Blosser Holds Lead After Day One at AIM Championship
Category: article
Sep 15th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Sep 15th, 2011 at 7:19 PM
Fall arrived today in South Dakota via a massive cold front ushering in high winds, rain, cold temps, and rough seas on Oahe for Day One of the AIM International Walleye Championship out of Akaska. Leading up to the first day of the Tournament, the temps had been summer-like, and the winds light.
The walleyes didn’t care.
Robert Blosser CRR’d 7 fish for 40.19 pounds to take the day one lead by almost 5 pounds over Keith Kavajecz. Keith has 35.48 pounds, placing him just past third place local favorite Chad Schilling’s 35.01.
Blosser, the 2010 AIM JJ Keller Angler of the year, is in 5th in the AOY race going into the Championship, and is challenging current leader Brett King. Brett weighed 32.02 for fourth place on Day One, leading fifth place seasoned Pro Ross Grothe by just over two pounds.
In sixth is Gary Parsons with 29.12. Seventh is Mark Brumbaugh with 28.83, eighth is Rick Olson with 28.34, ninth is Scott Duncan with 27.37, and perennial top ten Master Mike Gofron holds tenth with 26.51.
Many of the better weights came from up to 90 miles one way from the launch. The conditions made the trip challenging, and many reports of broken rods, rod holders, and other interior equipment indicated just how rough it was out on Oahe today. Add the cold rain that fell during the latter portion of the day, and the picture of a less than pleasant ride back forms up.
Some of the Pros didn’t make the run, yet held their own fishing closer to Akaska, placing in the top twenty in good shape to make the cut to the top 18 on Day Three.
Tomorrow looks to be absolutely brutal out there. The day is forecast to begin with temps in the 30’s, topping out in the 50’s with winds in the mid twenty MPH range and possible gusts to 50 MPH. That could limit the field’s range, and effect the weights accordingly.
The AIM Championship field leaves tomorrow morning at 8 AM. Weigh in will begin at approximately 5 PM. Watch for the morning interviews and updates directly after 8 AM, and for updates during the day on http://www.aimfishing.com.