Johnson, Rick Rude, Gary Campbell, Mickey Sheker, Tom Oester, Judd Guericke, and Aaron Weiberg established Northern Slayer, a conversation-driven business, in the mid-2000s.

“We all loved to fish,” Johnson said. “It was a chance for us to get together and do just that in a couple of ways. The business name came from our love of catching Northern Pike on summer trips.

“A children’s book got all of this rolling,” he added. “It was dedicated in memory of my late father and uncle, who took us to Canada. It was always a highlight of those younger years.”

“The Northern Slayer: First Trip to Canada” was designed to inspire other families like the one the group had been part of. From there, discussions evolved into different marketing possibilities and eventually led to the creation of a board game.

-Submitted photo
Fort Dodge resident Matt Johnson and a group of friends devised a board game to share their love of fishing. They have donated their copies of the game to Almost Home Animal Shelter to raise funds for the shelter.

Despite the original idea coming together around 2006, it’s drawn recent interest.

“We had a few hundred games left from the original trade shows that we went to several years back,” Johnson said. “The Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa was looking for a fundraising idea, and some of us are connected to it. We donated the entire remaining inventory that had been in storage for some time.

“It was amazing how many people wanted to get more information and even purchase the game at a craft vendor fair on Nov. 29,” he added. “We’ve already sold over 20.”

Johnson indicated interested individuals can email him at matt804johnson@gmail.com or call the shelter at 515-955-8343. “There are still several copies available,” he added.

The game features a custom playing board illustrated by former local artist Joe Mueller, coins representing different fish, and other accessories for a day on the lake when it isn’t possible to be there. “We just want to have as many youths find out how great fishing is, much like we did,” Johnson said. “It’s been so fun seeing the game come alive again, and we’re glad the proceeds will help the shelter this winter.”

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The children’s book “The Northern Slayer: First Trip to Canada” inspired the board game “Fish On.”