Larson and Reinhart Capture Win –

Presented by Versus Television Network

Devils Lake, ND – The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) has been dipping the proverbial toe in the water for the last three years with a Dakota/Minnesota exhibition tournament. The walleye anglers located West of the Mississippi are anxious to see the MWC come out for a full division – and it is looking like that will happen in 2009. The small field at Devils Lake was not a deterrent to making the commitment. “We had a great event in Devils Lake – the quality of the anglers and the quality of the fishery are both top notch,” shared Kristine Houtman, Director of the MWC. Scott Larson of West Fargo and Chris Reinhart of Fargo fished their first MWC and grabbed the win. Their first day basket of 21.70 pounds had them in second place just one pound behind Jerad Newgard, also of Fargo and Luke Pladson of Moorhead, MN. They made up what they needed on Day two with a 21.43 pound basket, totaling 43.13 pounds for their ten fish over two days. It was just 0.17 pounds enough to take first place cashing in $9,464 which included $8,464 for first and $1,000 bonus for Ranger Cup. Newgard and Pladson cashed $3,800 for their second place finish with 42.96 pounds.

“This is an awesome feeling to win a tournament of this caliber with internet and television coverage --- it is really cool,” shared Scott Larson. The tournament was filmed by North American Fisherman’s television crew for a special edition on Versus Television Network, which will air Tuesday, September 16th at 10:30 am with a second airing on Thursday, September 18th at 9:30 am (all times Eastern). The duo worked hard for their first circuit victory and attributed patience along with the hard work as the key to their success. “I’m so tired,” laughed a happy-but-worn-out Chris Reinhart. “We were constantly working in the boat and we haven’t sat down for two days!” They fished slip bobbers with plain #4 hooks tipped with leeches on the East side of Refuge Island in the Pelican Lake area of Devils Lake. “We worked a small break with brush piles in 8’-10’ depth and kept our baits about one foot off the bottom,” added Larson.

Larson and Reinhart extolled enthusiasm for the Cabela’s MWC to make a full West division in 2009. “We’re really excited about this for next year,” added Larson. “We can share expenses in team fishing and with the tournaments in our region, we won’t have to spend so much time or money traveling, which makes the commitment easier if you’re not away from home too much.”

The sentiment and enthusiasm was expressed by many of the anglers on stage as well as after the event wrapped up. “The MWC is so well run and professionally organized -- it a thrill to fish it,” shared Keith Seidlinger of Devils Lake. “We’re really excited to see a West division in 2009 – and are pretty sure that you’ll see the numbers jump up dramatically next year.” Johnnie Candle, guide on Devils Lake who came in 6th, agreed. “So many of the guys were telling me what a great experience their first MWC tournament was – I think you might even see the West out pace the East Division in 2009.” Sounds like a challenge of East vs. West. “There will be a lot of Dakota anglers looking for a circuit to call home in 2009. Many of them would do well to seriously look at the MWC as a place to compete.”

Third place went to Rick Darling of Leeds, North Dakota and Jeff Trana of Devils Lake for their two day weight of 40.73 pounds, cashing in $2,196. Fourth place for 38.34 pounds went to Steve Larson of Argusville, North Dakota and Paul Mund of Fargo paying $1,700, plus a $500 bonus for being the top finishing Ranger Cup team with a Mercury Motor and $250 for Team FCIS (Farm & City Insurance Services). Fifth place went to Ed Hoffman of Gillette, Wyoming and Walt Paddock of Douglas, WY for their 38.09 pound basket cashing in $1,200.

The Oxygenator bonus of $200 was awarded to 6th place team Johnnie Candle of Devils Lake and Dennis Skurulsky of Waukesha, Wisconsin for their 36.24 pound basket. Candle, a board member of the National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) also cashed one of the two $100 bonuses as the top finishing NPAA member. 7th place finisher Jason Feldner of Minnewaukan, North Dakota, also a guide on Devils Lake like Candle, received the other cash bonus of $100. Feldner fished with guiding partner Chris Koth, also of Minnewaukan, and brought in 35.33 pounds

Don Roethler of Bismark, North Dakota was the top finishing angler with a Toyota Tundra and captured the $1,000 bonus from Toyota for his 12th place finish with 32.98 pounds. Roethler fished with Dave Heath of Minot, North Dakota.

Nearly 50 kids turned out for the MWC/NPAA Youth and Family Fishing Clinic on Saturday. Levi Swanson, age 6, won the specially rigged-for-fishing mountain bike donated by Toyota. Levi is the son of Jason and Heather Swanson of International Falls, Minnesota. They were visiting Devils Lake on vacation and staying at Grahams Island State Park, where the tournament was held. The tournament was hosted by the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce and Devils Lake Tourism, which facilitated with tournament operations. They will be the beneficiary of the MWC Conservation Fund of $2,170.

A total of 274 fish were caught by the field of 31 teams weighing 870 pounds. That makes for an average 8.8 fish per team and 28 pound average basket size, with the average fish size at 3.1 pounds.

Complete results from this tournament as well can be found at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com

Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is in their seventh season as the title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include Versus (Vs.) Television Network, MotorGuide, Mercury, Lowrance, Toyota, Ranger Boats and North American Fishing Club. Associate sponsors are Farm & City Insurance Services, The Inhibitor, O2 Oxygenator and Sticker Dude.

Only one qualifying tournament remains in the 2008 schedule and then the Championship will round out the season accordingly:

August 22 – 24 Lake Erie out of Dunkirk, New York

October 1-4, 2008 Lake Erie out of Dundee/Monroe, Michigan

For more information and complete results please visit the MWC website at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com or contact MWC headquarters at 877-893-7947 or by email at: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com