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Last update 09-07-98
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"HIGH PLAINS QUEST"
AUGUST 12-16
High Plains Quest Day one Results
High Plains Quest Day two Results
High Plains Quest Day three Results
Team Challenge Day one Results
Team Challenge Day two Results
Veteran Wisconsin
Walleye Wrangler Rounds-up Title in
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"HIGH PLAINS QUEST"
Iowa Hog farmer Eric Naig Grabs second place
Garrison N.D. -After failing to boat a limit
of walleyes from the same locations that produced his Day One and Day Two
qualifying catches, Kaukauna, WI. Angler Keith Kavajecz struck
paydirt on his standby spots locatid on Monday and Tuesday ( the official
pre-tournament practice days ). The standby spots not only yielded the
days best catch for the 39 year old NAWA veteran, but also produced the
heaviest six-fish limit brought to the scales during the three days of
competition in the /
"High Plains Quest" on Lake Sakakawea.Like most of the top anglers in this
field, Kavajecz caught all of his fish by trolling deep-running crankbaits
among the massive schools of smelt, the primary forage for Lake Sakakawea
walleyes. Kavajecz concentrated his fishing efforts to areas where it was
easier to maintain the crucial trolling depth of 35 to 45 feet. With two
lures strung out directly behind the boat, Kavajecz and his amateur partner
utilized
trolling boards to spread out the two remaining lines."It seemed like all
the lines produced fish," Kavajecz told the press contingent. "Once we
determined the color of the day ( the most productive lure color ), we
would switch all our lines to the same color lures." Kavajecz's Day Three
weight was 27.60 pounds, earning him $8,571 in cash and a
Tournament Pro 170 boat,
EFI 150-horsepower motor and trailer valued at $20,000, making his total
purse worth $28,571.Finishing in the runner-up spot was young veteran Eric
Naig, of Cylinder, IA. Naig, who also finished second in NAWA's Lake Mille
Lacs competition this past June, fished areas that were similar to those
chose by Kavajecz. Naig found that the trolling speed was crucial stating
that he tried to keep the boat moving between 3 and 3.5 m.p.h"I discovered
this during practice when making the sweeping turns." Naig said at the
press conference. "When the outside board would speed up and start bouncing,
the fish seemed to respond to that particular llure."Naig's Day Three catch
of 27.10 pounds earned him a total of $7,143.Gary Parsons,
the Chilton, WI pro who led the event after Days One and Two, finishedin
third with a catch weighing 21.83 pounds. Parsons's third place finish
earned him $6,429 in cash winnings.The disappointment in Parson's face
was noticeable as he described losing the fish that could have put him
on the top."They just came unbuttoned," Parsons told reporters after the
awards ceremony. "We had them coming to the boat and we even saw them,
but before we had them to the net they were off."Several of the pros said
the additional fishing pressure from the weekend anglers is changing the
mood of the fish. Many of the areas that yielded fish earlier this week
may not be nearly as productive during the Starcraft/Mercury "Team Challenge"
that kicks off tomorrow morning.Top Ten Professional spots
Place |
Name |
City |
State |
Weight |
Winnings |
1 |
Keith Kavajecz |
Kaukauna |
Wisconsin |
27.60 lbs. |
$28,571 |
2 |
Eric Naig |
Cylinder |
Iowa |
27.10 lbs |
$7,143 |
3 |
Gary Parsons |
Chilton |
Wisconsin |
21.83 lbs |
$6,429 |
4 |
Ross Grothe |
Apple Valley |
Minnesota |
18.82 lbs |
$5,714 |
5 |
Perry Good |
Eagan |
Minnesota |
17.97 lbs |
$5,000 |
6 |
Sam Anderson |
Eagan |
Minnesota |
17.14 lbs |
$4,826 |
7 |
Mike McClelland |
Pierre |
South Dakota |
14.73 lbs |
$3,571 |
8 |
Michael Herrick |
St. Louis Park |
Minnesota |
8.11 lbs |
$3,214 |
9 |
Chuck Miller |
Green Bay |
Wisconsin |
6.76 lbs |
$2,857 |
10 |
Norb Wallock |
Conover |
Wisconsin |
6.47 lbs |
$2,500 |
Sitting atop the amateur standings at the conclusion of the final
day was Jeff Brennan of Garrison, ND. Who came to the scales with 27.60
pounds, having been paired with Keith Kavajecz. Brennan takes home a Starcraft
Starfire 170 boat, Mercury 90 horsepower motor. and matching trailer. Valued
at $13,500.Finishing second in the amateur division was Barry Suydam, Garrison,
ND. Suydam received a $1,200 payday for his efforts. Third place
and $1,000 in winnings went to Brooklyn Park, MN amateur Charles ( Chuck
) Dube. Amateur anglers in the top ten spots include:
Place |
Name |
City |
State |
Weight |
Winnings |
1 |
Jeff Brennan |
Garrison |
North Dakota |
27.60 lbs. |
$13,500 |
2 |
Barry Suydam |
Garrison |
North Dakota |
27.10 lbs |
$1,200 |
3 |
Charles Dube |
Broklyn Park |
Minnesota |
21.83 lbs |
$1,000 |
4 |
Dryan Holan |
Hazen |
North Dakota |
18.82 lbs |
$800 |
5 |
Edward C. Houle |
Belcourt |
North Dakota |
17.97 lbs |
$700 |
6 |
Wade Reid |
Jackson |
Nebraska |
17.14 lbs |
$600 |
7 |
Ervin K. Hamilton |
Leon |
Iowa |
14.73 lbs |
$500 |
8 |
James Sigman |
Hazen |
North Dakota |
8.11 lbs |
$500 |
9 |
Glenn Gray |
Surrey |
North Dakota |
6.76 lbs |
$500 |
10 |
Chris Bahl |
Lincoln |
Nebraska |
6.47 lbs |
$500 |
The anglers caught a total of 250 walleyes weighing 851 lbs. During the
three day competition held at Fort Stephenson State Park.Tournament anglers
will return to the water tomorrow for Day One of the Starcraft/Mercury
"Team Challenge" the fourth of NAWA.s seven exciting high-profile two-day
team competitions.The section gets underway tomorrow at 7a.m. Weigh-in
activities begin at 3:45 p.m. at Fort Stephenson State Park. Beginning
at noon, the public can attend a free mini outdoor sports show featuring
products and hands-on demonstrations from factory experts representing
NAWA sponsors.Young anglers will have an opportunity to test their fishing
skills tomorrow during the NAWA Kids Fishing Contest, also at Fort Stephenson
State Park. These future NAWA pros will compete for prizes in several age
groups. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. at NAWA's Tournament Headquarters
and every angler will win a prize.The NAWA tournament trail now leads to
Green Bay, WI. Aug. 26-30 for theLaCrosse/Hummingbird "Bay
Quest" - a combination "Quest Series" Pro/Am and "Team Challenge" competition.
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