LAST UPDATE 05/24/01
In Fisherman
Professional Walleye Trail

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/ Evertrol Central Pro-Am. 
Lake Mille Lacs Garrison Minnesota May 23-25 2001

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Garrison, Minnesota....Bruce Samson, Cambridge, MN is sitting in a favorite spot, first place, after two days of the Lowrance/Evertroll Central Pro-Am.  He has a total of  35.32 pounds.  He led yesterday, and is the only angler to have landed two walleyes over 28 inches.  Samson won the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) tournament  on Devils Lake two years ago, and has flirted with victories in several events.

Holding second is pro Brian Ney, Baudette, MN, with 27.51 pounds.  In third is pro Norb Wallock, Conover, WI, with 27.46 pounds.  The leading amateur is Dan Graves, Renner, SD.  Only one day remains, with final day weigh-in festivities Friday, starting at 3 p.m. at Phil's Myr Mar Marina, northeast of Garrison. 

Primary patterns are rigging with leeches and slip-bobbering.   Depths in the 13 to 20 foot range proved most productive.  Slip-bobbers with tiny jigs and leeches also proved effective when floated over rocky reefs, especially when three-foot swells swept over the shallow rocks.

State regulations permit walleyes from 16 to 20 inches to be harvested.  And, if a 28-inch trophy is landed, one may be kept per person.   Four were registered on day one; six on day two.  Many walleyes in the 22 to 27 inch range were reported caught and released.  "In fact, like most anglers, we caught more than a dozen walleyes that were too big," said Samson.

Bass Pro Shops big fish for day two again went to Samson.  He won his second $2,000 prize for a 7.64-pounder.  Gary Parsons, Glidden, WI, collected $1,200 for a 6.84 pound walleye.  Amateurs Jeff Oberman, Excelsior, MN, and Gus Murphy, DePere, WI, won $1,025 and $950 respectively for 6.56 and 6.27 pound walleyes. 

Through two days, the 154 boats of one pro and one amateur each have caught 979 fish, averaging about three fish per boat per day.  Most were released, and those judged non-releaseable were donated to the Bethany Good Samaritan House in Brainerd, MN, for  residents of the home. 

Many walleye fans follow the status of their heroes on the PWT live leader board, with instantaneous results  on www.professionalwalleyetrail.com.  More and more anglers are playing along with the pros by selecting a fantasy PWT contingent.  The Fantasy Game can be accessed easily at www.fbc2000.com. 
 

 The PWT is part of PRIMEDIA, Inc., America's leading producer of targeted media headquartered in New York City. PWT sponsors include: Phil's Myr Mar Marina (218-678-2629),the Garrison Commercial Club.

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