LEECH LAKE IN WALKER, MINNESOTA, WALLEYE TOURNAMENT POSTPONED
Fishing the WildSide, host of the $100,000.00 Evinrude Walleye
Classic, announced Friday that it is postponing the June fishing
tournament on Leech Lake for one year. This is due to changes
in the sponsors’ marketing direction and strategies for
this year. It will also relieve pressure on an already sensitive,
but resurging fishery.
“The event is not going away. It just needs some massaging
to be beneficial to the participants,” said Chip Leer,
Tournament Director.
The $100,000 Evinrude Walleye Classic is one of the largest
independent walleye events in the country and has drawn over
450 anglers in years past. The 2005 participation dropped to
a 10 year low with only 99 teams, or 198 anglers, taking part
in the two day event.
Even though the 1st place prize in 2005 was the largest in
the tournament’s history, including two new Evinrude E
TEC engines, Lund Boats on EZ Loader Trailers; angler interest
was less than 50% of previous years. Event organizers believe
the major reason for decline in interest was angler uncertainty
of the newly imposed walleye “slot” limit on Leech
Lake.
“After what we saw happened to participation and payback
to anglers in 2005, we knew we had to rebuild the tournament.
The tournament grew to its monumental size because of a unique
divisional format giving anglers of any ability a solid chance
to win prizes. The Fishing the WildSide staff has re-structured
the tournament in new ways to level the playing field for all
anglers and work within the walleye regulations on Leech Lake.
Unfortunately, at this point in time all of the pieces necessary
for a successful event in 2006 are not in place. The Fishing
the WildSide staff unanimously agrees not to move forward until
we can provide anglers, the community and sponsors an event
that is bigger and better than anything we have ever done before,”
states Leer.
“We are disappointed to see this event not held this
year as it generates tremendous revenue for the Walker area,
and Walker is home for Fishing the WildSide. However, by giving
Leech Lake a rest during the prime bite, we will alleviate pressure
on our emerging walleye population. And re-establishing the
Leech Lake walleye fishery is vital to our long-term fiscal
stability of this community,” said Fishing the WildSide’s
General Manager, Mike Finé.
Fishing the WildSide would like to express a sincere “thank
you” to anglers who have fished the event in previous
years while apologizing for any inconvenience the postponement
may have caused. However, you may want to keep in mind Leer’s
closing statement “When you see what we have planned,
there is no question the long wait was worth it!”
Fishing the WildSide will reveal the upcoming details on their
website as they become available. You will want to check the
website, www.fishingthewildside.com, often for updates on the
2007 tournament and further Fishing the WildSide happenings.
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