Three NPAA Members Make Top Ten at the FLW Walleye Tour on Lake Winnebago
Category: npaa
Jul 19th, 2010 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Jul 19th, 2010 at 12:00 AM
62 Pros paired with thier Co Anglers and competed this past week in the FLW Walleye Tour on Lake Winnebago. After a wicked storm blew through the night before the start of the tournament, dumping almost 5 inches of rain on an already saturated area as it lit up the skies with lightning bolts for hours it was no wonder that the bite for the event became almost non existent. The first day of the event produced only 36 fish out of a possible 310, resulting in many zeros. Day two was a little better with the number of fish brought in by the contestants doubling to 71 Walleyes. Day three, the field was cut to the top ten and the bite remained challenging. The Winnebago system is known for a tougher bite in the July/August time frame, but it is no doubt that the unstable weather kept the catch down significantly.
Three NPAA members were successful in making the top ten cut on day three. Chris Gilman NPAA #60, of Chisago City, MN was the top finishing NPAA member with his 4th place finish. Chris took home a check for $6,204 with the cash prize, and Ranger Cup and Evinrude Contingency payouts. Evinrude E-Tec Pro Paul Meleen, NPAA #95, of Isle, MN took home a check for $5,579 for 5th place with the contingencies, and Ryan Jirik, NPAA #605, of Rhinelander, WI took home a cash prize of $811.00 for 10th place. NPAA members rounding out the top 15 included Mark Courts of Harris, MN finishing in 11th place, while Jason Przekurat of Stevens Point, WI finished in 13th place.
The National Professional Anglers Association, in conjunction with FLW Outdoors, Inc. held a “Kid’s Fishing Clinic” for approximately 25 children who’s parents brought them down to the weigh in early on Saturday afternoon. Fishing rods and reels, tackle boxes, t-shirts, hats, and other goodies were given away after a short seminar by Chevy Pro, Jason Przekurat NPAA#169 from Stevens Point, WI, with help from NPAA member #719, Mark Courts, of Harris, MN. Responsible for organizing the event was Walleye Pro, Rick Zachowski NPAA #231 of Milwaukee, WI. NPAA members like Courts, Przekurat, and Zachowski volunteer their time at these events because they feel they are helping to pass on their love for the sport of fishing to the next generation. Anyone interested donating funds to help pay for the rods/reels the NPAA gives to the kids at the events can contact the NPAA at [email protected] or call us at (920)856-6151.
The NPAA is a non-profit organization focused on growing the sport of fishing and increasing the professionalism of its members. Its supporting partners include Northland Fishing Tackle, Navionics, Mercury Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Off-Shore Tackle, Fin-Tech Tackle, Berkley, AIM Walleye Series, Masters Walleye Circuit, FLW Outdoors, Frabill, U.S. Forest Service, Liddle Marketing, FPS Financial Planning Services, Do-it Corp., Optima Batteries, John Butts Outdoors, Pasha Lake Cabins, Oahe Wings and Walleyes Guide Service, Outdoor First Media, Advanced Tex Screen Printing, Pro Staff Gear and Worldwide Marine Underwriters. More NPAA member and association news can be viewed at www.npaa.net.