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Location: Rhinelander | In-Fisherman Discontinues Professional Walleye Trail in 2009
Company Plans Future Investments in Walleye-Focused Media
Baxter, MN (August 5, 2008)-In-Fisherman, a division of InterMedia Outdoors, Inc., today announced that it will discontinue operation of the Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) after the 2008 season. The PWT started with a single event in 1989 and grew to become North America's most prestigious walleye tournament series.
During the past 19 years the PWT served as a proving ground for new tackle and marine equipment and the birthplace for innovative tactics that have made anglers across the country more successful. Along the way the PWT has awarded millions of dollars in cash and prizes to thousands of professional and amateur participants. However, sponsorship support no longer covers event expenses, and angler participation has declined in recent years.
Announcing the decision, In-Fisherman Publisher Steve Hoffman said, "This was a difficult decision for us, but in the end we felt that the PWT was no longer an effective way for us to serve the dedicated angler, which is our core mission at In-Fisherman."
The PWT has three events remaining in its 2008 schedule culminating in the 2008 PWT Championship Shootout on October 16-18 in Hudson, Wisconsin, with a first-place purse of $50,000.
Going forward, InterMedia Outdoors will continue to invest in walleye-focused media including additional editorial content in Walleye In-Sider magazine, content and functionality improvements in WalleyeFan.com, the launch of a new television series "Walleye In-Sider" which will begin shooting in October and will debut in the fourth quarter of next year, and the development and launch of a fully redesigned In-Fisherman website with content devoted to walleyes and virtually every other freshwater fish.
Hoffman added, "We're very excited about our new print, online and television endeavors, and are confident that we will not only teach millions of anglers how to catch more and bigger walleyes, but will continue to help our advertisers sell more product."
About In-Fisherman
For over thirty years, In-Fisherman has been the communications leader in the freshwater fishing industry through the integration of publications, television, radio, books, videos, DVD's and the Internet. In-Fisherman publications include In-Fisherman and Walleye In-Sider magazines; plus six annuals, Walleye Guide, Catfish In-Sider Guide, Bass Guide, Ice Fishing Guide, Pike & Muskie Guide, and coming in 2009 the Panfish Guide. The In-Fisherman Library consists of over 19 educational fishing books and 95 instructional fishing DVD's and videos. In-Fisherman Television airs 52 weeks a year on Outdoor Channel, Outdoor Channel 2HD, Fox Sports Net, The Sportsman Channel, Wild TV, and select broadcast markets. In-Fisherman Radio airs 6 days a week to over 420 stations nationwide. In-Fisherman's website can be found at www.in-fisherman.com.
About InterMedia Outdoors
InterMedia Outdoors, Inc. is the leading multimedia company exclusively serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts, with the largest network of websites dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing; a portfolio of 17 magazines including powerful brands such as Guns & Ammo, Petersen's Hunting, Fly Fisherman, and Florida Sportsman; syndicated radio programming; 11 market-leading television productions, the largest library of outdoors television programming and The Sportsman Channel, the only television network 100% dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing.
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WalleyeFIRST spoke yesterday with Jim Kalkofen, Executive Director of the In Fisherman PWT for the last 19 years, on the telephone. Mr. Kalkofen, an icon in the Professional Walleye fishing industry, was instrumental in forming the In Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail with original owners and Founders of In Fisherman, Ron and Al Lindner. Prior to that time, Mr. Kalkofen was on the Board of Directors and was one of the Founders of the MWC, which at that time was the Manufacturer's Walleye Council, as a liaison from Mercury Marine. Prior to and during Mercury Marine's sponsorship with the MWC under their Mariner Branding, Jim formed the Mariner Open Walleye Tournaments, which were successful for several years. Jim was inducted into the Freshwater Hall Of Fame last year, nominated by Industry and Angling professionals across the country because of his visionary dedication to the development and forwarding of the sport of competitive Walleye angling.
Jim stated In Fisherman and he parted ways last Friday, and indicated the remaining events would go forward as planned. He expressed regret that In Fisherman decided to eliminate the Professional Walleye trail, and was surprised the decision was announced mid-season.
Chip Leer will continue his duties as 2008 Tournament Director, and Julie Meister will remain as Tournament Coordinator. Julie reported this morning that she and Chip are looking very much forward to the PWT Can AM, and will be working with WalleyeFIRST to provide a clear, steady, and enjoyable live video stream.
Watch for a WalleyeFIRST Radio interview with Jim Kalkofen to be published this afternoon before 4 PM.
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| I bet its a new walleye circuit any bets???  | |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| It's OK Steve. You can let everyone know that I am retiring from walleye Tournament fishing. I know I can still fish, I just don't know if I want to anymore. I don't think I can 100% commit to all the expenses and prefishing time anymore. I'm not sure I want to spend hours tying crawler harnesses, and putting in all the offseason work going to expo's, crawlering, and rigging my boats. I'm tired, and I just want to work on a musclecar.
Edited by Shep 8/5/2008 8:15 AM
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Member
Posts: 1991
| Shep, you are to funny
Shep - 8/5/2008 8:13 AM
It's OK Steve. You can let everyone know that I am retiring from walleye Tournament fishing. I know I can still fish, I just don't know if I want to anymore. I don't think I can 100% commit to all the expenses and prefishing time anymore. I'm not sure I want to spend hours tying crawler harnesses, and putting in all the offseason work going to expo's, crawlering, and rigging my boats. I'm tired, and I just want to work on a musclecar. | |
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Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | Oh... say it ain't so, Shep! | |
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Member
Posts: 265
Location: Lincolnshire, IL | Shep, you need to take some time before you retire. Who among us doesn't want to hang it up at this point....the season has just ended for those of us not in the playoffs, we are tired of wind and waves, traveling, eating gas station sandwiches and pork rinds, not to mention digging deep into our pockets to fill the boat and truck with gas. Take a few months and wait until after the deer season and the holidays to see how you feel about it. My guess is that once the snow starts to melt and the walleye run is under way that you may feel differently then you do right now...  | |
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Posts: 2567
Location: Manitowoc, WI | The question to be asked of Shep is: will he be the walleye fishing version of Brett Favre, waffling day by day over his decision to retire???? | |
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Posts: 174
| Shep, How much is Thompson offering you? | |
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Posts: 2445
Location: Fremont, Wisconsin | The difference here is that he was asked to retire, haahahaha just joking!! | |
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| Go ahead and post it, I am guessing the annoucement is the fact that the PWT is done after this year. Not good news! | |
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Posts: 1382
| Yep that's it. | |
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| Unbelievable that they would throw that circuit in the trash heap. This will be one of the final steps in the dismantling of the greatest brands in fishing media. It all started the day Lindners sold. | |
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| It all started with the purchase by Primedia then the sale to Intermedia last year.
Too bad. What will the "factory" pros like Parsons and Kavajecz do now? I guess they will be forced to knock on the FLW door to have a pro circuit to fish. | |
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| AHHH now wait I bet parsons and kieth along with letsay Pat Neu and lord knows who else may just may be making an announcement sooooooooon right guys | |
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| I have a feeling this is exactly what AIM was banking on. This is the best thing that could have happened to that effort. Hopefully they have all their ducks in a row... | |
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| I hope AIM gets the outside money they need to support their endeavor.
Since costs to run one year of a professional level tournament series, such at the FLW Walleye Tour, costs at least one million dollars to run effectively and at the level necessary to be professional and attract sponsors, media, anglers, etc., AIM will need the bigger money investors to make the trail live, thrive and survive.
The door is open, lets hope they, AIM, steps through it with enough capital to be a real tournament company and not just a sanctioning organization like the PAA, professional anglers association (bass). PAA has two events that are big and really neat, but they are stand alone events, not a circuit and no way for the PAA members to make a living.
Let's keep our fingers crossed for AIM. | |
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Member
Posts: 1188
Location: Chicago IL. | There is already a new trail starting next year. Heard these rumors months ago. | |
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| John,
That's AIM. | |
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Member
Posts: 1382
| WalleyeFIRST spoke yesterday with Jim Kalkofen, Executive Director of the In Fisherman PWT for the last 14 years, on the telephone.
Mr. Kalkofen, an icon in the Professional Walleye fishing industry, was instrumental in forming the In Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail with original owners and Founders of In Fisherman, Ron and Al Lindner. Prior to that time, Mr. Kalkofen was on the Board of Directors and was one of the Founders of the MWC, which at that time was the Manufacturer's Walleye Council, as a liaison from Mercury Marine. Prior to and during Mercury Marine's sponsorship with the MWC under their Mariner Branding, Jim formed the Mariner Open Walleye Tournaments, which were successful for several years. Jim was inducted into the Freshwater Hall Of Fame last year, nominated by Industry and Angling professionals across the country because of his visionary dedication to the development and forwarding of the sport of competitive Walleye angling.
Jim stated In Fisherman and he parted ways last Friday, and indicated the remaining events would go forward as planned. He expressed regret that In Fisherman decided to eliminate the Professional Walleye trail, and was surprised the decision was announced mid-season.
Chip Leer will continue his duties as 2008 Tournament Director, and Julie Meister will remain as Tournament Coordinator. Julie reported this morning that she and Chip are looking very much forward to the PWT Can AM, and will be working with WalleyeFIRST to provide a clear, steady, and enjoyable live video stream.
Watch for a WalleyeFIRST Radio interview with Jim Kalkofen to be published this afternoon before 4 PM. | |
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Posts: 859
Location: Appleton wi | Yes there is a new circuit to be announced i heard it from the fishes mouth this weekand and you will all here about it! soon enough! | |
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Member
Posts: 538
| I, for one mourn its ending. I did four events on the am side last year and others in years past. It was a very well run, class operation. They provided the opportunity for many for great experiences on the water. Actually, after doing the eastern division years ago, the greatest lesson I learned is that even the some of the best, most experienced anglers get skunked now and then. I do not mean that in a condescending fashion, but as enlightenment for myself. I do nto beat myself up as much when I do the same!
Certainly, this will affect many anglers in many ways. Some will have more family time, which may be a blessing and others will move on to other opportunities.
Farwell, PWT. You will be missed by many. Thanks for the memories.
Take care,
Jim O | |
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Posts: 150
Location: mille lacs, mn. | Although it's maybe not a surprise to many of us, it surely is a sad day for me, being a pioneer of the PWT beginnings. Many of us surely should be indebted to the likes of In-Fish, the Lindners, JK and all the staff from over the years, for allowing us the opportunity to pursue dreams that very few are lucky enough to achieve. Here's a tearful THANK YOU!!
It's now time to AIM high!
Steve Fellegy
PWT "Inaugural Champ"
Edited by Steve Fellegy 8/5/2008 6:48 PM
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Posts: 1382
| Be sure to catch the WF Radio interview with Jim Kalkofen from this afternoon at:
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/play_mp3.asp?id=1076
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Posts: 701
Location: upper michigan | this is terable news. One of my lifes goals was to fish at least one season in the PWT a gaol that will no longer be obtainable with the curent news. | |
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Posts: 874
Location: Neenah, WI | I fished 10 or so events on the AM side and a handful on the Pro side of the PWT. I made lasting friends with some of the top anglers in the sport through the PWT, including Mr. Fellegy (hi coach). Had it not been for this circuit, I never would have met those fine friends or experienced fishing in all those far off places. What a trmendous learning experience. RIP PWT. It's time to move on and AIM for higher goals. | |
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Member
Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | CC
I applaud your accurate prediction... So, for technical skill... 5.8 But, for style (the snide insult of a moderator that adds nothing of substance) you get a "0"...
The truly tragic saspect of this is that it might have been avoidable or at least not fatal. But, for me. someone on the outside looking in, it appeared as though the management had a poor business plan and an arrogant attitude of "my way or the highway".
I heard lots of things that might have been opportunities that were lost... Now, any opportunity is definitely lost. We are all going to have "less" now than we had before. Perhaps the folks at AIM can package a great product and step up and over the past. I wish them luck. | |
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Member
Posts: 319
| Ditto on what hgmeyer stated. | |
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| AIM?what's that? | |
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Location: Rhinelander | http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/articles/08.07.2008/1475/Anglers.I... | |
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