I.O.W.A. teams Prepare for Clear Lake
Category: Tournament
Apr 11th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 11th, 2008 at 12:00 AM
It’s back-to-back weekends for the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail as they make final preparations for the Storm Lake qualifier on Sunday, April 13, while at the same time looking ahead for the FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance Clear Lake Tournament on Sunday, April 20. “Ice conditions pushed the Storm Lake tournament back a week, but even though I know they are back-to-back, the teams are excited about the Clear Lake tournament,” said I.O.W.A. Director Dean Higgins. “Not only is Clear Lake a great fishery, but we have special activities and awards scheduled for the weekend that makes it even more interesting for the teams.”FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance of Forest City is partnering with the I.O.W.A. circuit as the title sponsor. In commemoration of its 30th anniversary as an insurance provider, FCIS will give the 30th place finisher at the Clear Lake qualifier a free entry to a future I.O.W.A. tournament and a check for $250. In addition, FCIS will also provide a free entry to two other teams that finish out of the money. “It’s a great way to showcase the 30th anniversary of FCIS,” said Higgins. “This is the second year that FCIS has been a title sponsor. They have made a commitment to our circuit, and it is greatly appreciated.”A mandatory rules meeting and question and answer session will be held on Saturday evening starting at 6:30 p.m. at Paradise Parties (old skating rink) in Clear Lake. “These pre-tournament meetings have proven to be very productive. We can answer a lot of questions, go over all the rules and also the way we want to run our take-off and weigh-in procedures,” Higgins. To add to the Saturday evening fun, a Calcutta will be held after the rules meeting. “The public is invited to this. I think it will be a lot of fun, as we will auction off all of the teams competing on Sunday.” Take-off is at 7 a.m. at McIntosh Woods State Park with the weigh-in at 3 p.m. “This is a great place for people to come and witness the weigh-in. If it’s anything like last year, the crowd will be in for quite a treat,” said Higgins. “Last year we had 36 teams bring limits to the scale with the big fish of the tournament over seven pounds. I hope we can get a great crowd to come out and see what the I.O.W.A. teams can bring to the scales.”All of the latest news on the I.O.W.A. circuit can be found at the I.O.W.A. website (www.walleyepromotions.com). Openings still exist for the Clear Lake qualifier. Anglers interested in learning more about the I.O.W.A circuit can call (515) 571-1085 or they can email the I.O.W.A. staff at [email protected] sponsors for the 2008 season include FCIS Anglers Choice Insurance of Forest City, Lund, Mercury Outboards, ShoreLand’r Trailers, Algona Marine and Sport, MinnKota, Humminbird, ABU Garcia, Cabela’s, Mack’s Lure, Smooth Move Seat Mounts, EZEE Step Inc., Line X of Mason City, King’s Pointe Resort of Storm Lake and Wright County Motors of Clarion.