–Presented by Fishouflage
July 22, 2011—Mobridge, SD—South Dakotans Byron Larson, of Pierre, and Ritchie Davis, of Mobridge, brought a 5-fish limit weighing 16.25 pounds to the scale to lead Day One of the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit’s Lake Oahe West Division Qualifier.
The North Dakota team of Jeff Mistelski, of Bismarck, and Abraham Starck, of Mandan, were close behind in second place with 15.79 pounds. Fargo MWCers Chad Maloy and Don Denning are in third with 15.64 pounds.
A large crowd of weigh-in spectators in downtown Mobridge were treated to a steady stream of Lake Oahe walleyes as 209 fish weighing a total of 518.83 pounds crossed the Cabela’s MWC stage. Larson and Davis claimed Big Fish honors with a 5.68-pound walleye, earning $400 cash from the Circuit’s Big-Fish Pot. With mighty Lake Oahe’s world-class walleye fishery firing on all cylinders, the teams enjoyed great fishing as 38 teams caught 5-fish MWC limits.
After the weigh-in, the MWC and National Professional Anglers Association presented a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic. Along with hands-on fishing tips from MWC anglers, the first 50 youths received rods and reels donated by the NPAA, tackle kits courtesy of Northland Fishing Tackle, and NPAA/Cabela’s MWC “Future Pro” T-shirts.
The two-day tournament continues tomorrow with a 7 a.m. takeoff and weigh-in beginning at 3:15 p.m. Teams are vying for more than $28,000 in cash and prizes, including a $9,160 first-place check. Sponsor bonuses, including Cabela’s Angler Cash, Berkley Baits, Cabela’s MWC Premier Team, Ranger Cup, Lowrance HDS/Elite DSI, and U2 the Oxygenator, add $3,700 to the table. Plus, the Big Fish Pot adds $1,800.
This is the second of three stops in the MWC West Division’s 2011 season. The circuit heads for legendary Cass Lake, Minnesota, out of Stony Point Resort September 16-18. 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. For more information, visit: www.masterswalleyecircuit.com; email: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com
