Pro Sam Anderson kicked ‘em around again today.

Sam hasn’t fished much since he lost his Dad, who was a Walleye Tournament Angling legend, but he made the second event he’s fished in a couple years count by bringing home a convincing win. Sam CRR’d a total of 98.92 pounds in only TWO days of competition. He gave credit for the win to his Dad for teaching him patience and spending quality time taking him fishing, and expressed he will do his best to equal that time spent on the water with his sons.

Same accepted the keys to a $35,000.00 1875 Impact Lund powered by a 150 Four Stroke Mercury from Jason Oakes of Lund Boats for the win.

Sam was trolling cranks, as was much of the field, and using his Lowrance Electronics to locate and catch his walleyes. The bite on Lake of the Woods was, according to the field of pros, one of the most enjoyable through pre-fish they had ever experienced. The number of 10 pound plus fish caught by the Pros was truly impressive.

South Dakota Tourism Pro Rick Olson caught the biggest fish of the event, and scored well enough today to take second with 82.94 pounds. Rick moved around quite a bit, heading North today when the recreational anglers converged on the area where he caught most of his fish yesterday. He did very well on a custom painted crank of his own design, one that will remain a secret because he is figuring on fishing another AIM event out of Baudette in 2013.

Nitro/Mercury Pro Keith Kavajecz took third just ounces back from second. In fourth was Rookie Pro Justin Schneider, fifth was Lund Pro Mark Brumbaugh, sixth was Yamaha Pro Ross Grothe, seventh was North Dakota Pro Jim Carroll, eighth was Warrior Pro Brett King, ninth was Nitro/Mercury Pro Gary Parsons, and Rookie Pro Robert Cardenas rounded out the top ten.

Aim Leader Board Final results.

Lund/Mercury Pro Marianne Huskey, anchoring a very successful year for Team Lund Boats, made history taking the 2012 AIM Fishing Angler of the Year award and a check from AIM Sponsor Lund Boats for $10,000.00. Marianne edged out Yamaha Pro Robert Blosser by catching consistent weights for two days, while Robert slipped today. Marianne dedicated the AOY trophy to her Grandfather, who took her fishing when she was young and fueled her passion for fishing, her team partners from Lund Boats, and her family. She and her travleling companion and best friend Matt Pika will be married the first week September.

The Lake of the Woods tournament was the last of the year for Anglers Insight Marketing.  Check out all the video, images, and news from the 2012 AIM circuit on 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.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen’s Guide Service

The next stop on the AIM Professional Walleye Series will be held up at the Lake of the Woods by Baudette, MN from August 16-18, 2012.  Known as “The Walleye Capital of the World”, this area, which is fed by the Rainy River from the south and drains to the Winnipeg River to the northwest, includes the Northwest Angle. The NW Angle is located at the top of the nation---north of north central Minnesota, the “chimney” of Minnesota, and covers over 65,000 miles of shoreline and over 14,000 islands.

The Northwest Angle is actually surrounded by Canada and the area called Islands is the northernmost point in the continental United States, the only point in the US (apart from Alaska) that is north of the 49th parallel. It is attached to Manitoba and is only accessible from the US by boat across the Lake of the Woods, by air or by driving through Canada.
  
The Northwest Angle was determined by the Treaty of Paris between Great Britain and the United States at the end of the American Revolutionary War.  It stated, “That the boundary between U.S. territory and the British possessions to the north would run …..through the Lake of the Woods to the northwestern most point thereof, and from thence on a due west course to the river Mississippi..."

This boundary was based on the “Mitchell Map” – a map that had several inaccuracies; one such error showed the Mississippi river extending too far north.  The parties did not know that the source of the Mississippi was too far south of that point to be intersected by a line running west from the Lake of the Woods.

The Anglo-American Convention of 1818 corrected the error by having the boundary run directly from the northwest point of the lake to the 49th parallel and then westward along it.  It created a chunk of land that is part of Minnesota but cut off from the rest of the state and a situation where driving from one spot in Minnesota to another spot in Minnesota requires a 63 mile drive into Canada and then back into the U.S. even though the two spots are just 18 miles apart.  That land is called, The Northwest Angle and the actual boundary separately the U.S. and Canada runs right through the middle of the Lake of the Woods.

The Northwest Angle and Islands of Lake of the Woods have many many wonderful opportunities for families and outdoorsmen/women.  For example there are anywhere between 250 to 300 species of birds that make their homes throughout the year so it’s a great place for an avid birdman.  The NW Angle also offers the northern-most 9-hole golf course in the contiguous United States.

The AIM Professional Walleye Series knows that the Lake of the Woods area offers a world-class fishery for walleye and many other species of fish too.  Since there hasn’t been a professional tournament in the area for almost ten years, the Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau wanted to bring AIM to town for the opportunity to see the AIM Professional Walleye Anglers in action.  A two year deal was signed with AIM’s "Catch, Record and Release" format.  The anglers will be fishing US waters only.  Since the area of the Lake of the Woods is so immense, there will be plenty of water to cover.  Along with the tournament, the bureau decided to create what will be known as “Walleye Fest” with tons of activities throughout the week.  According to Joe Henry, Executive Director of Tourism for Lake of the Woods, “this week will not only be enticing for the avid walleye anglers, but for families as well.”
 
As mentioned, AIM features a “Catch-Record-Release” format.  The anglers take a digital photo of the walleye lying on an official AIM ruler and then immediately release the walleye.  This format has been extremely well received by the anglers and the communities they represent.  It’s been rewarding to see the walleye return to the depths of the water immediately, especially this season with the high temperatures this summer. These digital images are shown on stage at the weigh-ins as well as streamed online.

This is the only professional fishing circuit where CRR is used and hopefully it leads other circuits to follow suit.  Preserving the resources for future generations is important. Many tournaments in states like MN have slot limits, but with the CRR format the anglers simply take photos of ALL the fish they catch and the top seven longest fish are recorded for the day.  This allows for endless opportunities, with no worries of slot limits, culling or trying to keep fish alive in live wells.  The only difference in this AIM event from the others this season is the use of only one line (rod) per angler.  State laws prohibit the use of more lines.

Tom Briggs, the owner of the Wigwam Resort said, “The thing that will be different, especially for the average angler from the area that fishes in this event, will be their “Mind Set”.  Anglers up here are use to searching for areas to get their slots and in the past we were only allowed to bring in one fish over 28 inches.  It will take a change of thinking to focus on a big fish bite, but it should be fun to have the opportunity to search for those big walleye the area is known for.” 

Brian Ney, the owner of Adrian’s Resort agrees.  “In the past when we fished tournaments up here we had to focus on finding where the 19 inch fish were.  This will be a whole different deal.  The fish are really biting now so it will be interesting to see just how much weight can be brought in with the AIM CRR format.”

Don’t miss out on all the fun.  Please go to www.aimfishing.com and click at the top on NEWS to read more about the upcoming WalleyeFest at Baudette, MN.  The article includes all of the activities that will take place throughout the week.  This includes the locations and the times of the AIM weigh-ins.  The AIM Pro Walleye Series will showcase their daily weigh-ins at Willie Walleye Park in the heart of Baudette on Baudette Bay.  Weigh-ins will take place August 16, 17 and 18 at 5pm but read more because you won’t want to miss out on all of the activities throughout the week.

The article also gives out far more information about the Walleye Fest parade, Kids Fest, Kids Fishing Clinic (free rod and reel combos, t-shirts, tackle for kids), Market on Main, the crowning of a Walleye Queen, a walleye fish fry, plenty of parties, dancing and more.  If you get a chance, make sure you set aside some time to go hear seminars from four top AIM Professional Walleye Anglers.  Admission is $10 or 2 non-perishable items for the Lake of the Woods food shelf. Kids 17 and under are free.  Remember to click on NEWS and check out the AIM web site for the times and locations of every event being held in this upcoming Walleye Fest.

The Lake of the Woods Tourism web site at www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com is also a great source to learn more about Baudette, the Lake of the Woods and the NW Angle. Don’t miss out…..come see the AIM Professional Walleye Series Anglers and enjoy the festivities of WalleyeFest 2012 in Baudette, MN!

Plymouth, WI – July 09, 2012
Baudette, MN  (June 25, 2012)  Lake of the Woods Tourism announced today a festival around the AIM Pro Walleye Series  major three day pro walleye tournament (Aimfishing.com) coming to the area August 16, 17 and 18.  WalleyeFest 2012 activities will take place throughout the week and include a pro walleye seminar, crowning of a Walleye Queen, a walleye fish fry, party and dance at the VFW, a WalleyeFest parade, “Market on Main” (a variety of vendors displaying and selling goods), KidsFest (kids activities include and ng bouncy houses, minnow races, trout pond, Smokey the Bear, kids fishing seminar with free tackle give away for each child) and “Party with the Pros”, a chance on the last night to hang out with the pro walleye anglers at Sportsman’s Lodge. 

The pro walleye seminar will feature Mike Gofron, Scott Duncan, Marianne Huskey and Chase Parsons.  These anglers are amongst the best walleye anglers in the world and will be sharing years of wisdom in one action packed evening.  All proceeds/donations will go to the local food shelf.

In addition to the WalleyeFest 2012 activities, the AIM Pro Walleye Series will showcase their daily weigh-ins at Willie Walleye Park in the heart of Baudette on Baudette Bay.  Weigh-ins will take place August 16, 17 and 18 at 5pm.  AIM features a “Catch-Record-Release” format.  Anglers take a digital photo and immediately release the walleye.  These digital images are shown on stage at the weigh ins as well as streamed online.

“Lake of the Woods has always been a favorite vacation and fishing destination for anglers and families alike” explains Joe Henry, Executive Director of Tourism for Lake of the Woods.  “We thought being the professional walleye fishing spotlight will be on Lake of the Woods and Baudette that week, why not create activities that make this week enticing for not only avid walleye anglers, but families as well.  The excitement around these events is really building and we have every reason to believe this will be a very special week at The Walleye Capital of the World.”

Lake of the Woods including the Rainy River and NW Angle is The Walleye Capital of the World.  This extraordinary body of water covers over 65,000 miles of shoreline and over 14,000 islands.  It is known the world over for its incredible open water and ice fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, camping, ATVing and birding.  Fully equipped resorts and hotels line the lake and river serving guests of all abilities and interests.  Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau is located in Baudette, MN. 
If you would like more information about Lake of the Woods, go to www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com or call 1-800-382-FISH (3474).  To contact or interview Executive Director, Joe Henry, call 1-320-260-7727 or email:  [email protected]

Further information on AIM, It’s Catch Record & Release format as well as their marketing partners can be found at: 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.

AIM Marketing Partners:
Bay Mills Resort & Casinos, Lund Boat Company, Mercury Marine/Motor Guide, Yamaha Marine, Navionics, John Butts Outdoors, Oahe Wings & Walleyes, Luck E Strike Lures, Worldwide Marine Insurance, Pier of d’Nort, Come By Chance Resort, Gemini Custom Apparel, Reef Runner Lures, The Judge Tournament Ruler, Rite in the Rain Paper, G2 Angling, M419 Guide Service, Walleye Madness Guide Service, Allen’s Guide Service