The Illinois Walleye Trail completed its 2005 season on the
Illinois River at Hennepin, Illinois. Teams from Indiana, and
Illinois found the river in the lower 60's on the surface temps
with good clarity but not much current. Ron Brake from Petersburg,
Illinois and Greg Barry from Springfield, Illinois took the
lead on day one with a solid bag of 6 Saugers scaling 14.24
pounds. They found there fish in the hot water discharge of
the power plant using jigs with Mister Twister Exude Tails.
Day two Ron and Greg stayed with their pattern and again brought
a limit of fish weighing 11.36 pounds for an overall weight
of 25.60 pounds earning them a check for $1,080.00, plus a bonus
check of 250.00 as the first Lund Owner from Hennepin Marine.
They will also receive a Boat Cover from Custom Canvas. 2nd
place honors went to the team of Randy Carroll and Lee Scott
from Oswego, Illinois with a limit each day weighing 24.12 pounds
and big fish honors for the tournament of a 3.37 Sauger earning
them $930.00. Third place went to Gary and Bruce Merkel from
Spring Valley with 24.01 pounds and $455.00. Big fish honors
on Saturday went to Ed Klein from Wayne, Illinois and Don Klein,
from Elgin, Illinois with a 3.14 pound Sauger. The Walleye Anglers
of the Year Award went to John Dalzot, Spring Valley and Tom
Giachetto from Ladd, Illinois. This team competed against 306
teams for the year and accumlelated the most points during the
season. The fund paid them $1,224.00 and they will receive an
invitation to the Cabelas National Championship in 2006 along
with a $1,000.00 certificate from Mercury Marine. We would like
to Thank our fine Sponsors for the 2005 season, Hennepin Marine,
Lund Boats, Mercury Marine, and Custom Canvas. Additional information
can be found at www.prairielandeyes.com
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