PRESS RELEASE
DATE: April 14, 2003
From: WildSide Diversified Inc.
Division: Leech Lake Walleye Classic
Address: P.O. Box 517, Walker, MN 56484
Contact: Tournament Director: Chip Leer
Phone: 218-547-4714
Email: [email protected]
Multi-Level Fishing Tournament Makes for Competitive Fun
WALKER, Minn. — Fishing, families and fun are always a focus on the shores of Leech Lake.
The Evinrude Walleye Classic brings those elements together in a festive fashion May 31-June 1 when as many as 480 participants will angle for a piece of a purse that will exceed $100,000 in cash and prizes.
Believed to be the largest independent walleye tournament in the country, the Walleye Classic is in its 16th year, and it’s still growing. That’s because it’s about more than just being the best angler.
“To me, the greatest part is the tournaments that take place within the tournament,” noted tournament director Chip Leer of Wildside. “We have cash awards from first place ($20,000) down to 30th, but at the same time teams are competing in their own mini-tournaments with the Abu Garcia All-Female division, the Fenwick Male-Female division, the Berkley Adult-Youth division and the Mitchell Veteran Angler division. This multi-tiered aspect of the divisions while competing overall is the heart and soul of the Walleye Classic and without a doubt the reason for the event’s rapid growth. As you will see there will be some very notable and accomplished anglers who participate, but to me the greatest part is that anglers get to compete at whatever level and with whatever intensity they choose.”
“2003 will be bigger and better than ever before resulting from two major changes in the event. First, Evinrude Direct Injected Outboards is now the title sponsor. That means we will be able to share the overwhelming benefits of Evinrude Direct Injection technology with the anglers and I have a good feeling that Evinrude will reward those with open ears. Secondly, the tournament will now base itself from the huge City Park in Walker, MN. We had just out grown our old facility and the park will allow expansion of all the weigh-in festivities along with an expanded youth fishing carnival making this a family destination tournament weekend. The Walleye Classic is always held the first weekend after Memorial Day, which happens to be prime time for Leech Lake walleye fishing.
Without a doubt it’s the finest time of the year to be on Leech if you like walleyes,” said Leer.
Two-time Professional Walleye Trail champion Tommy Skarlis and past event emcee, has said the nature of Leech Lake’s walleyes levels the playing field.
“Some of the best walleye anglers in the world will be on this lake and we’ve got some of the best local Leech Lake anglers fishing the tournament, but they aren’t always assured of a high placing,” he explained. “We see it happen every year where people who are basically novices do very well because the fish on Leech are so nomadic.
“There’s not very much of a home-field advantage on Leech.”
In turn, that makes the Classic a tremendous opportunity to learn more about walleye fishing, Skarlis added.
“It’s the best crash course in learning how to fish walleyes that an angler can take because it changes every year and the hot spots change. Even the returning veterans are willing to share how, when and where they caught their fish because it won’t be the same the next time.”
Yet, it doesn’t always take a big basket of fish to claim a major prize.
Last year, the Classic offered a cash prize just for wearing a pair of Irish Setter shoes along with the Coleman “Cool Under Pressure” award to the team that made the biggest comeback from day one to day two, the Lowrance “You Need Direction” award to the team that finished 200th and the Northern Lights Casino “Incredibly Mediocre” award to the team that finished 125th.
This year, Evinrude Direct Injected Outboards will provide an engine to be given away as a door prize and don’t be surprised to find a few more new ways to win cash and/or prizes at this year’s Classic,” added Leer.
In addition to the fishing, the Walleye Classic provides numerous related activities including exhibits, educational opportunities and a carnival for prospective young anglers.
Entry fee for the event is $480 per two-person team, plus $20 for an optional big-fish pot. The tournament has filled five of the past six years, so interested anglers are encouraged to get their spots reserved.
For more information, visit http://www.walleyeclassic.com or call Wildside Diversified at (218) 547-4714.
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