South Dakota GNWC Teams Compete for Title at Angostura Reservoir

By Steve Weisman GNWC Publicity Director

The top 30 teams on the South Dakota Region of the Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) are making final preparations for the South Dakota State Championship of Walleye Fishing which will be held at Angostura Reservoir on August 27-28. The teams will be competing for a guaranteed $5000 for first place, plus trophies. In addition, the winners will receive the Lowrance "YOU WIN!" award of two Lowrance LMS-332C color sonar/GPS units valued at $1400, making the total first place purse worth $6400. Leading the way will be the Yamaha Outboards South Dakota Region Team of the Year Doug Iverson from Pierre, SD and Rolfe Behrend from Brookings, SD. They ended up 14 points ahead of their nearest competitor. Angostura is a huge holding reservoir for the Cheyenne River," said GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer. "It is an excellent walleye fishery, and I expect to see some quality fish brought to the scales." Located 10 miles southeast of Hot Springs, Angostura's water levels fluctuate throughout the summer months because it is also used for irrigation purposes. With 36 miles of shoreline, a maximum depth of 75 feet at full capacity, Angostura offers anglers a variety of underwater structures, vast flats, sandy and rocky shorelines. According to Dave Longacre of Hot Springs, an Angostura regular, who fishes local walleye tournaments each year, Angostura will pose several challenges for the teams. "Angostura is a great fishing lake. It is low, though, because they are drawing water out for irrigation. However, there is still 50-60 feet of water by the dam and 30 feet off the shale banks. What the teams will have to overcome right now is the incredibly clear water and the fact that Angostura is loaded with shad." Longacre continued, "The walleyes are there, and they are in great shape. They have plenty of food. It's going to be a matter of figuring out what presentation will match the baitfish. I really think that there will be some big fish brought in." Although the tournament competition begins on Saturday, August 27, the activities for the South Dakota teams actually begin on Friday evening with the Championship banquet at the Scotty's Roundup. The South Dakota Championship competition headquarters for take-off and weigh-in will be at the marina at the north end of the lake. Saturday's action begins at 7 a.m. with the opening ceremonies and take-off. Weigh-in will be at 3 p.m. Sunday follows the same time frame with the weigh-in festivities beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday's weigh-in will determine who will walk away with the South Dakota State Championship of Walleye Fishing title. "We hope to have a good crowd at each day's weigh-in. It is a great way for the public to witness some great fishing action," noted Barringer. "Weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. each day. The first day will be a day of positioning, but the second day will be for the title. Plus, on the second day, we will find out from the top teams what strategies they used to catch their fish." Special awards will be give out at the Championships including the Cabelas Big Fish Award of a $200 shopping spree for the team that catches the largest walleye during the two-day Championships. In addition, an optional Big Fish Pot will go to the team catching the overall big fish during the Championships. Skeeter Boats is offering an additional $3000 above their GNWC winnings to any owner of a Skeeter boat who wins the Great Plains Championship of Walleye Fishing while fishing in the Skeeter. In addition, the top-finishing Skeeter owner will receive $1000. This extra $1000 is above the $3000 for winning. YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO will offer the Yo So Close Award of an $80 folding net to the three teams finishing just out of the money. TowTector, maker of the premium boat protector for towing vehicles, will offer the Towtector Comeback Award of a Towtector Shield valued at $269 for the team advancing the most places from day one to day two. The FoodSource Lure Company is sponsoring $200 in FoodSource Lures for the top placing family team. Those interested in checking out the standings, reading the releases about any of the seven regions or simply learning more about the circuit can access the GNWC website at www.walleyecup.com. Major national sponsors for the GNWC include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, Aqua-VU, Aqua Innovations, Cabela's and UpNorthOutdoors.com. National championship sponsors are Towtector Shield and the FoodSource Lure Corporation