Parsons Leads National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Event on Lake Oahe

Aug 26th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST

Modified Aug 26th, 2011 at 12:00 AM


	Chase Parsons Leads OFM Photo

PIERRE, S.D. (Aug. 26, 2011) – Pro Chase Parsons of Brillion, Wis., and co-angler Cody Lauer of Rapid City, S.D., caught five walleyes weighing 22 pounds, 8 ounces Friday to give Parsons the lead at the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour tournament on Lake Oahe. Parsons now has a two-day catch of 10 walleyes weighing 39-11 and a small 15-ounce lead over his uncle, Keith Kavajecz, in second place going into the final day of competition. Anglers from 18 states and Canada are fishing for top awards of up to $63,000 in the Pro Division and up to $10,500 in the Co-angler Division.

“Today my fish came in the right order,” said Parsons, who is fishing in his first FLW top-10 and looking for his first FLW victory. “There were no decisions to be made today. Yesterday I threw a couple of fish back that in hind sight I should have kept that probably cost me a couple of pounds. But today the bite was a lot slower, we got our fish in the right order and it was pretty easy.

“I am trolling the tops of trees in an area that is pretty congested,” Parsons continued. “But I am doing something that is off the wall compared to the other guys in presentation and that is the difference in this tournament.

Parsons wasn’t ready to disclose his “off the wall” pattern but indicated that he has a lot of confidence going in to tomorrow. He is fishing just south of the marina in heavy timber. The top of the tree line is about five feet deep sitting in about 18 feet of water.

Rounding out the top 10 pros are:

      2nd:    Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis., 10 walleyes, 38-12
      3rd:     Darrell Peters, Slayton, Minn., 10 walleyes, 36-6
      4th:     Tommy Skarlis, Waukon, Iowa, 10 walleyes, 35-9
      5th:     Joe McCartin, Land O Lakes, Wis., 10 walleyes, 34-14
      6th:     Tom Kemos, Oconomowoc, Wis., 10 walleyes, 34-14
      7th:     Dean Arnoldussen, Appleton, Wis., 10 walleyes, 33-9
      8th:     Lynn Jurrens, Watertown, S.D., 10 walleyes, 33-9
      9th:     Tom Keenan, Hatley, Wis., 10 walleyes, 33-6
      10th:   Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, Minn., 10 walleyes, 32-11

With his 9th place day two effort Tom Keenan sealed the deal for his third National Guard FLW Walleye Tour of the Year title. Along with the coveted trophy, Keenan won $10,000 for his spectacular performances during the 2012 season. Keenan indicated that the title meant “a ton” to him.

“One bad day of fishing and you can’t win,” said Keenan. “I was fortunate to be able to turn in three (including the Oahe event) top-10 finishes this year. I have worked hard all year and today it paid off.”

Christopher Hanson of New Hope, Minn., leads the Co-angler Division with 10 walleyes weighing 34-13 followed by Gary Kafka of Pierre, S.D., in second place with 10 walleyes weighing 33-4.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers are:

      3rd:     Russell Somsen, Pierre, S.D., 10 walleyes, 32-12
      4th:     Dale Janota, Gillette, Wyo., 10 walleyes, 32-9
      5th:     Chad Resel, Wessington, S.D., 10 walleyes, 32-8
      6th:     Dave Keyser, Oak Lawn, Ill., 10 walleyes, 32-4
      7th:     Flo Swank, Pierre, S.D., 10 walleyes, 31-15
      8th:     Chad Wilz, Appleton, Wis., 10 walleyes, 31-7
      9th:     Jerry Chwierut, Lake Villa, Ill., 10 walleyes, 31-2
      10th:   Dave Smith, Saint Joseph, Minn., 10 walleyes, 30-13

Overall there were 552 walleyes weighing 1,421 pounds, 2 ounces caught by 113 boats Friday. The catch included 106 five-walleye limits.

In Walleye Tour competition, pro and co-anglers are also competing for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the 2011 National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Championship held on the Missouri River in Bismarck, N.D., Sept. 22-25. The top 40 point holders will advance to the championship.

Top 10 anglers and co-anglers will take off from Spring Creek Resort & Deep Water Marina located at 28229 Spring Creek Place in Pierre at 7 a.m. on Saturday for the final day of competition. The final weigh-in will be held at Walmart located at 1730 North Garfield in Pierre beginning at 4 p.m. Prior to the final weigh-in, FLW Outdoors, in conjunction with the NPAA, will be hosting a free Family Fishing Clinic where children can receive free rod and reels, plus other great giveaways. Fans will have the opportunity to interact with professional anglers, ride a Ranger boat simulator, enjoy interactive games and activities, and learn more about the sport of fishing. All activities are free and open to the public.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWOutdoors.com/mc. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the Walleye Tour on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWWalleyeTour and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWOutdoors.

ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS

FLW Outdoors is the best in fishing, on and off the water. Anglers worldwide can compete for millions over the course of 191 tournaments in 2011. FLW Outdoors has taken fishing mainstream with the world’s richest fantasy sports game, FLW Fantasy Fishing presented by Straight Talk, where competitors can play for free as well as sign up for Player’s Advantage to gain an edge. For more information about FLW Outdoors and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com.
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Parsons Leads National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Event on Lake Oahe

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