This coming Saturday, Warrior Boat owners across the land will converge on The Walleye Capital of the World to compete for bragging rights for this years David A. Andersen Warrior Walleye Shootout. As you may have suspected, Warrior Boats only in this one. The event will be based out of Wigwam Resort on Four Mile Bay and at the mouth of the Rainy River that leads into Lake of the Woods.

2016 David Andersen Memorial Fishing Tournament

Anglers thoughts this year will be on much more than walleyes with the recent passing of a very well respected, long time professional walleye angler, educator and part owner of Warrior Boats, David A. Andersen.

Andersen, 61, an original owner of Anglers Insight Marketing, (AIM), one of four owners of Warrior Boats, an AWWS presenting sponsor, winner of numerous tournaments over a decades-long career, and a mentor to his teammates and any angler he met, passed away Monday, Aug. 8, in a single-car crash near his home town of Amery, WI.

Warrior Boats are made in Melrose, MN and have a great reputation as a big water walleye boat. Andersen and others helped bring back the boat company in 2011 after the company shut down during a downturn in the economy.

One of Dave’s business partners, Chuck Barth, said Dave was the face of Warrior boats.  “He promoted 365 days every year at sport shows, at tournaments, at dealerships, at open houses, and wherever people and boats came together.  He would point out the advantages, features and benefits with a smile,” Barth said. The entire 17-person crew and the owners were devastated. 

“He meant an awful lot to all of us.”  During the past five years of Dave and associates owning Warrior, they grew from a few dealers to 25, and from a production of 35 boats to 110 so far this year.  Warrior has eight models, and all reflect Dave’s desire for them to be the ultimate fishing boats.

We send our sincere condolences to the Andersen family. We welcome Warrior Boat owners to Lake of the Woods and pray that some healing will take place and lots of wonderful memories are shared while celebrating the life of a very special person, David A. Andersen.