GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Host Bret Amundson meets spearing enthusiasts Tami Kotila and Amy Smith, owners of Twisted Sisters Spearing Decoys and viewers learn how removing obsolete dams from the Minnesota River is improving native fish habitat on Prairie Sportsman. “Twisted Sisters and Dam Be Gone” will air on Pioneer Public Television Sunday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m.; on Lakeland Public TV Saturday, April 13 at 2:30 p.m.; on KSMQ Thursday, April 25 at 7:30 pm; and on TPT Life Saturday, May 18 at 12:30 p.m.

Years ago, Amy Smith of Hugo was introduced to spearing. She dragged her sister Tami Kotila of Maple Lake along and they both became enthusiasts. Tami, who is crafty with tools, thought the decoys were too expensive so she decided to make her own, and ice anglers started asking if they could purchase them. Over a few beers, the sisters decided to launch their own business, Twisted Sisters Spearing Decoys, and have won numerous awards at outdoor shows.

Low-head river dams once provided power and a means to make ice for summer storage. But obsolete dams now only pose a safety hazard and prevent native fish from migrating upstream to spawn. Four Minnesota River dams have been removed and replaced with gentle rapids and the Marsh Lake dam near Appleton is being reconstructed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Minnesota DNR have built a new dike and water control structure at the site and will complete a fish passage this summer. The project included rerouting the Pomme de Terre River from its entrance into Marsh Lake to its original channel entering the Minnesota River below the dam. More than 3,000 native mussels would have been stranded by the reroute but were relocated by Corps and DNR staff.

This episode also presents a Conservation DIY segment on preventing stormwater runoff pollution by installing rain gardens and planting buffers along lakes and streams.

About Prairie Sportsman

Prairie Sportsman celebrates our love of the outdoors — to hunt, fish and enjoy recreation provided by our vast resources of lakes, rivers, trails and grasslands — while promoting environmental stewardship.

Prairie Sportsman’s team includes Cindy Dorn, producer/writer; Bret Amundson, host/assistant producer; Dylan Curfman, editor/videographer and Max Grabow, assistant videographer/editor. The 2019 season is made possible by funding from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, SafeBasements of Minnesota, Diamond Willow, Live Wide Open and Western Minnesota Prairie Waters.

About Pioneer Public Television

Established in 1966, Pioneer Public TV is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit www.pioneer.org.