Synett & Glauch win inaugural Kiwanis Invitational Walleye Tournament
Jul 18th, 2011 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jul 18th, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore did an amazing job showing off Sault Ste Marie and its great Walleye Factory on the St Mary’s River. The anglers and spectators left after the weekend with the thoughts of next year already running through their thoughts. The feedback from all was extremely positive. The stage featured a wet system that allowed for ten teams on stage while promoting fish health. This was a live release format. All fish were released back into the river without incident. This was a truly positive experience and it’s the volunteers that make it happen.
 |
 |
|
|
Johnny Synett and his partner Harold Glauch took home the hardware and the cash from Sault Ste Marie’s inaugural Walleye Tournament on the St Mary’s River system. The bite had been tough all week due to the fly hatches and the smelt moving up in the St Mary’s River. This system is about 2 weeks behind where it typically is this time of year. The walleye were scattered and water temperatures are just starting to peak. Most walleye are found in their summer holes this time of year but not this past weekend. The bite was still shallow and suspended above the weed beds.
Synett & Glauch had biggest weight on Day 1 and on Day 2 which earned them $10,000 with a total weight of 45.56 lbs. Their fish were caught from the same area all weekend long. The bite wasn’t great but they grinded out each day and came up with two consistent bags of fish. Their Day 1 bag was anchored by a 7.94 lb. fish which earned them big fish for the weekend worth another $1000.
The key to their success was using Offshore Tackle’s planer board OR12 setup that allowed them to fish above the weeds and away from the boat. Finishing second with two consistent days as well was Jason Doyon and Rob Laframboise from Sault Ste Marie. Their total weight for the weekend was 40.17 lbs. Both 1st and 2nd place teams spent most of the time on Lake George on the Canadian side down from the mouth of the Bar River. Third place team of Chris and Rob Eusebi finished with 34.35 lbs. and they spend most of their time at the St Joseph Island Bridge. Big fish on Sunday was awarded to a team from Timmins, Denis Perrier and Matt Guacci with a 5.27 lb. Walleye. They finished a respectable fifth which is impressive for their first time on this system.
Italo Labignan was also at the event to film 2 shows. One show will be around the event and the other show will focus on the St Mary’s River system and what it has to offer. Air dates will follow soon. He also did a children’s seminar on fishing and took 1 lucky child and his/her family out on the system for some fishing. A real class act.
Dates for next year’s tournament are July 14th & 15th 2012, don’t miss this one! Spread the word and let’s grow this event. Next up on the Northern Ontario Walleye Schedule is Kapuskasing River Walleye Tournament taking place on August 6th & 7th.