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| Tom Kemos Claims PWT Walleye Championship |
 |  |  | Tom Kemos lead wire-to-wire for the win |
Wisconsin pro angler Tom Kemos claimed the $115,500 Mercury Championship victory. The Chevy Top 25 pros hit the water at 8 a.m. and returned to the cheers of nearly 4,000 walleye fans in the Bismarck, ND Civic Center.
Kemos motored his Optima Batteries boat about 70 miles down the Missouri River to the Fort Rice area each competition day, Oct. 13-15. Most of the top In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail pros fished from about 12 miles south of Bismarck to the state line.
Kemos vertical jigged, as did second-place pro Scott Fairbairn, Hager City, Wis., and third-place pro Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis. They preferred back channels or eddies below or alongside sandbars. "Getting there was half the fun," Kemos said.
Only four pounds separated the top five pros. Kemos had 36.90 pounds; Fairbairn had 35.09 pounds; Kavajecz weighed 34.66 pounds for $115,500, $45,000 and $18,000 respectively. Kemos won $75,000 including a $10,000 Mercury bonus, a Lund/Mercury boat valued at $35,000, a KwikPfyt mud flap and a diamond ring from Richardson Jewelers in Escanaba, Mich. 2006 was Kemos' best year with a first, a third, a fifth and seven-money finishes in eight events.
Special Championship awards went to Troy Walwood, Grand Haven, Mich., with a 6.64-pounder for the $2,000 Coleman Big Fish award. Ron Gazvoda, Lakewood, CO won the $1,000 E-Cell Heavyweight award for a third-day catch of 15.69 pounds. PWT pros could weigh four fish per day. The average throughout the event was 2.56 pounds. Jeff Taege, Rhinelander, Wis., won the Coleman Cool Under Pressure award. The Optima Top Gun award went to Optima Pro and the Mercury Champion Tommy Kemos.
Based on the comments and testimonials of the amateurs and co-anglers he fished with all season, Bob Propst, Jr., was selected the Norb Wallock Memorial Teaching Award winner. The $500 award honors PWT winner and top-ranked pro Wallock's many accomplishments; he died in 2001.
The Budweiser Conservation award of $5,000 went to the North Dakota Game & Fish Department. Budweiser and McQuade Distributing were PWT conservation partners. The pros donated $500 to Boy Scout Troop 73 for washing boats before they were brought through the Civic Center behind new Chevy trucks.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Mack's Lures, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing's Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner, Bismarck/Mandan CVB, 701.222.4308 and Bismarck Civic Center 701.222.6487 |
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| Kemos, Kavajecz, Muzynoski Top Three at PWT |
With only one day remaining, the top In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail competitor in the 2006 Mercury Championship is Tom Kemos. His weights for the first two days were nearly identical, 12.95 and 13.05 pounds, for 26 total pounds.
Kemos, from Oconomowoc, Wis., ran down the Missouri River about 70 miles, and jigged a tiny spot. Interestingly, he was only a few yards from the second-place pro Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis., who has 24.19 pounds.
Third place pro Jim Muzynoski, Bozeman, Montana, fished about six miles above them, for 23.63 pounds. All three were vertical jigging, as were fourth and fifth place pros Scott Fairbairn, Hager City, Wis., and Dan Stier, Pierre, SD. The Scheel's Top Five and the next four anglers already racked up more weight than the 2002 Merc Championship winning weight when the PWT last visited Bismarck, ND in 2002. Kavajecz won that title.
Troy Walwood, Grand Haven, Mich. landed the Coleman Big Fish of the Championship, 6.64 pounds. The E-Cell Heavyweight leader through two days is pro Todd Riley, Amery, Wis., who weighed a PWT 4-walleye limit at 13.39 pounds.
The Chevy Top 25 final day field will head out at 8 a.m. Sunday with the temperature forecast at 22 degrees, but see the Mercury rise to the mid-60's by weigh-in time. That field includes North Dakota pros Tom Backer, Fargo, and Sheldon Meidinger, Bismarck. Last year's Champion Dave Andersen, Amery, Wis., is 25th.
The elite Chevy Top 25 include five past Champions, 24 PWT tournament winners, six Johnsonville Anglers of the Year, the youngest Championship qualifier, Chase Parsons, Brillion, Wis., 23, and the oldest at 56, Daryl Christensen, Montello, Wis. One of these men will win the first place prize of $100,000.
At Sunday's weigh-in ceremonies inside the Bismarck Civic Center, the Chevy Top 25 will return in order, starting with 25th place. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the Bismarck High School New Generation Jazz Choir, and the boat/pro/walleye parade at 6 p.m. The adjacent Sport Show opens at noon. At 4 p.m., the Lure `em for Life Sport Show booth is the place to be for youngsters. They will pick up gift certificates for Shakespeare rods and reels and redeem them after the ceremonies.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Mack's Lures, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing's Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner, Bismarck/Mandan CVB, 701.222.4308 and Bismarck Civic Center 701.222.6487. |
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| Kemos Claims Day One PWT Championship Lead |
Day one of the 2006 Mercury Championship will go down as the coldest PWT tournament yet. The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail top qualifiers faced 22-degree temperatures when they rolled out of bed, and 29 when they aimed down the Missouri River.
Water temps had dropped 20 degrees to 41 degrees since the world's best walleye pro anglers arrived in Bismarck, ND, one week ago. They qualified by virtue of their successes on the Super Pro series presented by MinnKota and the Regional Series presented by MotorGuide.
Combined with the 20 to 30 mph northwest winds, anglers faced tough conditions. However, Tom Kemos, Oconomowoc, Wis., landed a 4-fish PWT limit for 12.95 pounds. Like a NASCAR driver, he ran out of gas about 200 yards before making it back to the launch ramp. He turned on his bow mount trolling motor and with the power of Optima Batteries, made it back just in time.
The 2002 Bismarck Champion Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis., weighed 11.82 pounds for second place. Jim Muzynoski, Bozeman, Montana, placed third with 11.10 pounds. Tom Backer, Fargo, the highest-ranking North Dakota pro, was fourth with 10.92 pounds. Aqua-Vu Rookie of the Year Pat Neu, Forestville, Wis., was fifth with 10.35 pounds. All had limits.
Kavajecz landed Coleman Big Fish, at 4.60 pounds. Day two opens with temperatures forecast to be cooler, with a warming trend to follow.
The largest day one fan turnout of any previous PWT Championship occurred, with many enjoying the youth activities at the Sport Show. Saturday's gala weigh-in ceremonies start at 6 p.m., with the Sport show open at noon. A smiling 250 youngsters walked home with Plano tackle boxes, and another 250 will do so Saturday. On Sunday, 1,000 youngsters will win Shakespeare rods and reels.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Mack's Lures, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing's Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner, Bismarck/Mandan CVB, 701.222.4308 and Bismarck Civic Center 701.222.6487. |
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| PWT Pros, Fans Ready for Championship Fun |
The Mercury Championship returns to Bismarck Oct. 13-15. During past In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail Championships in North Dakota, the walleye fans turned out in record numbers.
Leading the 51-man field of expert walleye anglers is the Johnsonville Brats Angler of the Year Ron Seelhoff. After a grueling 8-tournament season, Seelhoff accumulated the most points, won the most money, claimed his sixth PWT victory, and brings a previous Bismarck Championship title with him. Michigan pro Bill St. Peter will go out in second position, followed by Bismarck's Sheldon Meidinger, who comes off his best year ever. Wisconsin's Tom Gatzke was the Tommy Docks Regional Angler of the Year.
The contestants work hard on the Missouri River, and then bring the results into the Bismarck Civic Center each afternoon at 6 p.m. Festivities get underway with local bands, choirs, the Army National Guard, and special entertainment at 5 p.m. The stage show, boat parade, free goodies tossed to the fans, music and lights are fun for fishermen and non-fishermen. "It's the show that people love," said Seelhoff. Entry and all seats are free.
The field includes 55 past PWT winners, 10 Championship winners, 11 past Angler of the Year title-holders, and could very well be the toughest Championship field in PWT history. Four anglers represent North Dakota, including Meidinger and Shannon Kehl from the Bismarck area, Jim Carroll from Minot, and Tom Backer from Fargo. Wisconsin sends the most pros, 17, to the big match, where the Champion will net more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. All pros win at least $2,000.
New in 2006 is a Sport Show with a Festival atmosphere. Youngsters are encouraged to participate in the rock climbing wall, the GAMO air rifle range, the paintball range and the fishing pond (catch fish, win prizes, release fish). Boats and tackle will be displayed and for sale. Entry into the Show is free, and opens at noon all three Championship days.
Also new this year is the MDU Youth Day. Pros will visit schools and talk to many students about the outdoors, the fishery, resources, career choices and more. Youngsters will receive 250 Plano tackle boxes on Friday, 250 on Saturday and 1,000 Shakespeare rod & reel combinations on Sunday. They will pick up coupons at the Lure `em for Life booth beginning at 4 p.m. After weigh-ins, they will collect their prizes at the Civic Center North Concourse.
The PWT is working closely with the Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, North Dakota Tourism and hundreds of volunteers. The entire event will be broadcast on the Outdoor Channel in December. The PWT series is now airing three times each week, Monday at 7 p.m., Wednesday at 4 p.m. and Thursday at 12:30 a.m. central times.
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| PWT Set to Fish Missouri River in October |
Bismarck is host-city to the prestigious Mercury Championship, the year-end walleye tournament that draws thousands to the Civic Center. The magic weekend for the 2006 In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail celebration is Oct. 13-15.
Earlier this season, the PWT had considered fishing Lake Sakakawea, but the location has been switched to the river. "When the PWT Advisory Council suggested fishing the Lake more than a year ago, it seemed like the right direction," said Jim Kalkofen, PWT executive director.
However, at a recent Council meeting, the representatives strongly suggested that fishing take place on the River, with a launch site in or near Bismarck. "Their reasons made sense, and with approval of North Dakota Game & Fish, we made the decision," Kalkofen said. Local hosts, the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau and North Dakota Tourism, were in agreement.
The pro anglers on the Council had talked with most of the field, who wanted to spend more time with their many walleye fans at the Sport Show that occurs in conjunction with the festivities. They wanted to schedule evenings with sponsors who are in town and representing their companies at the Show. "They also preferred a few minutes each evening to rest,"
Kalkofen joked.
The Council representatives also noted that when plans were made, fuel was about one-third less than currently. They knew the round-trip on the road and on the water each day would lead to a few extra stops at the Tesoro station. Since the original plans were made, the Council reps heard much about the great "bite" on the River last fall. The PWT contestants have fished the Missouri River waters six times at past Championships.
Fishing will take place on the river, with waters open from the Garrison Dam to the South Dakota border. Fishing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, will be followed by evening weigh-in ceremonies (free to the public) inside the Civic Center. The Championship qualifiers slated to fish will be featured on the website, with more details at www.professionalwalleyetrail.com.
The top 30 in the Johnsonville Angler of the Year race are already set. The Number One angler leading the Championship pack is Ron Seelhoff, a past Champion at Bismarck (and the only 6-time PWT winner).
Bismarck pro angler Sheldon Meidinger qualified for the Championship. He scored a second place, $17,000 check at the Mille Lacs Pro-Am last week.
The final 20 slots will be filled at Bay de Noc next week.
The adjacent Exhibit Hall will house the PWT Outdoor Festival (games and free fun for kids) and the Sport Show with fishing, outdoor and hunting exhibitors and local companies showcasing their products and services. The show space is currently being sold; interested parties should contact the PWT office in Brainerd, Minn., 218-824-2552. |
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