VALLEY CITY, ND, October 8th, 2007: The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA), a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members, wants to congratulate the following NPAA members: 2007 FLW Champion and BF Goodrich Pro - Dustin Kjelden #274 from Brookings, SD and 2nd Place Evinrude Pro – Scott Fairbairn #99 from Hager City, WI. The FLW Championship was held on Lake Erie, out of Cleveland, OH, Sept. 27-30th, 2007 and Kjelden and Fairbairn earned an industry leading payout of $150,000 and $75,000 respectively.

Kjelden’s catch set a new record for the FLW Walleye Tour Championship weighing 62.00lbs. slow-trolling spinners on the “Walleye Factory” known as Lake Erie. Kjelden said, “I gave this championship everything I had and noticed the bigger fish were higher in the water column, along with the idea I knew were they were headed.” His hunch was correct, and his hard work led him to a huge catch on day 3, weighing 39.03lbs. and 22.13lbs. on day four for the victory. Kjelden is sponsored by Ranger Boats, Evinrude Motors, Lowrance Electronics, Northland Tackle, Salmo Lures, and Motorguide Trolling Motors.

Fairbairn, a former NPAA Board Member and Secretary of the NPAA, is still very active today. During practice and the first day of the event, Fairbairn did well trolling the bottom of the water column with Deep Purpledecent Rapala Taildancers catching less fish than the majority, but connecting with the bigger specimens. This bite seemed less productive on day two as he switched to trolling spinners on massive Lake Erie and held this pattern throughout the event. Fairbairn is sponsored by Evinrude, Rapala, Minnkota, Hummingbird, Cannon, Northland Tackle, Mustad Ultrapoint and Ultraline, and www.thenextbite.com

During the four days of competition only ten FLW contestants compete on the last two days of the Championship. Making the top-ten cut were five other NPAA members for a total of seven, 70% of the field. In winning order: BF Goodrich Pro Dustin Kjelden #274 from Brookings, SD – ’07 FLW Champion, Evinrude Pro Scott Fairbairn #99 from Hager City, WI – 2nd Place, Ranger Pro David Kolb #607 from Ada, MI – 6th Place, Yamaha Pro Ross Grothe #64 from Northfield, MN – 7th Place, Yamaha Pro Jason Kerr #600 from Holly, MI – 8th Place, Evinrude/Coleman Pro Tommy Skarlis #11 from Waukon, IA – 9th Place, and Ranger Pro John Gillman #871from Freeland, MI – 10th Place.

To learn more about the NPAA and its members go to www.npaa.net