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| Variation in Presentation Leads to Dukek Win at Lake Bemidji |
A little variation in presentation was worth $1600 to the husband-wife team of Stuart and Brenda Dukek from Bagley, MN as they captured the Lake Bemidji Tournament on the Minnesota Region of the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC), Sunday, June 27.
The Dukeks weighed a six-fish limit weight of 19.26 pounds, and they also brought home the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products for their 5.19-pound walleye. Taking second place and cashing an $800 check was the team of Mike Lundberg from Deer River, MN and Duane Hill from Bemidji, MN with a six-fish limit weighing 18.49 pounds.
Harv Lueck from Akeley, MN and Kent Christenson from Baudette, MN took third place and a check for $550 with six fish weighing 15.0 pounds.
So what was this variation that secured their victory? Well, it was so subtle that other teams around them failed to notice it as they worked the weeds on the east side of Lake Bemidji. While many teams worked the weed edges, the Dukeks worked in a zigzag pattern in and out of the weeds, up and down the 8-14 foot shelf with Lindy rigs and live bait.
"Start and Brenda are newcomers to the GNWC. What a way to start their GNWC career. Their winning presentation goes to show how even the slightest variation can mean the difference between winning and losing," said Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer.
Barringer continued, "This is a nice northwoods community, and Lake Bemidji is a terrific fishery. The GNWC will definitely be back again. I'd like to thank all of the volunteers for their response and the help that the Gander Mountain staff gave us. We also had a great, enthusiastic crowd at the weigh-in."
Special awards include the following. The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 was awarded to the three teams that placed out of the money. Those teams include John Backman from Embarrass, MN and Shannon Schultz from Eveleth, MN in 13th place; Corey Bjorgaard from Inner Grove Heights, MN and David Domonoske from Waterville, MN in 14th place; and John Newland from Bemidji, MN and Logan Olson from Laporte, MN in 15th place.
William Murch from Shakopee, MN and Tim Murch from St. Louis Park, MN won the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree.
Bjorgaard and Domonoski continue to lead the race for the Minnesota Region Team of the Year with 21 points. Tim Hinrichs from Bemidji, MN and Jeff Putman from Dassel, MN are second with 28 points.
For complete results of the Lake Bemidji tournament, check out the Gander Mountain GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com.
Next up for the Minnesota Region will be Lake Vermilion on Sunday, August 1.
Anglers interested in signing up for the final qualifier or simply wanting more information on the GNWC circuit can call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or they can email the GNWC at [email protected].
Title Sponsor for the Gander Mountain GNWC is Gander Mountain with other major national sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com. |
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| Lake Bemidji Next Stop for Minnesota Teams |
The third tournament for the Minnesota Region of the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) is set for Sunday, June 27 on Lake Bemidji.
With over 6400 surface acres and excellent water clarity, Lake Bemidji promises to be a challenge for the Minnesota teams as they position themselves to make a run at qualifying for the Minnesota Regional Championships on Big Stone Lake, September 18-19.
According to DNR officials, Lake Bemidji has had good recruitment every year through natural reproduction. Two of the stronger year classes are the 1999-year class which is now in the 15-19 inch category, along with the 2001-year class which is in now approaching 13 inches. DNR surveys also show that Lake Bemidji has good numbers of trophy walleyes.
Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer sees the Lake Bemidji tournament as a pivotal one for the teams in the Minnesota Region. "We're already at the third tournament, so these teams are beginning to position themselves for a shot at the Minnesota Regional Championship to be held at Big Stone Lake September 18-19."
As the teams put their game plan together, they will need to take water clarity into consideration. A overcast day will most likely allow the walleyes to come up on the shallower bars, while a bright, sunny day will most like drive the fish into deeper water.
Openings still exist for the Lake Bemidji qualifier and Barringer encourages interested anglers to contact him at 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or email the GNWC at [email protected].
According to Barringer, competing teams should be at Cameron Park between 6-6:30 Sunday morning to sign in and participate in mandatory boat inspections. However, the tournament director will have the GNWC trailer at the check-in site from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday evening to answer questions and to take any late registrations. Host bait shop will be Gander Mountain.
The tournament hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weigh-in begins precisely at 3 p.m., with awards to follow. "We've got a great circuit going in Minnesota, and I hope people come out to the weigh-in to see what these teams can do. The weigh-in is a great time to not only see the fish that come to the scale, but to also learn what the walleyes are biting on," added Barringer.
Heading into the Lake Bemidji tournament, Corey Bjorgaard from Inver Grove Heights, MN and David Domonoski from Waterville, MN are 11 points ahead of their nearest competitor in the race for the Minnesota Region Team of the Year.
Anglers interested in checking out the standings, reading the releases about any of the eight regions or simply learning more about the circuit can access the Gander Mountain GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com. |
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