coming up on Lake Erie -- presented by Cabela’s

Dundee, MI – The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit will host a three-day competition for the 2007 World Walleye Championship on Lake Erie and the Detroit River beginning October 4th. A field of 59 teams qualified during the 2006 season and earned the honor to compete for the title – World Walleye Champions. A title that many dream of … and few attain.

Don Solis of Perronville, MI and Bert Wilson of Gladstone, MI are first cousins that began team tournament fishing 18 years ago. They learned the ropes in the beginning and eventually grew in the number of tournaments they fished. Success inched along. Then in 2001 they made a leap from behind to win the World Walleye Championship in the MWC, held that year on the Mississippi River. They know first hand what the honor is all about. “It’s everybody’s dream – and when it happens it is so emotional it is unreal,” shared Solis. “Our whole family was proud of what we accomplished that year.”

And they will go after it again in 2007. Solis and Wilson are one of the 59 teams competing for their share of the $100,000+ purse that will be handed out at the Cabela’s store in Dundee, Michigan. First place pays out $25,000 cash – and all teams share some portion of the payout. There is no entry fee for the Championship. A complete roster is attached in PDF form.

Each team will be allowed to bring in 5 fish per team per day over the three day tournament. If weather permits they will have all of the Detroit River and many, MANY miles of Lake Erie to work. Kristine Houtman, Director of the Masters Walleye Circuit knows how often Lake Erie can blow up. “We are pleased that we have the river to work with in case we can’t get out on the lake on our tournament days,” shared Houtman. “That way we’re still fishing and not playing Scrabble waiting for a new day.” These boundaries create an opportunity for some really nice big fish – as the anglers should be able to locate the schools that are moving further West as the weather cools. The tournament will be held as a catch and release tournament.

“The circuit records could be broken – for largest fish as well as record single day basket or cumulative weight,” shared Houtman. “Weather permitting, it should be an impressive bite and make for an incredible weigh-in.” The weigh-ins will be held at the Cabela’s store parking lot in Dundee from 4pm to 5pm each afternoon. The public is invited free of charge.

In the evenings several events are planned to assist with the Salvation Army’s Radiothon serving One Child Now. Cabela’s along with 106.7 The Fox will assist the Salvation Army in raising funds to help provide kids with new winter coats, backpacks and school supplies, after school programming and access to summer camp. On Wednesday, October 3rd at 7pm Pat Dailey, known as the “Jimmy Buffet of the Great Lakes” will be live and in concert. Thursday evening, October 4th, Steve Iott will host a family-friendly comedy act from the stage. Five dollar donations for One Child Now will be accepted at the gate both nights. On Friday evening the talented guitarist and blues artist Josh Boyd will perform live at 7pm. Ten dollar donations are requested for One Child Now at the gate for the Friday evening performance.

Throughout the day on Friday and Saturday 106.7 The Fox will host a Radiothon for the benefit of Salvation Army’s One Child Now. "The One Child Now Radiothon is an outstanding opportunity for the local community to impact young lives in a radical way, one at a time. Each donation brings one child closer to a transformed life of wholesome, family-oriented outdoor activities, that they would not be able to engage in otherwise," said Captain Monty Wandling, Eastern Michigan Divisional Youth Secretary.

One Child Now is a program of The Salvation Army Outdoors (TSAO). TSAO is an initiative designed to engage today's youth and their families in outdoor activities such as hunting, target shooting, archery, aquatic stewardship, boating, hiking and camping. Each donation at the One Child Now Radiothon helps supply children in need with a new coat, a backpack with school supplies, after-school programming, and a summer camp experience. Educating and aiding youth in this capacity builds self esteem, helps prevent childhood obesity and teaches positive life skills.

And there are activities during the Championship weekend for young kids and families, too. On Friday afternoon, immediately following the weigh-in (approximately 5:30 pm) the MWC anglers will teach kids how to fish with their very own rod and reel. Parents are encouraged to attend with young children for safety sake, as real hooks or jigs are used in getting rigged up for fishing. Fifty lucky kids will go home with their very own rod and reel along with a tackle box of essential tackle items for slip bobber fishing. Plus, Toyota has donated a bike for a give away – fully rigged with rod holders to take the new gear to the lake or river fishing. On Saturday a Kids Fishing Derby will be held from 9am to 2pm. There’s a lot to do during Championship week for the whole family.

On Wednesday a Pro/Am is held for sponsors and local dignitaries to fish with the Championship teams. It is a fun-fishing day with a $50 Cabela’s gift card at stake for each of the top ten finishers. It is a great way for the community to merge in with the tournament anglers and for everyone to have a good time on the water before the official event begins.

The title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit is Cabela’s – the World’s Foremost Outfitter. Official sponsors are Toyota Trucks, Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, North American Fishing Club and Versus (Vs.) television network. Official sponsors include Tommy Docks, Ice Armor, Food Source Lures, the Inhibitor and Farm & City Insurance Services.

For more information on the World Walleye Championship visit the MWC website at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com or call headquarters toll free at 877-893-7947. While onsite please use Kristine Houtman’s Cell at 612.710.5584.