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DALZOT BROTHERS WIN CABELA'S MWC EAST TOURNEY WINTER DESCENDS
ON MICHIGAN - IN APRIL!
Minnetonka, MN -
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Brothers John and Gary Dalzot of Spring Valley, Illinois
endured the harshest tournament conditions MWC anglers have
ever faced. The Cabela's Masters Walleye Circuit East Division
2005 season opener, presented by Lindy Legendary Tackle,
was held April 23 & 24 on the phenomenal Michigan fishery,
the Detroit River. The team's ten fish MWC allowable limit
totaled 42.63 pounds. The Dalzot brothers have been crowned
MWC tourney winners several times before. In fact, in 2000,
2001 and 2002 the duo made circuit history by winning each
of the season openers on the Illinois River, creating a
three-peat that Illinois residents had only attributed to
Michael Jordan. |
Walleye fans have been bullish on the Dalzots ever since. Just
one month ago, on the 2005 MWC Central Division season opener
on their home waters, the well known brothers finished in fifteenth
place, cashing a check for just under $1,500. This Detroit River
tournament win netted the pair 10 times that amount - taking
home $15,000! "We just got a little lucky at the end I guess,"
John Dalzot stated modestly on stage with the "big check" in
hand. The team, known for their vertical jigging prowess, used
3/8 or ½ oz. jigs tipped with shiner minnows, depending on the
wind. The fish came early on Saturday and yet on Sunday the
bite didn't turn on until 1 o'clock. Their last fish came just
as they needed to head in for their scheduled flight time. "Keeping
the jig on the bottom was the key" added brother Gary. "Even
dragging it along the bottom was often how they liked to get
it." The pair fished both days in the Wyandotte area of the
river.
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The Wisconsin native team of Wayne Butz & Don Frederick
brought in two impressive baskets; but came up 3.8 lbs.
short. "We were hoping for that number one position," pined
Don. "We did have fun catching a lot of fish this tournament
in spite of the weather" added Wayne. This pair also vertical
jigged with ½ to 3/4 oz jigs tipped with crawlers and minnows.
They took 3rd place, just behind Kevin Dahl and Steve Stack
of Muskego, WI. One-tenth of a pound separated the 2nd and
3rd place teams. The field of 104 teams endured some of
the most grueling tournament conditions the 21-year old
circuit has ever encountered. |
While the pre-fishing weather started out sunny and 80 degrees,
by Saturday there were gale force winds, closing the Lake Erie
portion of the tournament. Cold temperatures coupled with high
winds and rain made for a miserable first day. And then the
temperatures dropped even further - turning the rain into snow.
"You know it's pretty bad when your staff and sponsors build
snowmen!" added Kristine Houtman, Director of Events & Sponsorships
for the MWC. Cabela's, Lowrance and Ranger Boats hats adorned
the late season Frosties that stood sentinel alongside the stage.
Bill Greczyn of Tully, New York knew it was time to come in
a little early on Sunday when his wife, Linda, whacked him with
a snowball from the bow of the boat. The top 18 teams shared
the $50,850 cash purse. An additional $1762 was paid in big
fish prize money. The New York team of Ernie Brown (Warners)
and Michael Tankersley (Pennellville) took home the big fish
of the tournament at 7.59 lbs. The second-place finishing team
of Dahl and Stack captured the $1,000 Ranger Cup bonus money
as well as the Salmo Lures bonus of $250. The local walleye
club, Downriver Walleye Federation (DWF), assisted with tournament
operations. They received $1575 to use for fisheries related
projects along the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Tournament Statistics
Number of teams: 104 Number of fish: 545 Total cash and prizes:
$53,862 Total weight: 1466.1 lbs. Water temp: 49 Day 1; 46 Day
2 Big fish: 7.59 lbs. Water level: Normal Winning pattern: Vertical
Jigging Water clarity: 2 feet Inside tip: Drag jig along the
bottom (and buy lots of jigs!) Openings exist in most of the
remaining 2005 MWC tournaments, however, the Lake Winnebago
tournament is full. Entry fee is $600 per team. Further tournament
information can be obtained at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com,
or by calling the MWC toll-free at 877-893-7947. 2005 Cabela's
MWC Remaining Schedule MWC Central Oshkosh, WI, Lake Winnebago,
June 25 & 26 Menominee, MI, Bay of Green Bay, July 16 & 17 MWC
East Henderson Harbor, NY, Lake Ontario, May 21 & 22 Dunkirk,
NY, Lake Erie, August 19-21 In addition to Cabela's, MWC sponsors
include - Lowrance Electronics, Lindy Legendary Tackle, Mercury
Marine, MotorGuide, Ranger Boats, The Outdoor Channel, North
American Fishing Club, Salmo Performance Lures, Daiichi Hooks,
Panther Marine, Aqua Innovations and Walleye Central. Kevin
Kuiper, third place
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