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PWT Championship Wrap-up, Congratulations to Tom Kemos and Scott Fairbairn

Posted 10/17/2006 10:36 AM (#48239)
Subject: PWT Championship Wrap-up, Congratulations to Tom Kemos and Scott Fairbairn

Location: Rhinelander

Eight qualifying tournaments across the country in the Regional and Super Pro formats distilled a field of hundreds down to a 51 boat field of some of the best competitive Walleye anglers on the planet.

Bismarck, North Dakota was a natural for the event for a couple reasons; first, the Civic Center is a kick fanny facility, modern and spacious and perfect for a live weigh in. Second, the people of Bismarck really turned out for the Championship, filling one side and better than 2/3 of the other of the giant Center on the final day. The event was set up for the crowd and webcast using multiple cameras, creating an 'I'm there' atmosphere for those watching on a computer monitor. Jim O was at his finest, and the crew of In Fish and dozens of volunteers put on one heck of a show. Third, the fish are there, but difficult and require quite a bit of adventure and unparalleled hard work to put a consistent weight in the boat for three straight days, creating an air of anticipation in the crowd and wide open respect for the toughness the Pros exhibited navigating the river in near record cold conditions, huge winds, and low water. Fourth, the Ramkota is comfortable and perfectly suited for the awards banquet.

The low water, high current and shifting underwater sands of the river created a brutal gauntlet for the Pros running to near the border of South Dakota. Beaching on sand bars, smacking a stump; JUST glancing for a second away from the plotter trail could spell an hour or more of lost time or a lower unit gone. Almost every Pro mentioned the plotter trail saving them from certain disaster. Yet I heard no complaining; saw no long faces at the weigh ins, just determination and professionalism.

Mr. Fairbairn told me he was going to swing for the fence the last day. He did. His second place finish was hard fought and exciting. Also, Scott's second place finish at the PWT Championship earned him the 2006 Iron Man Championship title, edging out Mr. Ortiz and Mr. Franklin in a field of 8 Iron Men, those who fished the full FLW AND both circuits in the PWT. 14 Pro Walleye events in about 28 weeks; Iron Men THAT schedule represents!

Tom Kemos was steadfast and determined from the start, but the pressure was obvious at the end of Day Two. Tom and Third Place finisher Keith Kavajecz were fishing the same area part of day two and the final day, and the second day weights looked like a sure shootout would occur on the Final Day on those fish.

Ron Gasvoda's E-cell Heavyweight big basket was one of the many high points for the crowd on Day Three; the Civic Center rocked as he held up his fish while dropping them one by one into the weigh basket. Weighmaster Ty was the new 2006 Wizard of Oz, secreted behind the massive I shaped stage in a draped enclosure while the weights displayed on the big screens across the arena. Mr. Skarlis was a showman, firing up the crowd to near screaming level every day, and even attempting a moon walk shuffle a couple times.

Mr. Kemos, I'm betting you will like your position in the World Walleye Rankings once we have a chance to update for the PWT Championship. Combined with your first place finish in the PWT Championship, congratulations, you are definitely now able to lay legitimate Claim to the Name....Tommy.

I'm already looking forward to the 2007 In Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail!