LAST UPDATE 05/26/01
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 . . . .In his standard winning pattern, Bruce Samson, Cambridge, MN led wire-to-wire to win the Lowrance/Evertroll Central Pro-Am on Lake Mille Lacs.  He did the same when he won the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) tournament  on Devils Lake two years ago. 
 

Bruce Samson Claims his second PWT victory

Samson, a full-time doctor and dedicated competitive professional angler netted 45.57 pounds over the 3-day event to beat 154 pros.  He won $54,500, which included a 20-foot Lund boat, 200-horsepower Mercury outboard and Eagle trailer.  He diligently floated slip-bobbers with leeches on Northland 1/32nd ounce jigs over Indian Point reef in the southeast portion of Minnesota's most famous walleye lake.

  He also pitched an Eagle Claw Lazer sharp #8 hook and leech with a tiny split shot for some walleyes.

"I owe my success to Mille Lacs master bobber angler Jerry Anderson (former guide and pro-angler now living in Virginia, MN), for teaching me his tricks," Samson said, "The spot on the spot is absolutely critical." 

Other anglers preferred Lindy and Roach rigging in the 13 to 20 foot depths; leeches proved the best bait.  Brian Ney, Baudette, MN, rigged in Vineland Bay for second.  He weighed  41.41 pounds and won $15,000.   Third place pro Norb Wallock, Conover, WI, weighed 40.35 pounds for $10,000.  The top amateur, Dan Graves, Renner, SD, won a 17-foot Lund boat and Mercury outboard valued at $12,500.  Amateurs fish with a different pro each of the three days in the combined boat-weight format.   Both amateurs and pros won a total of $250,000 in cash and merchandise.

Bass Pro Shops big fish for the tournament was caught on the final day by pro Steve Poll, Fond du Lac, WI.  His 8.56 pound walleye was worth $2,500.  Second place big fish on the final day went to pro Dan Stier, Pierre, SD for a 7.61-pounder.  It paid $1,200.  Amateur Trevor Wilkey, Iowa City, IA won $1,025 for a 7.53 pound walleye.  Pro Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI, caught a 7.23 pound walleye in the last two minutes to claim $950.  He also placed fourth in the tournament.

Other special awards included  pro Todd Riley, Amery, WI  who advanced 94  places through the course of the tournament to win the $1,000 Coleman Cool Under Pressure award.  Amateur Ron Smith, Hudson, WI  advanced 124 places to win $600.   Samson won the Storm heavyweight award of $500, with his day one catch of 19.61 pounds.  His amateur partner Ron Smith, won $300.  Wallock won the $500 T-H Marine "Live Release" award.   Most of the 1,527 walleyes were released.  Those judged non-releaseable were donated to the Bethany Good Samaritan House in Brainerd, MN, for  residents of the home. 

Leading the In-Fisherman Angler of the Year race is pro Tommy Skarlis, Walker, MN with an eight pound advantage over Gary Gray, Oshkosh, WI.  They are among the pros fishing the entire 6-tournament circuit.  Samson is atop the Dee Zee Western Division (three PWT tournament) standings. 

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 at www.fbc2000.com, a fantasy walleye game that can be "fished" in front of a home computer. 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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