Polespear tournament removes invasive species from river, feeds community

Atlas Environmental, which does environmental work in and around the San Marcos River, teamed up with Ivar’s River Pub to hold the Winter Polespear Tournament 2019 Invasive Fish Fry on Sunday. 

The event at Ivar’s followed the 11th Biannual Polespear Tournament, which consists of spearfishing using a polespear, took place from Nov. 1-24, where invasive fish, snails and trash were taken out of the upper San Marcos River. 

Invasive fish speared during the tournament by participants directly out of the San Marcos River were fried and served with toppings during Sunday’s fish fry. 

“Since 2013, Atlas has put on 11 biannual polespear tournaments, and six invasive fish frys giving out free tilapia tacos with homemade slaw, cilantro, lime and hot sauce,” said Nick Menchaca, owner and operator of Atlas Environmental. “Since 2016, Atlas Environmental has also been the contractor for underwater litter removal in the upper San Marcos River.”

Nick Menchaca and Janaye Williamson prepare tacos during Sunday’s fish fry.

Menchaca said 1,076 suckermouth catfish and 221 tilapia were removed from Spring Lake, the San Marcos River and Cape’s Dam this year. 

“The goal of the event is not to raise money, but to feed the community and celebrate the end of another tournament as well as protection of the San Marcos River,” Menchaca said. “Any tips or T-shirt sales help cover the cost of putting on the fish fry. We have never monetarily profited from the tournaments or the fish frys.”

Menchaca added that if anybody is interested in helping remove invasive species and litter from the river, the polespear tournaments are a good place to start. 

“Those who volunteer with me year round in areas such as Spring Lake or Landa Lake have been through multiple tournaments and proved themselves with a polespear,” Menchaca said.” The Spring Polespear Tournament will take place Feb. 7 - March 1, 2020.”

For more information on Atlas Environment or upcoming polespear tournaments, visit Atlas Environmental's website.