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NPAA Members Score Big at Bays De Noc

Category: npaa

 Jul 25th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Jul 25th, 2008 at 12:00 AM

	Kids clinic at the FLW Tour event in Escanaba, MI

VALLEY CITY, ND, August 1, 2008 – NPAA members once again were up to the challenge of Bays de Noc with 4 members finishing in the top 10 in the final stop of the FLW walleye tour for 2008. Remaining is the FLW championship at Bismarck, North Dakota.

Leading the top finishing NPAA members was second place finisher Tom Keenan #907 from Hatley, Wisconsin. Ranger/Evinrude pro Keenan is no stranger to top ten finishes. Keenan has 9 top ten finishes with a Championship win in 2003 and FLW Angler of the Year award in 2006.

Chad Schilling #283 continues his successful year with a 4th place finish. The G3/Yamaha pro from Akaska, South Dakota was leading the tournament on day one and held on to score another top 10 win. Sixth place went to NPAA #733, Rick Franklin from Bemidji, Minnesota. Berkley pro Franklin credits his success at this tournament with "the new 17lb test Berkley 100% fluorocarbon leaders on his crawlers harnesses".

Rounding out the top ten NPAA anglers was John Gillman #871 who hails from Freeland, Michigan. Noted for his ultra-stealthy spinner techniques, Ranger/Yamaha pro Gillman, used this tactic, which has brought him great success on both the FLW and PWT circuits, to another top ten finish, finishing 7th over all.

The NPAA also wishes to recognize the FLW, the communities of Escanaba and Gladstone, Michigan, NPAA members in attendance for their support of the FLW/NPAA Youth and Family Fishing Clinic. The event ranked as one of the largest if not the largest of the season with 60-70 children with parents taking part. Tackle assortments, Ranger hats and other "goodies" were given to the participants. Event organizer Rick Zachowski #231 and Eric Olson #165 talked with children about the great fishing opportunities in their area along with a dozen other pro's making the kids day by signing autographs on their shirts and hats.

Special thanks to Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Offshore Tackle, Northland Tackle, Fin-tech Tackle, Berkley, Navionics, Walleye's Inc., Greater Insurance Services, Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC), and FLW Outdoors, as they continue to grow the NPAA and the sport of fishing.