POLSON — Every grillmaster has his or her secrets and those secrets were put to the test at the second annual Smokin’ on the Water barbecue contest at the KwaTaqNuk last weekend, sponsored by the Polson Chamber Ambassadors.

Jack Clapp, the pit boss for the Polson Fire Department team, had his own secrets.

One that he was willing to divulge was that it takes a little bit of love and a lot of patience to get the perfect blend.

Last year, his team won the People’s Choice award and this year, took runner-up in the pork category.

His team was hard at work cooking ribs and pulled pork. The ribs were slow cooked in indirect heat. He also cooked six shoulders along with the dozen ribs.

“You can’t speed them along,” he said.

As the pit boss, he was in charge of running the show and keeping things going. His team also had homemade coleslaw, beans and salad.

“It’s a little more than straight meat around here,” Clapp said.

Results:

Second Annual Smokin’ on the Water barbecue results

First Place

Sauce

Pit Boss:  Michael Tigue

Team:  Side of the Tracks

Chicken

Pit Boss:  Preston Johnson AKA Propane Punk

Team:  Les Schwab Polson

Pork

Pit Boss:  Michael Tigue

Team:  Side of the Tracks

Beef

Pit Boss:  Preston Johnson AKA Propane Punk

Team:  Les Schwab Polson

Open Category

Pit Boss:  Tyanna Starkel

Team:  S & S Sports, Inc.

Second Place

Sauce

Pit Boss:  Bonnie Sedita

Team:  Kwa Taq Nuk Resort

Chicken

Pit Boss:  Michael Tigue

Team:  Side of the Tracks

Pork

Pit Boss:  Jack Clapp

Team:  Polson Fire Dept.

Beef

Pit Boss:  Bonnie Sedita

Team:  Kwa Taq Nuk Resort

Open Catergory:  Pit Boss:  Preston Johnson AKA Propane Punk

Team:  Les Schwab Polson

 People’s choice award:  Les Schwab Polson