For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:
Kristine Houtman, 612-710-5584
Cabela’s MWC East gets underway for 2006 at Detroit River
and Lake Erie – presented by Ranger Boats
Minnetonka, MN -- One hundred and one boats have registered
for the approaching two-day Cabela’s MWC tournament, which
will launch the East division for the season. April 22nd and
23rd will bring anglers from eleven states, including Colorado,
Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio,
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin as well as Ontario, Canada. Anglers
expect a great tournament with big weights needed to win.
Winning a tournament in this location is never easy. A lot
can depend on the conditions of the moment. Last year, the weather
prevented the teams from getting out on the big lake, forcing
boundaries in the Detroit River only. While that may have been
a disadvantage to some, it became a decided advantage to the
winners; brothers John and Gary Dalzot of Spring Valley, Illinois.
“Staying in the river definitely helped us last year.
We’re river fishermen – that’s what we do
best – and we probably wouldn’t head out to Lake
Erie and try to compete on that water,” shared John Dalzot.
The Dalzots are no strangers to winning MWC tournaments, as
the duo won the Illinois River tournament three consecutive
years, in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Each of those years boasted full
fields of over 200 teams providing the brothers LOTS of competition.
What makes the Dalzots such great fishermen?
“They are extremely good jig fishermen,” shared
Kevin Dahl of Muskego, Wisconsin. He and partner Steve Stack
came in second place in last year’s MWC tournament, just
behind the Dalzots. “The key with jig fishing is hit detection.
The Dalzots know exactly when it is a bite, and when it isn’t.
That makes all the difference in the world. The timing should
be perfect for a great tournament. Everyone will be looking
for post-spawn big females that are hungry” shared Dahl.
Ted “Chief” Doute, President of Downriver Walleye
Federation, thinks the bite will be very strong for the MWC
tournament. He explained that the water temperatures have hovered
in the low 40’s in the North end of the river, and warmer
to the mid-40’s in the South end of the river. A few warm
sunny days could make a big difference. “We need the water
to warm up for the spawn, and it looks like there should be
lots of fish still in the river during the MWC tournament at
this stage.” The Downriver Walleye Federation will be
providing tournament operations along side the MWC staff. The
club assists with boat inspection in the mornings as well as
the weigh-in operations in the afternoon. A dedicated walleye
conservation fund of $15 per boat, or $1515, will be donated
to the Downriver Walleye Federation for their local fisheries
projects on the river. All MWC tournaments carry such a donation
as a way to give back to the local communities that host the
events.
NPAA anglers are hosting a youth fishing clinic on Friday evening
at the Best Western at I-75 and West Road at 6pm. Kids of all
ages are invited to attend, but kids 5th grade and younger are
asked to participate with a parent. Some basic fishing gear
will be included in this free Youth Clinic.
The public is invited to attend the weigh-ins at Elizabeth
Park in Trenton, Michigan from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm on both Saturday
and Sunday. Officials at Elizabeth Park suggest leaving vehicles
inside the park area where there is no fee (compared to the
boat launch area) and walking over to the stage near the boat
launch. MWC weigh-ins are great crowd pleasers with lots of
fun prizes and a chance to talk to the anglers. Kurt Beckstrom,
editor of North American Fisherman magazine will emcee from
the stage. Hopefully, without snowmen alongside this year. “It
was quite a blustery experience last year.” pined Beckstrom.
“Hopefully, we’ll have good weather this year so
that the excellence of the MWC fishermen and witness to the
great fishery can be fully appreciated by crowds of people.
Come on down!”
Openings exist in future MWC tournaments. For more information
go to www.masterswalleyecircuit.com or call the MWC office at
877-893-7947.
Remaining 2006 Schedule
Central Division
June 24/25 – Escanaba, MI – Bays de Noc
Sept 16/17 – Lake City, MN -- Mississippi River
East Division
May 20/21 – Henderson Harbor, NY – Lake Ontario
August 19/20 – Linwood, MI – Saginaw Bay
Exhibition Tournament
July 15/16 – Spirit Lake, ND – Devil’s Lake
World Walleye Championship
October 4-7 – Prairie du Chien, WI – Mississippi
River
Cabela’s is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye
Circuit. Official Sponsors are MotorGuide, Ranger Boats, Mercury
Motors, Lindy Legendary Tackle, Lowrance Electronics, North
American Fishing Club and Outdoor Life Network (OLN). Associate
sponsors are Salmo Performance Lures, Panther Marine-Tech Products,
Tommy Docks, The Inhibitor, Food Source Lures, Ice Armor, Pennzoil
Marine and Walleye Central
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