national bass fishing clubs had done across the country.

CRANDIC was officially incorporated in January 2020 and received 501(c)(3) non-profit status in March 2021. That February, the club participated in the Cedar Rapids Sports Show and held its first organizational meeting at Shuey’s in Shueyville — just before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill.

The club managed to host its first tournament in April 2020 at Pleasant Creek Lake, which was won by Steve and Becky Miller. Soon after, the Iowa DNR cancelled all tournament permits, bringing the inaugural season to an early end. Throughout the rest of the year, members stayed connected through email and began preparing for a stronger 2021 season.

But another challenge was just around the corner. In August 2020, a devastating derecho storm hit the Cedar Rapids area with winds over 120 mph. The storm caused massive destruction to homes, businesses, and infrastructure — including those of club members.

By November, members were back on their feet and meeting at their unofficial “clubhouse” — Gary Speicher’s storage building. With renewed energy, CRANDIC began planning its full comeback for 2021.

The club soon affiliated with The Walleye Federation, a national organization of walleye clubs under the umbrella of The Bass Federation in Oklahoma. This affiliation allowed CRANDIC to participate in local tournaments and non-profit events while giving members opportunities to qualify for the TWF National Team Championship.

From just 24 members in its first year, CRANDIC has grown to a network of more than 90 members and participants. Over the years, the club has hosted more than 20 tournaments and several outings for members and guests.

In addition to fishing, CRANDIC is proud to support local and national organizations, including:

After six years of growth and resilience, CRANDIC is excited to expand its reach through its new website and Facebook page. Join us as we write the next chapter in our story — one built on community, conservation, and a shared love of walleye fishing.

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