The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail pros joined
sports, Hollywood and poker celebrities for a fund-raising (and fun-fishing)
event at Manitoba's Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge, Sept. 20-21.
The winners were pro Mark Christianson, full-time walleye
pro and guide for 29 years and Robert Williamson III, World Series of Poker
pro. In accepting the first place trophy, Williamson said, "This was a
great week and to thank the Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis
(B.E.C.F.F.), I will donate an additional $10,000 to help the cause." With
corporate sponsors, the Foundation realized more than $100,000.
Christianson said, "He's the most positive guy I've ever met. He told me
we'd win before heading out on day one, and he had never caught a walleye.
This was the first measure, photo and release event for the
PWT. Pros were paired with celebrities and their top five fish were counted
each day of the two-day event. The first place team measured a total of
240.75 inches. Second went to pro Bobby Crow and World Series of Poker
winner, Hoyt Corkins with 239.50 inches.
Pro Ron Seelhoff and Discovery Channel's "Survivorman" Les
Stroud tied for third with pro Sheldon Meidinger and actor Rick Schroder.
Both had 238.25 inches. Many pros trolled up their limits daily, however,
jigging spoons and jigs and PowerBait accounted for some fish on this
remote, fly-in lake. In addition to walleyes, anglers landed northern pike
and lake trout.
The other top PWT pro participants included Bill St. Peter,
Jim Carroll, Mark Martin, Dave Van Oss, Daryl Christensen and Andy Kuffer.
This special opportunity was granted to the top 10 pros in the Johnsonville
Angler of the Year race. Their partners were Dale Jensen, Arizona
Diamondbacks owner, Kris King and Mike Gartner, NHL Hall of Famers, Scott
Flansberg, the human calculator, Dave Krieg, former Seattle Seahawks
quarterback, and Don Lamont, Travel Manitoba.
Many special accolades went to the Aikens Lake Lodge staff.
"The setting in Manitoba's wilderness, walleyes of all sizes, the fly-in
experience and food fit for a king were enjoyed by the entire crew," said,
Jim Kalkofen, PWT executive director. PWT sponsors E-Cell and StowMaster
donated an extra $5,000 to the Foundation. Nick Koken representing the
Foundation said, "This was great for the first annual Celebrity Shootout."
Contacts for more information and details are Aikens Lake
Lodge, www.aikenslake.com; Travel Manitoba: www.travelmanitoba.com; and the
Foundation at www.esiason.org. An entire photo gallery is available for
media use at the PWT web site, www.professionalwalleyetrail.com