JUNCTION CITY -The Kansas Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, along with Governor Sam Brownback were on Milford Lake Monday for a day of fishing as a part of the annual Larry Magill Sportsmen’s Challenge.

This was the ninth year for the Sportsmen’s Challenge which is annually held at Milford Lake. Speaker of the House Ray Merrick serves as the Co-Chair of the Kansas Sportsmen’s Caucus and helps organize the day of fishing.

“It’s the only time really, thinking about the Legislative year, it’s the only time that the Senate and the House really get together for non-legislative stuff,” Merrick Said. “It’s a way to really get to know each other.”

Governor Brownback agreed with Merrick and said the event helps build trust between the two legislative bodies.

“So much of getting anything done in a legislative body is built around relationships, and people knowing each other and the kind of background they come from and their ideas. Here’s a casual setting that you get to do that in,” explained Brownback.

This year 37 Legislator’s plus the Governor participated in fishing at Milford Lake. They were guided by local guides and had lunch at Acorns Resort. The Sportsmen’s Challenge will wrap up with a sporting clay shoot Tuesday in Topeka.