April 17, 2011—Trenton, MI—Day Two of the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s Detroit River tournament has been cancelled due to strong west winds and resulting low water levels at the Elizabeth Park Marina making the ramps unusable.
“It’s extremely disappointing not to get our teams out on the water today, especially given the fantastic bite on the river,” said MWC executive director Dan Johnson. “Our on-site tournament director Dan Palmer and local site coordinator Danny Bloxem reviewed all the options and we had no choice but to call the tournament. We are already working with our Angler Advisory Panel members to schedule a bad-weather day for our return to this great destination in 2012. We thank all of our MWC anglers for fishing this tournament with us, and the Downriver Walleye Federation volunteers for making it possible.”
Day One results become final results, making Greg Bliznik and Keith Greear, both of Brownstown, Michigan, the tournament winners with 43.49 pounds. Jeff Vereeke of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Joe Lockman of Middleville, Michigan, finished in second with 41.85 pounds.
First place pays $16,350 and the event pays out to 22nd place at $750. Total cash purse is $58,240. Plus, sponsor contingencies from Cabela’s, Ranger Boats, Lowrance, Berkley, Worldwide Marine Insurance, U2/The Oxygenator add thousands more to the total. Sitting at $4,910, the anglers’ Big Fish Pot will be awarded to the three Day One big-fish winners. An awards ceremony is planned for 8 a.m. at the MWC stage in Elizabeth Park. More details and a full press release to follow.
This is the first stop on the MWC East Division’s 2011 season. The remaining Eastern schedule includes Lake Erie at Sandusky, Ohio, May 20-22, and the St. Mary’s River at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, August 26-28. The MWC’s 2011 trail is comprised of nine qualifiers in three divisions. Anglers fishing at least three events (from any division) accumulate points toward a berth in the no-entry-fee, $100,000 Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Championship; teams fishing four events are in the running for overall MWC Team of the Year honors and a $13,000 cash prize.
Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering its tenth season as title sponsor of the MWC. Official sponsors include: Berkley Gulp!, Ranger Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Fishouflage, Versus (Vs.) Television Network and North American Fishing Club. Associate Sponsors include: Berkley Trilene, Energizer, O2 Marine Technologies, Northland Fishing Tackle, Ryjus, Reflections, Worldwide Marine Insurance, The Walleye Federation, Sea Grant and Wildlife Forever. Now heading into its 27th season, the Cabela’s MWC is the oldest team circuit in walleye fishing.
