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Member
Posts: 76
| Brainerd, Minnesota.....In September, the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail contestants at the Mercury Championship unanimously voted touring pro Norb Wallock as the Realtree Sportsman of the Year.
This prestigious honor was awarded the very next day in Wallock's hospital room. It was the final trophy netted by this popular pro angler. He died of cancer that same week, a loss felt throughout the industry.
However, Julie Wallock, Conover, Wisconsin, Norb's wife felt a memorial in her late husband's honor would be perfect. "It's so much what he would have wanted," she said of the special annual memorial award and $500 stipend for the pro winner. Called the Norb Wallock Memorial Education Award, it will be judged on testimonial letters submitted by amateurs about their pro partners.
This Memorial Award will be presented to a PWT pro based on that pro's commitment to education and teaching amateurs during the 2003 season. Wallock was known as a teacher on the water. Julie Wallock said, "I have met many tournament anglers over the years, and they all talk about the 'learning curve' from being on the water. Norb's amateur partners would call all year, asking for more details. He would often tell me about each amateur who wanted to know more. He fished practice days with former amateurs, many who became really good friends."
Wallock's fishing career was at a high point, with 2000 and 2001 his best years. He recorded a $50,500 victory on Michigan's Saginaw Bay in 2000, and set a PWT one-day record catch on Lake Erie. His five walleyes weighed 48.48 pounds. He also posted a fourth that year, then collected checks in six of the seven 2001 tournaments. He placed in the top 10 a total of 10 times, and has 24 "money" finishes. At his memorial service, all present agreed that he followed his dream.
The PWT is a Pro-Am format, and amateur partners fish with a different pro each day for three full days at each tournament. The PWT series of six tournaments allows amateurs to fish one, two or as many as six events. They either choose a lake close to home, or waters they want to learn. Amateurs learn by working closely with their pros on boat positioning, figuring how to use GPS and electronics, mastering tackle tactics, fishing hotspots and discovering many other "secrets."
The 2003 PWT schedule follows. Amateur applications are being accepted.
Dee Zee Eastern Division
Lake Erie, Port Clinton, Ohio, April 16-18
Lake Erie, Dunkirk, NY, July 9-11
Bay de Noc, Escanaba, MI, Aug. 22-24
Dee Zee Western Division
Lake of the Woods, Baudette, MN, May 21-23
Mississippi River & Lake Pepin, Bay City, WI, June 11-13
Lake Oahe, Mobridge, SD, July 30-Aug. 1
More information can be found on the PWT web site:
www.professionalwalleyetrial.com
Or, call PWT headquarters at 218-829-0620. | |
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Member
Posts: 163
Location: Oshkosh | Incidentally, please keep in your prayers Norb's son Ryan- he was killed in a car accident last weekend. I was real close with him when we were young and we kind of just drifted apart as we got older... At least he and his dad are together again. [:blackeye:]
Mark Ostrowski | |
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Member
Posts: 244
| Wow
How much can one family take.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wallock family
and for all of Ryans many friends.
He truly was a great guy.
Dave Schmidt[:blackeye:] | |
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[PWT] PWT Announces Special Award to Honor Memory