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North American Walleye Anglers
East Wind Brings Local Anglers Luck
During Day One of Kawasaki/MinnKota "High Plains Quest"
Pro/AM Team Rescues Youths as Canoe Sinks
Wednesday, August 11,1999 - Garrison, ND .... Though an east wind
typically means slow fishing, it brought back to two local professional
anglers, as well as two youngsters here today during Day One of the
Kawasaki/MinnKota Mandan, ND, pro Doug Hermanson and his
Amateur partner Sawn Schaff of Dickinson, ND, captured the early
lead during the first round of competition here today on North Dakota's
famous Lake Sakakawea."
"Fortunately for us, the gusting winds and rough water did not adversely
affect our game plan," Hermanson said during the Day One press
conference. "Sure, boat control was tough but the real key to our
success today was keeping our baits at the correct depth."
Weighing 26.27 lbs of walleyes, Hermanson and Schaff weighed one of
31 six-fish limits brought to the Day One scales. Hermanson said the
bigger fish are holding at a precise depth and any significant variation
in
depth presentation can be critical.
"On a big reservoir like this, the key is to keep moving and searching
for
schools of big active fish," said Hermanson. "Most of our bigger fish are
coming on Reef Runner Ripsticks, and it's proving to be a great bait on
this lake."
One big key to success was locating a number of good fishing locations
before the tournament started, Day One runner up Lorrie Schafer said.
As a local angler, he realized wind often plays a role in the angler's
ability to fish certain portions of the lake.
I had several spots that could be fished under almost any condition," he
explained. "The one spot I chose today was sheltered, so wind wasn't a
factor."
Schafer of Minot, ND, and his amateur partner John Flaherty of
Thornton, CO, weighed a six fish limit totaling 25.14 pounds.
Starting the Day Two competition in third place are Blaine, MN, pro
Jim Bell and amateur Greg Schoneck of Minot, ND, who weighed
23.83 pounds of walleyes.
Two NAWA competitiors cut their fishing time short today due to a cry
for help in the distance. Pierre, SD, pro Dan Stier and his amateur
partner Erie Dearie lure manufacturer Dan Balbicea, Cortland, OH,
scooped a pair of youngsters from harm's way after their canoe
overturned and drifted away.
"The kids were so frightened by the ordeal, they could hardly speak,"
Stier said. "Though weighing life jackets, they were in danger due to the
rough-water conditions of the lake."
NAWA Pro Angler and Amateur anglers in the top 10 spots include:
1.
Doug Hermanson, Mandan, ND
Shawn Schaff, Dickinson, ND
26.27 lbs
2.
Lorrie Schaefer, Minot, ND
John Flaherty, Thornton, CO
25.14 lbs
3.
Jim Bell, Blaine, MN
Greg Schoneck, Minot, ND
23.83 lbs
4.
Dave Anderson, Amery, WI
Troy Child, Dillon, MT
22.31 lbs
5.
Todd Riley, Amery, WI
Erwin Marson, Brandson, SD
21.62 lbs
6.
Sheldon Meidinger, Bismarck, ND
Roger Schumann, Glenburn, SD
20.79 lbs
7.
Ken Seffron, Omaha, NE
Chuck Dube, Brooklyn Oark, MN
20.02lbs
8.
Mike Pehuso, Bismarck, ND
John Carney, West Valley, NY
19.28 lbs
9.
Norb Wallock, Conover, WI
Ken Olson, Roseville, MN
18.49 lbs
10.
Dan Stier, Pierre, SD
Dan Balbincea, Cortland, OH
18.35 lbs
Third-place finishers Jim Bell and his amateur partner Greg Schoneck
caught the Day One "LaCrosse Lunker" $500 Big Fish Award. The
team weighed an 5.96 lbs walleye, the biggest fish of the day.
This event, the fourth on NAWA's 1999 tournament trail, and the third
of four "Quest Series" events leading up to the Cabela's "Quest
Championship", Sept. 22-24, in Red Wing, MN, bring an interesting
format to the world of competitive walleye fishing. The entire field of
professional and amateur anglers competed during the first two days of
the event.
Following tomorrow's Day Two weigh-in, the field will be pared down
to the top 15 pros and amateurs for the final day of competition on
Friday. All of the top 15 anglers from both divisions will cash checks
or
receive prizes. And, though not competing on Day Three, Pro and
Amateur anglers finishing in 16th through 25th place after the Day Two
competition, will also qualify for cash or prizes.
Tournament anglers will return to the water tomorrow for Day Two of
the Kawasaki/Minn Kota "High Plains Quest."
The action gets underway tomorrow at 7 a.m. Weigh-in activities begin
at 3:45 pm here at Garrison's Fort Stevenson State Park. In addition to
seeing some great catches, spectators can also attend a free mini
outdoor sports show featuring products and hands-on demonstrations
from factory experts representing NAWA sponsors.
In addition to this world-class fishing competition, fishing fans can attend
a special water show featuring the Ski nautiques (an exhibition water ski
team) beginning here at 6:30 pm on Saturday.
North American Walleye Anglers
High Winds and Small Craft
Warnings Delay Day Two of
Kawasaki/Minn Kota "High Plains
Quest"
Action Resumes on Friday with "High Plains
Quest" Saturday Features "Quest Finals", "Team
Challenge" and NAWA Kids Fishing Contest
by NAWA Staff
Thursday, August 12,1999 - Garrison, ND .... Many of the
participants in the Kawasaki/Minn Kota "High Plains Quest" spent
today reviewing maps and strategy after NAWA tournament officials
elected to postpone Thursday's Day Two competition due to safety
concerns.
Small craft warnings were issued after high winds (with some gusts in
excess of 50 mph) whipped the sprawling lake to a froth. In addition, a
cold and stinging rain pelted the area throughout most of the morning
and afternoon.
"Safety is always our primary concern in these events," said Cabela's
SQI Fishing Events Director Jim George. "Earlier today we received
reports of four to six-foot swells out on the open water and many of our
anglers are traveling long distances to their fishing locations."
Following tomorrow's Day Two weigh-in, the field will be pared down
to the top 15 pros and amateurs for the final day of competition on
Saturday. All of the top 15 anglers from both divisions will cash checks
or receive prizes. And, through not competing on Day Three, Pro and
Amateur anglers finishing in 16th through 25th place after the Day Two
competition, will also qualify for cash or prizes.
The remaining contestants start from scratch on Day Three, the final
round in this "high-stakes" shootout held at Garrison's Fort Stevenson
State Park.
The 15 professional and amateur contestants qualifying for Saturday's
Day Three finals will depart the launch site just minutes ahead of those
participating in the Kawasaki/Minn Kota "Team Challenge", a two-day
team competition that begins Saturday, also at Garrison's Fort
Stevenson State Park.
The current standings following the Day One competition are as follows:
1.
Doug Hermanson, Mandan, ND
Shawn Schaff, Dickinson, ND
26.27 lbs
2.
Lorrie Schaefer, Minot, ND
John Flaherty, Thornton, CO
25.14 lbs
3.
Jim Bell, Blaine, MN
Greg Schoneck, Minot, ND
23.83 lbs
4.
Dave Anderson, Amery, WI
Troy Child, Dillon, MT
22.31 lbs
5.
Todd Riley, Amery, WI
Erwin Marson, Brandson, SD
21.62 lbs
6.
Sheldon Meidinger, Bismarck, ND
Roger Schumann, Glenburn, SD
20.79 lbs
7.
Ken Seffron, Omaha, NE
Chuck Dube, Brooklyn Oark, MN
20.02lbs
8.
Mike Pehuso, Bismarck, ND
John Carney, West Valley, NY
19.28 lbs
9.
Norb Wallock, Conover, WI
Ken Olson, Roseville, MN
18.49 lbs
10.
Dan Stier, Pierre, SD
Dan Balbincea, Cortland, OH
18.35 lbs
11.
Mark Courts, Harris, MN
William Olsen, Glenburn, ND
17.93 lbs
12.
Tom Darr, Harlin, IN
Glen Gray, Minot, ND
17.84 lbs
13.
Brad Davis, Jackson, WI
Frank Christianson, Blomkest, MN
17.52 lbs
14.
P[at Foster, Little Canada, MN
Donald Nelson, Amery, WI
17.22 lbs
15.
Jim Peterson, Elk River, MN
John Larson, Prior Lake, MN
16.48 lbs
The top Pro prize, valued at nearly $30,000 includes a new Lund 1800
Pro-V Tournament Series boat, 150 horsepower XR6 Mercury motor
and trailer. Amateur anglers will be fishing for a top prize of a new Lund
1700 Angler SS boat, 90 horsepower Mercury motor and trailer valued
at $14,000.
The competition resumes Friday at Fort Stevenson State Park.
Weigh-in activities gets underway at 4 p.m. In addition to seeing some
great catches, spectators can visit with NAWA sponsors and see some
of the latest in fishing and outdoor gear.
Youn anglers will have an opportunity to test their fishing skills Saturday
during NAWA Kids Fishing Contest, also at Fort Stevenson State
Park. These future NAWA pros will compete for prizes in several age
groups. Registration begins at 11:30 am at NAWA's Tournament
Headquarters and every angler will win a prize.
North American Walleye Anglers
NAWA Veteran Jim Bell Earns Title
In Kawasaki/Minn Kota "High Plains
Quest"
by NAWA Staff
Saturday, August 14,1999 - Garrison, ND .... The third time was the
charm in more than one way for one Blaine, MN, professional angler
here today on North Dakota's Lake Sakakawea. Veteran NAWA Pro
Jim Bell collected his third win on his third visit to Lake Sakakawea.
Bell weighed a six-fish limit totaling 25.17 lbs to capture the highly
coveted Pro title in the KAwasaki/Minn Kota "High Plains Quest" at
Fort Stevenson State Park. Bell outdistanced an elite field of the
nation's top professional anglers by weighing the heaviest six-fish limit
brought to the scales during the Day Three competition on this famous
North Dakota lake.
Like many of the anglers finishing on top in this event, Bell was fishing
an area near the beacon- a spot that seemed to produce many of the
larger fish caught during this world-class competition. Here, he refined
his approach earlier this week to catch bigger walleyes -- those needed
to win th event's top prize.
"We've been live-bait rigging with leeches until we boat our first six
fish," Bell told the press contingent. "Then, it was out to the tips of
the
points, where we trolled Reef Runner Ripsticks to catch the bigger
walleyes that took us to the top."
During the final day of competition, Bell maintained the same game plan
he used earlier in the week. Despite the widely varying weather
conditions, his strategies continued to produce quality catches. The lure,
he said, played a key role in his success.
"Instead of a tight wobble, the lure will occasionally kick off to the
side
with an erratic action," Bell explained. "This seemed to trigger strikes
and certainly made a significant difference in my success this week here
on Lake Sakakawea."
Bell's Day Three weight was 25.17 pounds, earning him the top Pro
prize, valued at more than $20,000, including a new Lund 1800 Pro-V
Tournament Series boat, 150 horsepower XR6 Mercury motor and
trailer.
Finishing in the runner-up spot was local pro Sheldon Meidinger, of
Bismarck, ND. Meidinger also fished the same general area throughout
the entire event.
"When it came to big fish, I found that boat speed was critical to
success," Meidinger said at the press conference. "The bigger walleyes
seemed to prefer a faster trolling speed."
Like Ball, Meidinger was using Reef Runner Ripsticks. The blue and
silver colors seemed to be the most productive this week. Meidinger's
Day Three catch of 24.43 pounds earned him a total of $5,371.
Norb Wallock, a Conover, WI, pro, finished in third with a catch
weighing 21.13 pounds. Wallock's third place finish earned him $4,700
in cash winnings.
Sitting atop the amateur standings at the conclusion of the final day was
Gene LaMere of Amery, WI, who came to the scales with 25.17
pounds, have been paired with Jim Bell, LaMere takes home a new
Lund 1700 Angler SS boat, 90 horsepower Mercury motor and trailer
valued at $14,000.
Finishing second in the amateur division was Shawn Schuff of
Dickinson, ND. Schuff received a $470 payday for his efforts. Third
place and $403 in winnings went to Britt, IA, amateur Al Olson.
Bismarck, ND, Pro Sheldon Meidinger and his Amateur partner Shawn
Schuff of Dickinson, ND, captured the $500 Day Three LaCrosse
Lunker Award for their 6.14 lb walleye.
The top five finishers in the Kawasaki/Minn Kota "High Plains Quest"
field are as follows:
1.
Jim Bell, Blaine, MN
Gene LaMere, Amery, WI
25.17 lbs
$20,142 inc Lund
Boat
Lund Boat
2.
Sheldon Meidinger, Bismarck,
ND
Shawn Schaff, Dickinson, ND
24.43 lbs
$5,371
$470
3.
Norb Wallock, Conover, WI
Al Olson, Britt, IA
21.13 lbs
$4,700
$403
4.
Jim Peterson, Elk River, MN
Greg Schoneck, Minot, ND
20.30 lbs
$3,357
$336
5.
Dan Stier, Pierre, SD
Frank Christianson, Blomkest,
MN
14.75lbs
$2,686
$336
Along with the "Quest" finals today, team anglers took to the water for
Day One of the Kawasaki/Minn Kota "Team Challenge", a world-class
fishing event designed specifically for team anglers. The two-day "Team
Challenge" is handled as if it is two separate events. The total prize
money is split in half, with the top teams each day receiving cash and
prizes.
Taking the Day One first place prize were long time fishing partners
Rick Folden from Parshall, ND and Terry Dutchak of Gillette, WY.
Live bait rigs produced the majority of the team's six walleyes weighing
24.85 lbs. The duo dashed from spot to spot fishing at depths of 18 to
20 feet. The pair said they traveled to more than a dozen spots to boat
their winning catch.
The Day One "Team Challenge" winners took home a check for
$1,983.
Teams finishing in the top five spots were:
1.
Rick Folden, Parshall, ND
Terry Dutchak, Gillette, WY
24.85 lbs
$1,983
2.
Brad Jensen, Jamestown, ND
Dick Brewster, Washburn, ND
24.82 lbs
$1,190
3.
Greg Gulhckson, Minot, ND
Loren Desjardins, Minot, ND
24.68 lbs
$1,071
4.
John Courts, Harris, MN
Mark Courts, Harris, MN
24.44 lbs
$595
5.
Richard Schumann, Glenburn, ND
Brad Brandt, Glenburn, ND
23.72 lbs
$476
The North Dakota team of Brad Jenson, Jamestown and Dick
Brewster, Washburn, caught the "Team Challenge" LaCrosse Lunker
$500 Big Fish Award. The team weighed a 6.26 lb walleye, the biggest
fish of the day.
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Tyler Fishing the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Circuit, Masters
Walleye Circuit and the Team Walleye Circuit. All rights reserved.Copyright
1999/2000
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