River Rat Ruling:
Dubuque Doesn’t Disappoint


Many anglers have a love/hate relationship with the Mighty Mississippi River. For many fishing professionals that call the Great Lakes or northern lakes home, the huge Mississippi River (hundreds of miles long and miles wide - especially in recent flood conditions) is like a foreign country. Yet few will argue that the river fishery is tremendous.  With concentrated management efforts on many of the pools, a world-class walleye fishery has emerged and some of the finest walleye anglers on the planet have proved that.

The latest AIM Pro Walleye Series tournament, staged out of Pool 12 of the Mississippi River at Dubuque, Iowa really challenged many of the anglers.  Water conditions were confounding: falling and rising with temperatures swinging up and down on a daily basis. Locating good numbers of larger biting fish would be the major challenge of the tournament. Small cigar-sized walleyes are common but would not form a winning weight compared to the big, trophy walleyes that everyone knew were also present. But the AIM Pro Anglers are the best walleye anglers in the world; certainly they would figure something out.

Veteran walleye Pro Angler and Iowan, Tommy Skarlis shocked the entire field as he put on a clinic during Day One with an incredible seven-fish limit weighing 51.05 pounds.  This near record single day weight put Skarlis more than 26 pounds ahead of Brett King in second place. King was also familiar with the River, and was currently holding onto the lead for the AIM J. J. Keller Angler of the Year Award. 

Many assumed it was a “done deal”. Just crown Skarlis as the Dubuque tournament champion. But this was the Mississippi River where anything is possible

.

“The wingdam bite really started to turn on during the second to last day of practice,” explained Navionics pro, Tommy Skarlis.  “We caught some fish as the water was dropping, and it was still going pretty good on the first day of the tournament even though the water was starting to come up and get dirty.  The wingdams were very productive, but that bite was getting tougher. I felt the bite in other spots would get better as the tournament wore on.”

“I caught two of my primary fish form wingdams,” Skarlis says.  “The rest however, came from my main spot, which was back in Menomonee Slough.  The rising water moved in and I knew my pattern was diminishing, but I really didn’t have enough confidence to leave it.  After maintaining a slight lead after Day Two, I then knew it was no longer my tournament to win but rather my tournament to lose.”

Playing the current is absolutely essential to being successful on the river, as the fish take advantage of current breaks.  The baitfish are at the mercy of the current and the walleyes go wherever the baitfish are found.  Skarlis took advantage of his experience and used a rig that was actually developed in the local region known as the “Dubuque Rig.”

“The Dubuque Rig is run on a three-way swivel,” Skarlis explains. “That dropper is 16 inches of line completed with a three-quarter to one ounce hand poured jig from a DO-IT molds.  I tipped the big jig with a four-inch power grub and a leech.  On the other swivel I tied a five-foot length of line to a hook baited with a jumbo leech, crawler or a minnow. The rig is fished by bouncing the heavy jig on the bottom as I creep along the current seams. Most bites come from the trailing hook, just floating along innocently behind.”

Robert Lampman, fishing in his first AIM tournament, finished Day One in third place. Being an experienced river angler, he also knew how walleye tournaments on rivers can have wild day-to-day fluctuations. He knew that no tournament is won on the first day so he kept to his game plan. 

“I knew that if Skarlis were to come in with an 18-20 pound limit on Day Two of the tournament that catching him would be very unlikely,” said the Desoto, Wisconsin native. Robert Lampman continued, “If I was going to catch him I needed to have a solid Day Two and bring in one of the biggest bags of the tournament.  I knew the pattern I was on would hold as it appealed to rising and dirty water, so my confidence was high.”

Having fished this and adjacent pools of the Mississippi for many years, Lampman is no stranger to rising river conditions.  He is also a veteran walleye tournament angler who won the 2005 FLW Championship, which took place just downstream on the Mississippi River at the Quad Cities.  He took a few years off from tournament fishing to remain close to his ailing mother. That is a fine representation of what kind of man Lampman is; he knows and understands what life is all about. 
 
Lampman returned on Day Two of the AIM tournament having CRR’d seven fish for a total weight of 33.23 pounds. Skarlis, on the other hand, managed only a four fish total of 12.07 pounds. Lampman was able to cut the difference between him and Skarlis to just over six pounds. First place was within reach, but the competition all knew that another 50 pound bag was a possibility. Someone would stumble and someone else would surge into the lead. A shootout emerged…

“This was my first AIM experience under the CRR format,” Lampman explains.  “I was very impressed with the professionalism, organization, and the passion of all the anglers involved.  This portion of the Mississippi protects the walleyes from over-harvest through a slot limit, which in walleye tournaments can make it extremely difficult to put together a solid limit. Through the Catch-Record-Release format that AIM developed, we were able to fish a premier walleye fishery without limitations and really show off the quality fishing opportunities that Dubuque has.”

During practice Lampman worked closely with eventual second place finisher, Harry Miller. They had put in quite a bit of time fishing high water conditions.  They were still nervous with the constantly changing conditions, but really settled into their pattern after the tournament began.

“I was running a Bomber crankbait and also pitching jigs,” explains Lampman.  “We targeted back eddies close to rock piles where the walleyes sought refuge from increasing river currents and could lurk in the dingier water.  We also looked for water depths that were in the six to eight foot range that was adjacent to that kind of structure.  It needed to be easily accessible and easily reached with short precise casts.”

“Truthfully, I think that pattern would still be effective today,” Lampman continued. “Knowing that the fish where there and most likely that the conditions were not going to push them out kept my confidence up.  I had six or seven spots I was fishing, and each location was good for one or two fish, so it wasn’t the kind of bite where I was on large schools of bigger fish.  However, my final day weight of over 30 pounds came as a result of a consistent bite.  I knew just where to place my presentations.”

Dubuque native, Harry Miller is no newcomer to the sport of competitive walleye angling.  Miller co-founded the Walleye Anglers Trail and has been a dedicated Mississippi River Rat for over 30 years.  When matched with the experience and wits that Robert Lampman contributed, this team of competitors was almost unbeatable, and they proved it.

“This was my first AIM experience, as well,” Miller said.  “Everybody was so professional and really represented what the AIM Walleye Series is all about.  We were fishing against some of the finest walleye anglers in the world and to place second among them was a dream come true. Just having the chance to talk with and get to know so many of them is what made the event for me.”

Lampman, Miller, and Skarlis all agreed that some of the loudest applause and cheering came when Dubuque native and another first time AIM angler, the young up-and-comer Clayton Freiburger took the stage each day.  Freiburger finished a very respectable fourth and proved he has a spot in professional walleye angling. 

“The next generation of competitive anglers looks very strong,” Miller said.   “These young guns have learned to be patient and effective under all kinds of fishing conditions and situations.  Freiburger is a fine representation of what the future of professional walleye angling looks like, and I wish him the best of luck.”

Lampman sealed his victory with another consistent bag weighing 30.25 pounds on Day Three. His three day total was 87.58 pounds of Mississippi River walleyes. Harry Miller also surged ahead of Skarlis to finish with 67.52 pounds, good enough for second place. Tommy Skarlis finished in third with 66.22 pounds, followed by Clayton Freiburger in fourth with 61.35 pounds, and fellow Iowan and AIM Pro Angler Brandon Carpenter in fifth with 56.88 pounds. Brett King was able to maintain a slim cumulative lead in the J. J. Keller Angler of the Year race after three tournaments with a ninth place finish at Dubuque.

The victory in the AIM Pro Walleye Series tournament at Dubuque earned Lampman a prize package of $5,000 plus a new boat and motor. The boat was a Crestliner 1750 Raptor TE equipped with a Mercury Optimax 125hp motor, with a package value of $25,000.

After winning this event, Lampman was asked if this experience would push him back into the fulltime professional angler scene. He remains undecided but agreed this was the kind of event to reignite the walleye tournament excitement within him.  If it were to work out with his regular work schedule, Lampman would absolutely consider participation in the full AIM schedule.

River fishing can be as tough as it gets, but when you put pure blood river anglers like Lampman, Miller, Skarlis, Freiburger, and others together on the Mississippi River you will see some impressive fish. The Dubuque, Iowa area was shown to be an incredible walleye fishery. The local anglers continually said, “You need to come back when conditions are better and the fishing is REALLY good!” The AIM Pro Walleye Series and the Catch-Record-Release format were created to promote this kind of fishery, and the river rats proved it!

Full tournament results, along with video interviews of the competitors can be found at the AIM website, www.aimfishing.com. The website also includes video replays of all three days of the weigh-ins, hosted inside the Mystique Casino in Dubuque. The next tournament in the 2011 season is the AIM International Walleye Championship, scheduled for September 15 to 17 in Akaska, South Dakota.

Watch the Final weigh in clip

Robert Lampman placed a large hint out there for anyone listening on day two when he explained in his morning interview he pulled his very respectable weight of 24.01 the first day…in only two hours. He was locking through south, and barge traffic cost him much of the day. Day two he CRR’d enough to come within 6 pounds of leader Tommy Skarlis, and on the final day blasted past the rest of the field putting his second 30 pound plus 7 fish limit in the net to weigh in a total of 87.58 pounds of Mississippi River walleyes. Rob took home a new Crestliner Boat powered by a Mercury Outboard and $5000.00 in cash for his efforts.

Another well known river rat and Iowa native, Harry Miller, stayed dead center consistent weighing over 20 pounds a day to take second with a total of 67.52 pounds, a full twenty pounds behind Lampman. He beat third place angler Tommy Skarlis by just over a pound, as Tommy’s bite died today. Local Clayton Freiburger took fourth, Brandon Carpenter fifth, Robert Blosser sixth, Ross Grothe seventh, Keith Kavajecz eighth, Brett King, current JJ Keller Angler of the Year leader, took ninth, and perennial top then finisher Mike Gofron rounded out the top ten.

The bite was so varied no one particular method ruled the day, and fish were weighed from almost the entire system. The slot limit, which AIM anglers need not worry about because of the ‘immediate release’ CRR format, has improved the pool’s walleye population to the point where a near 90 pound three day total could have been common if the water and weather conditions had been optimal.

The Dubuque AIM paid down 12 places of the final 16, offering a $30,000.00 value for first place. Next up on the 2011 AIM Circuit is Akaska, South Dakota, in mid September.

Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com. The next tournament is the season ending AIM International Walleye Championship at Akaska, SD on September 15 to 17. This tournament will also crown the 2011 AIM J. J. Keller Angler of the year who will receive a $10,000 prize.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM® Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

Additional AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine & MotorGuide, Yamaha Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, Navionics, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, John Butts Outdoors, Luck E Strike Lures, National Fleet Graphics, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort piers, Reef Runner Lures, Hatcams, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, Come By Chance Resort, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service

The AIM Walleye Tournament out of Dubuque on the Mississippi has been a story of ups and downs, most of which have been associated with water levels.

Today Rob Lampman was WAY up, after getting a full day on his fish. He’s locking through, and yesterday only had two hours to put his limit together, CRRing 7 for 24.1 pounds after fighting the time element of the barges and lock system. Today he put it together CRRing 7 more for 33.23, and a total of 57.33.

That was still only enough for second. Day One leader Tommy Skarlis put four in the net for 12.07, and a total of 63.12, holding down first place going into the final day almost 6 pounds in the lead. That isn’t much when considering what these two river rats have weighed in the last two days. The ‘two Pro two Day Total’ is over 120 pounds.

There’s some reason for speculation whether Tommy was on his best bite today. No doubt Rob was, but he has several other areas he’s confident in according to his interviews over the last two days. The AIM Dubuque tournament now officially a Shootout!

Harry Miller, a well known tournament organizer and angler from Bellevue made a strong move today as well, adding 23.19 to yesterday’s 21.4 to take over third going into the final day. He’s definitely a threat as well, but has a much more difficult task that will require Skarlis and Lampman to stumble badly for the win.

Robert Blosser is just three pounds behind with 41.96 in fourth, continuing his consistent streak during his AIM career. Clayton Feiburger, a local Pro, moved in to fifth with 40.03.

Current JJ Keller Angler of the Year leader Brett King slipped into sixth with a 12.68 pound weight today, but is more than determined to make up that weight tomorrow. Seventh is Keith Kavajecz, eighth is Joe Okada, ninth is Ross Grothe, and tenth is Scott Hamel.

The top 16 return to the water tomorrow morning fishing for the $30,000 first place cash and prizes, and  a total prize payout of over $50,000.00. The top 5 will spend the day under the watchful eyes of the AIM fans watching their every move on the exclusive AIM GPS Tracker Navionics Map. Look for the link on the AIM website tomorrow morning at http://www.aimfishing.com.

The field will be cut to 16 Pros for the final day, competing for over $50,000 in cash and prizes including a new Mercury powered Crestliner Boat and $5000.00 cash for the win.

 Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com. The next tournament is the season ending AIM International Walleye Championship at Akaska, SD on September 15 to 17. This tournament will also crown the 2011 AIM J. J. Keller Angler of the year who will receive a $10,000 prize.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM® Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.


Additional AIM Marketing Partners:

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine & MotorGuide, Yamaha Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, Navionics, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, John Butts Outdoors, Luck E Strike Lures, National Fleet Graphics, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort piers, Reef Runner Lures, Hatcams, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, Come By Chance Resort, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service

Navionics Pro Tommy Skarlis is an Iowa resident. He’s well known as a tough competitor and a river specialist, and is a favorite for many at this event. All that considered...

He put on a clinic today on the Mississippi, CRRing a total of 7 fish for 51.05 pounds and a very convincing lead totalling more than double second place Brett King’s weight. Tommy said he was delighted to find the quality of the fish he was on as high as it was, and is fairly confident the bite will hold there. No other details were offered, not surprising since the Dubuqe AIM runs three days.

Brett King, current JJ Keller Angler of the year leader, had a solid day recording 7 fish for 24.7 pounds. Brett is a solid three plus pounds ahead of Robert Lampman, a well known Pro fishing his first AIM event.

Robert Blosser, 2010 Angler of the Year and one of the most consistent anglers in professional walleye angling over the last two seasons, is just a bit over a pound back from third.

Veteran Pro Ross Grothe is in fifth, Harry Miller Jr sixth, Veteran River Pro Maury Schmerbach seventh, Clayton Freiburger eighth, Rich Mealey ninth, and Young Gun Joe Okada rounds out the top ten.

Fishing conditions are reportedly very tough on the Mississippi this year as high water, rapidly fluctuating levels, and cloudy water conditions compounded a late warm up. Almost every technique including 3 way rigs , jigging, trolling cranks and more, and the majority of the Pros talked abut not being able to find the big fish they know are there in any consistent manner during pre-fish, but the pattern came together for many today and most feel will improve as the next two days progress.

The field of 32 Pros will leave tomorrow at 7 AM and will weigh back in at 4 PM. Watch for video, images, on the water reports, and more tomorrow during the day, and join us at www.aimfishing.com for the live weigh in.

The field will be cut to 16 Pros after tomorrow’s tally for the final day, competing for over $50,000 in cash and prizes including a new Mercury powered Crestliner Boat and $5000.00 cash for the win.

Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com. The next tournament is the season ending AIM International Walleye Championship at Akaska, SD on September 15 to 17. This tournament will also crown the 2011 AIM J. J. Keller Angler of the year who will receive a $10,000 prize.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM® Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

Additional AIM Marketing Partners:

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine & MotorGuide, Yamaha Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, Navionics, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, John Butts Outdoors, Luck E Strike Lures, National Fleet Graphics, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort piers, Reef Runner Lures, Hatcams, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, Come By Chance Resort, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service

Spring flooding along the Mississippi valley has forced high water to overrun river banks. Conditions that change on a daily basis make walleye locations anyone�s guess going into the third stop on the AIM Pro Walleye Series at Dubuque, Iowa on June 22-24.

The largest river system in North America, the Mississippi stretches from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to New Orleans where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico after some 2,320 miles. The clear, blue water of northern Minnesota gradually changes to brown with distance and the input of countless streams and tributary rivers. Flood waters add to the sediment and debris that will complicate the fishing presentations of the AIM competitors.

The mighty Mississippi is also known by its nickname, the Big Muddy, and this fits perfectly because of the flooding of 2011.

Huge rafts of barges pushed by tugs, stern-wheel party boats, speed and ski boats and fishing craft of every description use the Mississippi River on a daily basis. But for the next three days it is also home to the nation�s top walleye anglers, who will be fishing a challenging system.

AIM Pro Anglers Brandon Carpenter, who grew up on the river, and Tommy Skarlis, who lives 100 miles from the Mississippi, gave their predictions.

Brandon Carpenter:

�Sorry I missed your call. I�m probably out fishing,� Carpenter�s voice mail message says. �I�m fishing right now,� he said on the returned call. Growing up on the river, Carpenter has fished the pools with friends for years. The Rockwell, Iowa resident is no stranger to competitive fishing, having fished tournaments for the past 22 years, and professionally for the past five.

The AIM tournament competitors will be fishing a flooded river system that makes it twice as wide as normal, he said. There are over 100 miles of river that includes Pools 11, 12, and 13 available to fish. Added to this are backwaters and slough-areas, plus flooded creek channels, all of which are good bets to fish, especially if there is current.

Located on Pools 11 and 12, Dubuque will host daily launches at its new and improved ramp site downtown and next to the Mystique Casino - where the daily tournament weigh-ins will take place on Wednesday through Friday.

�Flooded waters shouldn�t affect the quality of fishing, just the location. The walleyes just move from the main river to the backwaters to escape the strongest current� Carpenter said. 

�The area close to Dubuque is usually a nice part of the river but right now there is lots of debris in the water. If the water levels continue to drop, we can probably break most records with the wing dam bite. A foot or two drop and we�ll be casting crankbaits and jigs. There is too much debris in the water to troll,� he said.

�This is a different fishery from the lakes and reservoirs we fish in other tournaments. I think this could be a record-breaking tournament catch-wise if conditions are right,� he said. The unique Catch-Record-Release format of the AIM Pro Walleye Series allows each boat to weigh the seven biggest walleyes each day, with no slot limits or culling restrictions. Each fish is photographed and then immediately released where it was caught.

This is the first time the AIM Pro Walleye Series has visited Dubuque. Carpenter feels river fishing is easier than fishing lakes. �In lakes, fish can be spread out. In my opinion, the river is a lot easier because if you find them you can throw about anything and catch them,� he said. �The current of the river concentrates fish a lot more.�

But Carpenter says that fish here are well-fed.  �There is lots of food in the water now. I�ve seen baby shad, shiners, minnows, perch and sheepshead, which walleye love,� he said.

Tommy Skarlis:

If there is such a thing as home water advantage, Tommy Skarlis wouldn�t be the best pick. �I�m not familiar with the river in the Dubuque area. On a scale from 1-10 with that section of water, I would give myself a 3 or 4,� he said.

According to Skarlis, this will be the first summer walleye tournament held in Dubuque area in over 20 years. �This is big news. There are some really cool activities set up with the Mystique Casino and a lot of community events. I�m pretty fired up to go,� he said.

Another plus for holding the tournament in Dubuque is a huge population of fish with the normal slot limit from 22-28 inches. Normally all walleyes within this size range have been protected. However, with AIM�s Catch-Record-Release format, the slot limit isn�t a factor. �This is a perfect venue for us,� Skarlis said. �There may be a million meaty walleyes within this slot that are just waiting to be CRR�ed�

Skarlis says the water is still high and doesn�t think those conditions will change a whole lot, but unlike Carpenter, says that the water he�s been plumbing is relatively clear of debris. �If anything, the river might come up. It�s been running clean where I have been prefishing,� he said. �I really feel for those people who live downstream with all the flooding,� he added.

According to Skarlis, about half of the field will be made up of local anglers. Normally that would be a big advantage but under current conditions with the walleyes being positioned differently due to the high water he�s predicting the playing field will be even.

There is more to tournament fishing than just finding fish. Moving with the walleyes is required to win. �They may only move 100 yards, but which way did they move?� Skarlis said. The Iowa pro will work wing dams and rock piles, especially those that only come into play in high water situations. He is planning to use a variety of baits including Salmo Hornet or Bullhead crankbaits to troll, Berkley Flicker Shads for both trolling and casting, and a wide assortment of jigs for casting or pitching.

As a result of past flooding, a new launch ramp has been built downtown. There is plenty of parking close to the ramp as well as at the Mystique Casino - where the daily indoor �virtual weigh-ins� will occur.

�I was in favor of coming to Dubuque not because I know the water. I live about 100 miles from it. The last time I fished there was in a PWT tournament in 1997 and I didn�t cash a check,� Skarlis said. �I do like that we are coming to Dubuque because I think it�s a great area to hold a tournament. Dubuque is Iowa�s oldest city and is rich in heritage, culture and history,� he said. �Dubuque has worked hard to improve the riverfront downtown and the tournament will help showcase this area.�

For more information about Dubuque visit www.traveldubuque.com. For information about the AIM Pro Walleye Series tournament and to keep up with the all of tournament action on-the-water and the daily live weigh-in, visit www.aimfishing.com.

The award winning movie, Field of Dreams, isn’t the only thing Dubuque, Iowa is known for. After this week it will be recognized as one of the premier stops on the AIM Pro Walleye Series Tournament Trail. The Dubuque AIM tournament starts on June 22nd and runs through Friday, June 24th.

After the tournament boats have been launched each morning, the fans can take advantage of some really unique and interesting sightseeing in and around Dubuque before the afternoon’s weigh-in festivities begin.

Movie goers will recall Dubuque, Iowa as the setting for the popular movie, Field of Dreams, filmed nearby in 1998. The quaint farm location is open daily from 9a.m. until 6p.m. You can fulfill your own “field of dreams” by running the bases, playing catch, batting balls or sitting in the bleachers. Admission is free. Call 563-875-8404 for information.

For another hands-on experience, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is part of the nearly $400 million riverfront renovation that highlights Dubuque's main attraction, the Mississippi River.

Visitors can take a ride on Iowa's only authentic paddle wheeler or attend a party on a chartered yacht. Stroll along the Mississippi Riverwalk, attend a concert, or simply enjoy the sight of boats passing by while feeling the brisk breeze off the water. For information call 563-557-9545.

History buffs will be interested in exploring Dubuque, which is Iowa's oldest city, founded by Julien Dubuque in 1788. Julien Dubuque is believed to be the first European to settle on what is now Iowa soil in 1788. In 1796, Dubuque received a land grant from the Governor of Spain to work the land. The grant specified that the 189-square mile area to be named as the "Mines of Spain."

A park system is now designated as the Julien Dubuque Mines National Historic Landmark, the Silos and Smokestacks Heritage Area Partner Site, State Preserve, National Recreational Trails, Important Birding Area, and Watchable Iowa Wildlife Area.

You can also tour landmarks of a bygone era and appreciate the Victorian architecture of Dubuque's oldest mansions. For the more adventurous, take a ride up the world's shortest and steepest railway. The Fenelon Place Elevator, also known as the 4th Street Elevator, is only 296 feet in length – but is nearly straight up the river bluff. The ride provides a magnificent view of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The railway is open April through November. For more information call 563-582-6496.

Finally, visitors can walk the planks of a dredge boat used during WWII, tour a 150-year-old jail, or explore the land that the Mesquakies once inhabited. The Mesquakie were the earliest known native inhabitants of the Mines of Spain Area. Their village was located at the mouth of the Catfish Creek. The Mesquakie carried on a fur trade with French voyagers. They also worked the lead mines for many decades before the Revolutionary War. Mounds, village sites, rock shelters, trading post sites and campsites dot the landscape.
  
Five miles of trails full of wildlife and beautiful scenery run through the park. You can take to the water by canoeing or kayaking Catfish Creek. Launch at the Catfish Creek canoe access and paddle toward the main channel of the Mississippi River or paddle through the park and enjoy the back waters of the Mississippi. Call 563-556-0620 for information.

But most importantly, plan to watch the daily weigh-ins for the AIM Pro Walleye Series beginning at 5:00 p.m. For tournament information and to watch the live weigh-ins, visit www.aimfishing.com.

Plymouth, WI – June 17, 2011
The AIM Pro Walleye Series is scheduled for Dubuque, Iowa on June 22 to 24, 2011. The tournament is sponsored by the Dubuque Area Visitors and Convention Bureau. The location for the daily weigh-ins will be the Mystique Casino. The weigh-ins will be held indoors to eliminate any chance of inclement weather affecting the multi-media show.

The tournament is a Pro-Am format. Each Co-angler will be paired with a different walleye fishing professional for the first two days of the event. The top half of the field of professionals will advance to fish on Day Three, and will be paired with Co-anglers who were selected by a random drawing at the pre-event Rules Meeting.

The AIM Pro Anglers will be competing for a total purse of $51,000, which is equal to 106% of the pro entry fees. First place is valued at over $25,000, and includes $5,000 in cash plus a Crestliner 1750 Raptor TE boat, Mercury Optimax 125hp motor, and matching trailer.

The list of registered Pro Anglers is as follows:
Brandon Carpenter, Brett King, Bruce Mirabella, Bruce Samson, Clayton Freiburger, Corey Sauerwein, Don Pape, Doug Clark Jr, Gary Parsons, Harry Miller, Jim Carroll, Joe Okada, Keith Kavajecz, Kevin Oyen, Marianne Huskey, Mark Brumbaugh, Mark Martin, Maury Schmerbach, Mike Gofron, Rich Mealey, Robert  Blosser, Robert Lampman, Ross Grothe, Roy Vivian, Scott Duncan, Scott Hamel, Steve Copp, Steve Miller, Terry Wilson, Todd Slaght, Tom Millenkamp, and Tommy Skarlis

Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com. The next tournament is the season ending AIM International Walleye Championship at Akaska, SD on September 15 to 17. This tournament will also crown the 2011 AIM J. J. Keller Angler of the year who will receive a $10,000 prize.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM® Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.


Additional AIM Marketing Partners:

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine & MotorGuide, Yamaha Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, Navionics, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, John Butts Outdoors, Luck E Strike Lures, National Fleet Graphics, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort piers, Reef Runner Lures, Hatcams, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, Come By Chance Resort, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service

         

               

                  

                            

Pros competing in the upcoming AIM Pro Walleye Series™ will be “pooling” all their resources on the Mississippi near Dubuque to see who exits as the big winner in the third event on the 2011 tournament schedule. This is because they will be concentrating all their efforts on only two to four of the Big Muddy’s manmade pools. These “pools” are actually lock-controlled lakes which can be 20 miles long. In total, hundreds of miles of Mississippi River along with the hundreds of additional miles of side channel backwaters are all in play during the tournament.
 
The AIM Pro Anglers will also be contending with wing dams, which are manmade structures constructed to channel the current, plus higher-than-normal water levels that have made national news all spring.

The Pros say that whoever pattern’s the river’s “here today, gone tomorrow walleyes” will have a huge advantage.

Bruce “Doc” Samson, who finished third here in an MWC championship in 1988 expects crankbaits and live bait to be the top presentations on the river, which he says has an outstanding walleye population.  Known as “Doctor Sonar” for his electronics expertise (including popular seminars and four DVDs on everything from understanding fishing sonar for beginners to operating the latest Lowrance StructureScan™ units), Samson will be bringing all his electronic knowledge to bear to find fish that will put him in the running.

“I’ve fished it all the way down to Pool 17 from Pool 2 and each is a little different, but you always have to read the current, allow for the dark water, check the wing dams and backwaters,” he said. “Walleyes are walleyes and will relate to current. If the water is high and there is good current flow, our job is to figure out where they are. They are still somewhere,” he added.

Water levels will likely change between pre-fishing and the event, he added. The Pros will have to be prepared and adjust accordingly. “You just have to have lots of spots and make good decisions.”

“Crankbaits typically work well on the Mississippi whether you’re trolling with leadcore line or casting. But at this time of year, live bait usually is the ticket. Usually it’s night crawlers, but at other times they’ll also hit leeches. So whatever they want, I’ll give it to them,” he said.

Heavy summer rains in the area will also add sediment to the water, which is already loaded from recent flood conditions. But regardless of conditions, Samson says there will be plenty of walleye near Dubuque.

“The Mississippi is a wonderful walleye factory. One of the better pools is near Redwing, Minnesota, where there are lots of walleye and saugers. And, Pools 13 and 14 are really good. We’ll be starting on Pool 12 and a lock is right there to fish 11, or you can lock downstream to Pool 13 if you want. 

“The side channels here also will come into play, absolutely. If there’s a heavy flow in the main river the fish will end up in those channels and if they’re deep enough and have decent current themselves, they’ll be big factors.”

Predictions of Pros to Watch: Iowans Skarlis and Carpenter

Samson said that if there was one AIM Pro to watch, the smart money at the tournament headquarters Mystique Casino would be on Iowan Tommy Skarlis. “He fishes here quite a bit. He’s a good jigger and lives nearby so he’ll be a favorite to win. I also think Brandon Carpenter (from Rockwell, in central Iowa) is pretty good on the river. But don’t count out Minnesotan Brett King (winner of the Bay Mills Invitational earlier this month.) He guides on Pool 4,” Samson said.

Hot Wings

Those wings or side channels just may be the ticket for AIM Pro Keith Kavajecz, who won an MWC championship here in the 1980s. “The main technique here might be wing dam fishing,” he said, but only if the current speed drops enough to allow control of your presentation.

Prior to the tourney, water levels were high but falling, and that means walleyes will start setting up on those manmade rock piles jutting into the river from shore to help divert current to mid-river. “The rocks and current breaks draw the fish in and in this part of the Mississippi these dams are very prevalent. Fish hold on them and the key is to find one where the current and depth are to the walleye’s liking. A wing dam may be 150 feet long, but only 20 feet may actually be holding fish,” Kavajecz said. Setting up in the wrong place will mean the difference between cashing a check and going home with a lighter wallet.

However, as Kavajecz pointed out, this is a river. And that means fish may be present one day and gone the next, and if those days are tournament days, you’re either in the running or out of luck.
   
His predictions of the best presentations will be trolling cranks like Berkley Flicker Shads, or current trolling spinner rigs with crawlers. Bigger baits, he said, also may be the key in the river’s stained water. “I won here but that was in fall with lower water and current, so this is like fishing a whole new body of water for me.”

That’s why he says local anglers competing in the tournament will be hoping to cash in using their everyday river knowledge. But, he added, many times locals don’t fare as well as out-of-towners. “Sometimes they’ll know too much, and it’s hard to get away from fishing memories.”

 ‘Dubuque rigging’

One of those locals who will be challenging the other pros is Maury Schmerbach, who has fished walleye since 1989 and has cashed his share of both local and national tournament checks, including the MWC championship in 1998.

“Usually June gets to be an awesome bite. The water is still high here, but it’s dropping 5 to 8 inches a day. The lower it gets the better the bite should get,” Schmerbach predicted. “A lot of the islands are flooded and as walleye get back in the timbers, they’re hard to catch. When the river drops back into its banks it will confine the fish more.

“A lot of walleyes are in the side channels now and if the water drops it will be a whole different bite. They could be there one day and it’ll drop six inches and they’re gone. The whole school will move on you,” he said.

Schmerbach predicts that some anglers will resort to a “Dubuque rig,” a 3/8 ounce jig dropper with a three-to-five-foot plain single hook tipped with a leech or minnow. Those are usually pulled again in front of those wing dams, rocks or sand points.

Local knowledge like that may be the tipping point to a win - or not, as Kavajecz pointed out. “There are quite a few local anglers entering as Pros and you don’t want to count them out,” Schmerbach concluded. “There are some pretty good sticks here.”

No mater the speculation on techniques and locations, everything will be revealed starting on June 22nd. The daily weigh-ins will be held indoors at the Mystique Casino. For fans unable to attend in person, they weigh-ins will also be broadcast live at the AIM website, www.aimfishing.com. The winner will take home a first place price valued at over $25,000 onjune 24th.
   

Plymouth, WI – June 17, 2011

The AIM Pro Walleye Series is scheduled for Dubuque, Iowa on June 22 to 24, 2011. The tournament is sponsored by the Dubuque Area Visitors and Convention Bureau. The location for the daily weigh-ins will be the Mystique Casino. The weigh-ins will be held indoors to eliminate any chance of inclement weather affecting the multi-media show.

The tournament is a Pro-Am format. Each Co-angler will be paired with a different walleye fishing professional for the first two days of the event. The top half of the field of professionals will advance to fish on Day Three, and will be paired with Co-anglers who were selected by a random drawing at the pre-event Rules Meeting.

The AIM Pro Anglers will be competing for a total purse of $51,000 . First place is valued at over $25,000, and includes $5,000 in cash plus a Crestliner 1750 Raptor TE boat, Mercury Optimax 125hp motor, and matching trailer. The remaining payouts are as follows:

·         First Place: $25,000  (Crestliner/Mercury package plus $5,000 cash)

·         Second Place: $5,264

·         Third Place: $4,119

·         Fourth Place: $3,204

·         Fifth Place: $2,517

·         Sixth Place: $2,289

·         Seventh Place: $2,060

·         Eighth Place: $1,831

·         Ninth Place: $1,716

·         Tenth Place: $1,000 *

·         Eleventh Place: $1,000 *

·         Twelfth Place $1,000 *

* The regular AIM payouts extend to the top 30% of the field, or nine Pro Anglers. For this tournament a local business, Miller Electric Supply has “electrified” the payouts by adding three additional slots that will pay $1,000 each for the tenth through twelfth places.

In addition, Lund Boats has offered a contingency bonus of $5,000 to any Lund boat owner that takes first place in any 2011 AIM Pro Walleye Series tournaments. Crestliner Boats will pay a $1,000 bonus to the winner if he or she is fishing from a Crestliner.

Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com. The next tournament is the season ending AIM International Walleye Championship at Akaska, SD on September 15 to 17. This tournament will also crown the 2011 AIM J. J. Keller Angler of the year who will receive a $10,000 prize.

 

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM® Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

 

Additional AIM Marketing Partners:

 

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine & MotorGuide, Yamaha Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, Navionics, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, John Butts Outdoors, Luck E Strike Lures, National Fleet Graphics, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort piers, Reef Runner Lures, Hatcams, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, Come By Chance Resort, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service

 

        

 

               

 

                 

 

                            

Plymouth, WI – June 8, 2011
The AIM Pro Walleye Series rolls into Dubuque, Iowa for the third tournament of the 2011 schedule. The Pro-Am fishing tournament will be held June 22 to 24, 2011. The location for the daily weigh-ins will be the Mystique Casino. The weigh-ins will be held indoors to eliminate any chance of inclement weather affecting the multi-media show.
But the activities start the week before the tournament dates. The AIM Pro Anglers arrive in town early to “pre-fish” and try to unravel the miles of Mississippi River. To welcome the Pro Anglers to town, the Mystique Casino is staging a special “Fish N Chips Poker Tournament” on Friday, June 17th.

The tournament will match up to 15 of the AIM Pro Anglers against up to 25 top poker players from the Mystique Casino. There is no buy-in for this special tournament. Each player will receive 5,000 in non-value tournament chips.
The prize pool will be $2,000, and will pay the top seven winners. The prize money will be distributed as follows:   
•    First Place        $740.00 (37%)
•    2nd Place        $380.00 (19%)
•    3rd Place        $260.00 (13%)
•    4th Place        $220.00 (11%)
•    5th Place        $160.00 (8%)
•    6th Place        $140.00 (7%)
•    7th Place        $100.00 (5%)
Interested Pro Anglers should contact Brandy Welter at the Mystique Casino for more details and the tournament rules.                                                                                                      
Entries are still being accepted for both Pro Anglers and Co-anglers. The Co-angler entry fee is $250 for two days of fishing, each with a different AIM® Pro Angler. After Day Two the number of Pro Anglers is reduced to the top 50% of the field. Half of the Co-angler field will also be selected to fish an additional day for free!
Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM® Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.


Additional AIM Marketing Partners:

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine & MotorGuide, Yamaha Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, Navionics, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, John Butts Outdoors, Luck E Strike Lures, National Fleet Graphics, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort piers, Reef Runner Lures, Hatcams, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, Come By Chance Resort, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service

         

               

                  

                            

Dubuque, Iowa will host the third tournament of the 2011 AIM Pro Walleye Series schedule. The Pro-Am fishing tournament will be held June 22 to 24, 2011. Like all AIM Pro Walleye Series tournaments, there are no restrictions on where the anglers can search for the limits of winning walleyes. This means that the AIM® Pro Anglers will have access to literally hundreds of square miles of the Mississippi River and backwaters.

Located in the Tri-State Area, (where the Mississippi River creates a natural border between Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa) Dubuque is within a day’s drive of the largest cities in the Midwest.  Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city, but is also the most innovative. Dubuque recently completed a nearly $400 million renovation of its riverfront. It is home to museums, historic sites, wineries, and art galleries. This is all in addition to its location on the river which is home to millions of hungry walleyes!

Katie Simmons, Sports and Events Manager for the Dubuque Conventions and Visitors Bureau welcomes the AIM Pro Walleye Series competitors to the area. She said, “When we were offered the opportunity to host the AIM Pro Walleye Series, we knew Dubuque would be a perfect fit. This sport has a considerable amount of community support and we are thrilled to help make this event a success in any way we can”.

This AIM Pro Walleye Series tournament will feature the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ (CRR) format that uses digital photo technology to verify each fish as it is recorded on the Official Scorecard. The fish are then immediately released – where they were caught – and NOT transported to the landing. This means the Pro Anglers can continually upgrade their catch all day, every day. Simply, the Pro Angler who catches the 21 largest walleyes over the three day tournament will win!

CRR also eliminates any delayed mortality from fish released after spending the day in a “livewell”. In fact, these delayed release tournaments have not been allowed on this stretch of the Mississippi River for nearly twenty years for this reason. But the exclusive AIM CRR format was instrumental in receiving a tournament permit that did not require the total harvest of all fish.

Besides the unique format, this tournament will also be unique because of record high water. Water from the farthest northern tributaries continues to swell the Mississippi River. This will be both a blessing and a curse for the AIM Pro Anglers. The blessing will be provided by access to many backwaters where lazy, fat walleyes may be gorging on newly spawning minnows. The curse is that flooded conditions put literally tons of debris in the water and traditional trolling presentations may be continually fouled with grass and twigs.
 
The daily weigh-ins will be hosted by the Mystique Casino. Unlike most tournaments, the daily weigh-ins will be held indoors. This will provide not only protection from the elements but also the optimum conditions for the AIM multi-media stage show that includes photos of the fish as well as on the water video coverage.
Entries are still being accepted for both Pro Anglers and Co-anglers. Pros can enter until June 14th, and Co-anglers can enter until the pre-event Rules Meeting (subject to availability.) The Co-angler entry fee is $250 for two days of fishing, each with a different AIM Pro Angler. After Day Two the number of Pro Anglers is reduced to the top 50% of the field. Half of the Co-angler field will also be selected to fish on Day Three for free!

Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com.

Plymouth, WI – May 27, 2011
The AIM Pro Walleye Series rolls into Dubuque, Iowa for the third tournament of the 2011 schedule. The Pro-Am fishing tournament will be held June 22 to 24, 2011.

This AIM Pro Walleye Series tournament will feature the exclusive AIM Catch-Record-Release™ (CRR) format that uses digital photo technology to verify each fish as it is recorded on the Official Scorecard. The fish are then immediately released – where they were caught – and NOT transported to the landing. This means the Pro Anglers can continually upgrade their catch all day, every day. CRR also means that NO “dead fish” penalties will be assessed at the weigh-in. With this format, the angler who catches the 21 largest walleyes over the three day tournament will win!

The CRR format is significant because traditional “catch and release” walleye tournaments have not been permitted for many years on this stretch of the Mississippi. In the past there have been concerns with fish kills following delayed release events - that is, after spending the day in the “live well” and then being released many miles from where they were caught, many hours later. The exclusive AIM® CRR format was instrumental in receiving a tournament permit that did not require the total harvest of all fish (that is, a “kill” tournament.)
Like all AIM Pro Walleye Series tournaments, there are no restrictions on where the anglers can search for the limits of winning walleyes – as long as they return exactly on time to the check-in. The AIM® Pro Anglers will have access to literally hundreds of square miles of the Mississippi River and backwaters.

Located in the Tri-State Area, (where the Mississippi River creates a natural border between Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa) Dubuque is within a day’s drive of the largest cities in the Midwest (and the homes of many of the AIM® Pro Anglers.) Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city, but is also the most innovative. Dubuque recently completed a nearly $400 million renovation of its riverfront. It is home to museums, historic sites, wineries, and art galleries. This is all in addition to its location on the river which is home to millions of hungry walleyes!
Katie Simmons, Sports and Events Manager for the Dubuque Conventions and Visitors Bureau welcomes the AIM Pro Walleye Series™ competitors to the area. She said, “When we were offered the opportunity to host the second AIM Pro Walleye Series of the 2011 season, we knew Dubuque would be a perfect fit. This sport has a considerable amount of community support and we are thrilled to help make this event a success in any way we can”.

A local Dubuque company, Miller Electric Supply, is also adding to the promotions of the upcoming tournament. Miller Electric will be “electrifying” the payouts by funding an additional three places. All AIM Pro Walleye Series tournaments feature a 100% payback of the Pro Angler entry fees, paying down the top 30% of the field. For the Dubuque event, Miller Electric Supply will be adding three additional payouts of $1,000 each that will be added. This means instead of paying down 15 places in a 50 boat field, that the 16th, 17th, and 18th places will receive $1,000 each, for example.
Entries are still being accepted for both Pro Anglers and Co-anglers. The Co-angler entry fee is $250 for two days of fishing, each with a different AIM® Pro Angler. After Day Two the number of Pro Anglers is reduced to the top 50% of the field. Half of the Co-angler field will also be selected to fish an additional day for free!
Further information about AIM as well as up-to-the-minute updates about tournaments can be found at the AIM web site: www.aimfishing.com.

Anglers Insight Marketing, LLC (AIM) is a unique tournament organization which is owned by stockholders, the majority of which are Professional walleye anglers. AIM® Professionals are among the “All Stars” of professional fishing, with cumulative HUNDREDS of years of tournament experience, including countless tournament victories, series championships, and Angler of the Year titles. This insight and knowledge is now being employed to provide the finest tournament experience for the participants, and the maximum exposure for the host tournament sites and corporate partners.

Additional AIM Marketing Partners:

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Yamaha Marine, Crestliner Boats, JJ Keller Fishing Team, The Reel Shot, Navionics, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, National Fleet Graphics, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort piers, Reef Runner Lures, Hatcams, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, Come By Chance Resort, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service