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Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) Gofron Holds Lead; 1 Fishing Day Remains for PWT Championship Pros |
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by Sally Simpson-In-Fisherman-PWT
09/14/2001 - Bismarck, North Dakota .... A rousing welcome greeted each Dodge/Mercury Championship contestant today. The 45 "Best-of-the-Best" anglers were spotlighted as they paraded in front of the large Bismarck Civic Center crowd.
Day two Championship fan emotion peaked when In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) pro Daryl Christensen pulled a 6.23 pound walleye from his livewell. The former Walleye Super Pro winner from Montello, WI, could be the Bass Pro Shops "big fish" of the tournament worth $1,000. He said he was more interested in the $100,000 first prize tomorrow of the nearly $250,000 total purse
Still holding down first place is day one leader Mike Gofron, Antioch, IL. A PWT winner last year, he weighed 9.27 pounds today and carries 18.15 pounds forward to the third and final day tomorrow. Gofron has more top 10 PWT finishes (23) than any other pro.
In second with a total of 17.16 pounds is Jimmy Bell, Ham Lake, MN. The third place pro is Jim Peterson, Elk River, MN with 17.05 pounds.
The pros were matched against Mother Nature and the rainy, cool, windy conditions on the Missouri River and the upper reaches of Lake Oahe. Despite the 50-degree day, 33 anglers landed 5-fish limits. Each pro could keep fish from 14 to 18 inches with only one over 18 inches. Most anglers caught dozens of walleyes and were impressed with the quantity and quality of the walleyes.
At noon the PWT contestants all reeled in their lines and observed 15 minutes of personal reflection and prayer. Earlier in the week, they unanimously agreed to continue with the Championship, knowing that the Bismarck community leaders and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven requested they proceed despite the national tragedy.
The Civic Center festivities were supplemented with a tackle, boat and youth fun-fair Sportshow in the adjacent Exhibit Hall. The first 500 youngsters received free Plano tackle boxes. On Saturday, the first 500 youngsters receive Silstar spinning rod and reels. All Championship activities are free to fishing fans, with stage activities commencing at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
The PWT is part of PRIMEDIA, Inc., America's leading producer of targeted media headquartered in New York City. PWT sponsors include: Aqua Vu, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley PowerBait, Berkley Trilene, Blue Fox Tackle, Carhartt, Coleman, Cotton Cordell, Daiichi hooks, Dee Zee, Dodge truck, Eagle Claw, Eagle Trailers, Evercel, Flambeau, Guest chargers, IMCO Boat Buckles Lindy Little Joe, Lowrance Electronics, Lund Boats, Mack's Lure, Marinco, Mercury Outboards, MinnKota, Rapala Lures, Northland Tackle, Oceanwave sunglasses, Pinnacle rods and reels, Plano, RAM, Raytheon Marine, Real Tree, Shimano rods, Storm Lures, T-H Marine, Yamaha all terrain vehicles, Bismarck/Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau (800-767-3555) and North Dakota Tourism (800-HELLOND).
| Day
2 Rank |
Day
1 Rank |
Name | City | State | #Fish | Day
1 Wgt |
Day
2 Wgt |
Tot Wgt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Mike Gofron | Antioch | IL | 10 | 8.88 | 9.27 | 18.15 |
| 2 | 4 | Jimmy Bell | Ham Lake | MN | 10 | 8.35 | 8.81 | 17.16 |
| 3 | 3 | Jim Peterson | Elk River | MN | 10 | 8.51 | 8.54 | 17.05 |
| 4 | 5 | Scott Fairbairn | Walker | MN | 10 | 8.33 | 8.14 | 16.47 |
| 5 | 12 | Gary Gray | Oshkosh | WI | 10 | 7.76 | 8.68 | 16.44 |
| 6 | 7 | Dan Stier | Pierre | SD | 10 | 8.09 | 8.23 | 16.32 |
| 7 | 2 | Tom Backer | Fargo | ND | 10 | 8.66 | 7.54 | 16.2 |
| 8 | 29 | Ron Seelhoff | Burlington | CO | 10 | 6.58 | 9.56 | 16.14 |
| 9 | 20 | Daryl Christensen | Montello | WI | 8 | 7.14 | 8.81 | 15.95 |
| 10 | 22 | Mark Martin | Twin Lake | MI | 10 | 7.09 | 8.58 | 15.67 |
| 11 | 16 | Mark Brumbaugh | Arcanum | OH | 10 | 7.57 | 8.02 | 15.59 |
| 12 | 6 | Todd Frank | Pulaski | NY | 10 | 8.22 | 7.23 | 15.45 |
| 13 | 24 | Will Lage | Rapid City | SD | 10 | 7.03 | 8.26 | 15.29 |
| 14 | 23 | Keith Kavajecz | Kaukauna | WI | 10 | 7.06 | 8.13 | 15.19 |
| 15 | 26 | Les Vietz | Bismarck | ND | 10 | 7 | 8.09 | 15.09 |
| 16 | 8 | Dave Kraft | Bismarck | ND | 10 | 8.07 | 7.01 | 15.08 |
| 17 | 18 | Rick Walter | Casper | WY | 10 | 7.46 | 7.55 | 15.01 |
| 18 | 27 | Perry Good | Eagan | MN | 10 | 6.9 | 8.09 | 14.99 |
| 19 | 17 | Eric Naig | Cylinder | IA | 10 | 7.47 | 7.36 | 14.83 |
| 20 | 14 | Ted Takasaki | East Gull Lake | MN | 10 | 7.65 | 7.07 | 14.72 |
| 21 | 10 | Keith Segar | Muskegon | MI | 10 | 7.94 | 6.74 | 14.68 |
| 22 | 9 | Gary Parsons | Glidden | WI | 10 | 7.94 | 6.61 | 14.55 |
| 23 | 21 | John Kolinski | Menasha | WI | 10 | 7.12 | 7.39 | 14.51 |
| 24 | 30 | Bill St Peter | Bay City | MI | 10 | 6.41 | 7.71 | 14.12 |
| 25 | 13 | Dan Plautz | Muskego | WI | 9 | 7.74 | 5.84 | 13.58 |
| 26 | 19 | Rick Olson | Mina | SD | 10 | 7.21 | 6.25 | 13.46 |
| 27 | 28 | James Myszkewicz | Burlington | WI | 10 | 6.58 | 6.85 | 13.43 |
| 28 | 36 | Tommy Skarlis | Walker | MN | 9 | 4.96 | 8.07 | 13.03 |
| 29 | 31 | Bill Ortiz | Dodgeville | WI | 10 | 6.4 | 6.27 | 12.67 |
| 30 | 37 | Norb Wallock | Conover | WI | 8 | 4.77 | 7.17 | 11.94 |
| 31 | 34 | George Barach | Barryton | MI | 9 | 5.11 | 6.78 | 11.89 |
| 32 | 15 | Doug Burns | Estherville | IA | 8 | 7.58 | 4.29 | 11.87 |
| 33 | 32 | Dean Miller | Stevens Point | WI | 9 | 6.3 | 5.39 | 11.69 |
| 34 | 11 | Jeff Taege | Rhinelander | WI | 8 | 7.78 | 3.82 | 11.6 |
| 35 | 39 | Mark Broderick | East Bethel | MN | 7 | 4.05 | 6.91 | 10.96 |
| 36 | 38 | Johnnie Candle | Devils Lake | ND | 8 | 4.36 | 6.15 | 10.51 |
| 37 | 41 | Tony Puccio | Madison | WI | 7 | 2.87 | 7.12 | 9.99 |
| 38 | 33 | Pete Harsh | Sauk Centre | MN | 7 | 5.52 | 3.59 | 9.11 |
| 39 | 44 | Rick LaCourse | Oregon | OH | 5 | 0 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| 40 | 43 | Dave Hanson | Bemidji | MN | 5 | 0 | 7.15 | 7.15 |
| 41 | 25 | Kim Papineau | Escanaba | MI | 5 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 42 | 35 | Mike McClelland | Pierre | SD | 5 | 5.04 | 1.27 | 6.31 |
| 43 | 42 | Bruce Samson | Cambridge | MN | 3 | 2.38 | 1.09 | 3.47 |
| 44 | 40 | Jeff Russell | Grand Haven | MI | 2 | 3.11 | 0 | 3.11 |
| 45 | 45 | Rich Sidor* | Clarendon Hills | IL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |