The Illinois Walleye Trail conducted its Annual Fall Classic
on Sunday October 19, 2008 in Henry Illinois. The teams arrived
and found that the river was in good condition with surface temps
around 60 and water clarity around 1 foot. Everybody found that
the saugers was in full swing for the fall feedbag and talked
about how many fish were caught prefishing. The main problem was
finding the 14 inch legal fish. Some teams were catching 40 to
50 fish a day with a lot of this years spawners in the 8-10 inch
range. That is a real plus and says we will have a good class
of fish for the next couple of years. On Sunday the field brought
21 6 fish limits to the scales weighing 232 pounds, with a total
of 145 fish being scaled. Big fish of the tournament was a 3.02
pound Sauger. Fish were caught from Henry all the way to the Route
39 bridge using leadcore and shad raps, jig and minnow and pulling
three ways.
Tom Giachetto Jr. and Tom Giachetto Sr. from Ladd Illinois had
the best bag of the day capturing first place with 11.68 pounds
earning them $1,475.00. Along with being the highest placing Lund
Boat owner they received the Loyalty certificate from Hennepin
Marine of $100.00. Placing second was Tom Matejewski from Spring
Valley and Jerry Gott from Lamoile, Illinois with 11.64 pounds
earning them $1,025.00 and big fish pot of $280.00. Rounding out
the top three was Chris Stutz, Andalusia, Illinois and Hector
Ontwerdes from Milan, Illinois with 11.61 pounds cashing $650.00.
Compliments of EZEE Steps, Princeton Illinois, Steve Sanndor was
the winner of the Loyalty $100.00 for being the highest place
boat with a set of easy steps on the trailer.
The Illinois Walleye Trail season begins on Sunday November 2,
2009 with The Hennepin Opener. We would like to Thank our fine
sponsors for there support, Hennepin Marine, Lund Boats, Mercury
Marine, EZee Steps, and Cabelas. If you would like additional
information on the Illinois Walleye Trail contact Bob Kidd 309-527-6328
email walleye1352@fairpoint.net
or check out www.prairielandeyes.com |