Brainerd, Minnesota......When asked their opinions, In-Fisherman
Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) anglers voted.  Recently, walleye
competitors named those "best at" trolling, jigging, boat control, and many
other categories.

    Versatility is one of the necessities for success on tour.  PWT pro
anglers must be ready to troll, jig, rig, slip-bobber, bottom-bounce and
know when to switch.  The top 10 pro anglers judged to be the best
all-around anglers under all conditions and all waters follow:

    1.  Mike Gofron, Antioch, IL            6.  Tommy Skarlis,
Walker, MN
    2.  Gary Parsons, Glidden, WI            7.  John Kolinski,
Greenville, WI
    3.  Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, MN        8.  Mark Martin, Twin Lake, MI
    4.  Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, WI        9.  Rick Olson, Mina Lake,
SD
    5.  Gary Gray, Oshkosh, WI            10. Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum,
OH
                            10. Ron Seelhoff,
Burlington, CO 

    Walleye fishing is often done under adverse situations (and
occasionally calm waters), but usually the boat is a major factor in
lure/bait presentations.  Maintaining position over exact spots or
controlling speed can mean the difference between a paycheck and finishing
out of the money.  The Top 10 most successful anglers at boat control,
follow:

    1.  Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, MN        6.  Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum,
OH    
    2.  Mike Gofron, Antioch, IL            6.  Mark Martin, Twin Lake,
MI
    3.  Gary Parsons, Glidden, WI            8.  Daryl Christensen,
Montello, WI
    4.  Bruce Samson, Minnetrista, MN        8.  Rick Olson, Mina Lake,
SD
    5.  Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, WI        10. Tommy Skarlis, Walker,
MN
                            10. Ron Seelhoff,
Burlington, CO

    It should come as no surprise that the anglers listed in these two
surveys are also on the Top 10 list of those who best represent the pro
angler image.  In addition to the anglers above, PWT pros also named Scott
and Marty Glorvigen, Grand Rapids, MN, and Ted Takasaki, East Gull Lake, MN,
to those who uphold the pro "image."  Parsons and Kavajecz were numbers one
and two on this list.

    The walleye fishing ranks include rookies to 20-year veterans.  The
Top 10 list of walleye pro anglers who have had the most influence on the
pros who fish for a living includes most anglers listed in the two surveys
above.  The Top two were Parsons (1st) and Gofron (2nd).  

    Amazing as it seems, Parsons and Gofron traded similar positions for
most lists.  Gofron received the most votes as the pro they would most enjoy
fishing with.  Harsh was second, Parsons third.   The best trollers were
Seelhoff (1st) and Parsons (2nd).  Gofron was first at jigging, with
Christensen second.  And, Gofron was just behind Harsh in the live bait
rigger's Top 10 list.  

    These anglers represent the best of the best among the pro anglers
who fish the PWT tour.  Each season, hundreds of amateur partners fish with
these fishermen and the other pros to learn all they can.  Some fish the
Great Lakes to learn tactics for catching open water, suspended walleyes.
Others elect to fish rivers to find out about vertical jigging, or jump into
a western reservoir tournament to discover key spots that  hold walleyes.  

    Gofron said, "I really like working with my amateur partners and
teaching them.  Once in awhile, my partners have told me they just want to
watch.  After a couple fish, they start asking questions, and the seminar
begins."  Parsons echoed those sentiments, "Fishing every day with a new
person is challenging, but forces me to communicate exactly what we're doing
and why.  From the hook set to the net, I coach my new partners every step
of the way.  They probably would rather I keep quiet, but each bite is
critical to winning Angler of the Year or making it to the Championship.
With so much riding on the special awards and incentives from my sponsors, I
want to catch everything that bites."

    The PWT schedule is posted along with many other details about
competitive walleye fishing and the top 10 lists at
www.professionalwalleyetrail.com.  Opportunities exist for amateurs to ride
along and fish as partners (boat-weight format) in one or as many as six
qualifying tournaments in 2004.

    2004 PWT Schedule

    April 21-23:  Lakes Winneconne, Poygan, Butte des Morts, Winnebago
and the Fox & Wolf                      Rivers, Winneconne,
Wisconsin

    May 12-14:  Missouri River & Lake Francis Case, Chamberlain, South
Dakota

    June 2-4:  Cass Lake Chain, Cass Lake, Minnesota

    June 23-25:  Bull Shoals Lake, Bull Shoals, Arkansas

    July 21-23:  TBA

    August 26-28:  Big Bay de Noc & Little Bay de Noc, Escanaba,
Michigan
    Note:  This is a Thursday, Friday and Saturday event)

    September 17-19:  Mercury Championship, Keweenaw Waterway including
Portage Canal,                       Portage Lake, Torch Lake and
Keweenaw Bay
    Note:  The Friday, Saturday & Sunday Championship includes a Sport Show
 

    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 sponsors include: Mercury Marine, Lund,
Berkley Gulp!, Trilene, PowerBait, Realtree, Nissan, Frenzy, Lowrance,
MinnKota, Optima Batteries, Gander Mountain, Blue Fox, Northland Fishing
Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Coleman, Storm, Eagle Trailers,
Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Drift Control, DeeZee,
Cotton Cordell, Seal Skinz, Aqua-Vu, IMCO, Plano, KeepAlive, Stowmaster.net,
Quantum Performance Tuned rods & reels, Rejuvenade, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts
and  Kwik Pfyt.

Julie Magnuson
Two In-fisherman Drive
Brainerd, MN 56425
218-824-2542
jmagnuson@in-fisherman.com
http://www.professionalwalleyetrail.com

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