For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:
Kristine Houtman, 612.710.5584
Email: [email protected]
Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit Marks Official End
to Anglers’ Cabin Fever
Minnetonka, MN — March has stormed the calendar like the proverbial lion in the upper Midwest, and yet the anglers signed up for the inaugural tournament of the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit 2007 season are only days away from ending their cabin fever. In spite of the accumulation of one to two feet of snow, new boats are being delivered or last year’s readied in time for the March 24th and 25th event in Spring Valley, Illinois. This will mark the 21st year that the Illinois River has hosted the “Daytona 500” of the walleye fishing world.
“The Spring Valley tournament not only signifies the start of another exciting tournament season, it marks the start of spring itself,” said Steve Pennaz, event emcee and Executive Director of the world’s largest multi-species fishing club – The North American Fishing Club. “It’s one of the favorite stops on the entire tournament trail!” Pennaz will host the filming of the Cabela’s MWC television show during the tournament. Watch for dates and times on the website http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com.
Last year, Chad Kropp and Larry Keller of Neshkoro, Wisconsin, won the tournament, cashing a check for nearly $30,000. This year they are counting down the days to get back to the Illinois River. “We’ve been working sports shows and having some fun ice fishing, but nothing’s better than getting ready for the season,” shared Keller. “We are always excited for the opener – and actually – for the whole season to get underway.” Kropp chimed in, “I’m ready! I’ve been thinking about this all year.”
The Illinois River is flowing quite typically for spring-melt conditions. According to Bill Guerrinni, Executive Director of the Spring Valley Walleye Club, “Conditions are pretty typical right now to what we’ve come to expect. Water level is high and coming up, but still quite a ways from where we’ve seen it at its worst. There’s now open water with some ice flows coming through. We’ll be watching it closely the next few weeks.” For daily river conditions and updates check out the Spring Valley Walleye Club’s website at http://www.spring-valley-walleye.org/river.htm
Keller and Kropp are well aware that water conditions change things up. According to Kropp, “Water clarity is the biggest thing. Sometimes in pre-fishing when there’s ‘Chocolate Milk’ it is hard to catch fish.” Keller added, “Everyone has to fish in the same conditions, though, so it doesn’t matter in the long run.” Better conditions, however, make for more productive waters.
Currently 193 teams have signed up for the tournament, which has Tournament Director Kristine Houtman projecting a tournament payout over $108,080, with first place at $28,500 and 31st through 33rd place at $1,000 each. “We do have room for a few more entries,” said Houtman. “So for the procrastinators who aren’t used to having an option for getting into Spring Valley at this late stage, you can still sign up at http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com.”
In its second year, NPAA and MWC have teamed up to host Youth and Family Fishing Clinics in conjunction with all 9 MWC tournaments in 2007. Frank Pilney, NPAA #920, is leading the effort on behalf of the anglers, with fellow NPAA anglers helping with the kids onsite. Cabela’s MWC sponsors have pooled resources and made it possible for each child attending the clinic to walk away with their own tackle box and basic terminal tackle for slip-float fishing. Kids will be able to take home their very own new rod and reel after attending the clinic.
“I fell in love with fishing while dreaming over a bobber as a kid,” shared Pilney. “This is a great way for professional anglers to share our skills with the next generation.” The Youth & Family Fishing clinic at Spring Valley will be held on Saturday, March 24th immediately following the day one weigh-in at Barto Landing. Scout Troops or other clubs are encouraged to attend as a group.
Sponsor Promotions for 2007
Returning in 2007 will be the $1000 Ranger Cup bonus for all qualifying tournaments and the World Walleye Championship. “We are excited to continue the tradition with the MWC for the last few years in awarding the top finishing Ranger owner, registered in the Ranger Cup series, a bonus of $1000,” stated Steve Smith, Director of Marketing with Ranger Boats. Ranger Boats is very committed to tournament anglers, and commits to having technical support at the majority of MWC tournaments during the season.
New this year will be the Toyota Tundra Angler Award from Toyota Trucks. The top finishing Tundra owner in each qualifying tournament will cash a $1,000 bonus. The bonus for the World Walleye Championship in October will grow to $5,000.
MotorGuide will be awarding two new MotorGuide trolling motors to the top finishing MotorGuide team at the Niagara River tournament in 2007.
Mercury will offer a case of oil to the top finishing Mercury team at each of the 9 tournaments during the season.
Title sponsor, Cabela’s, will host for the second year the popular “Scratch Off & Win” contest at all qualifying tournaments and the Championship. Anglers and fans that attend tournament weigh-ins can win with game pieces that post various weights. Match up the winning weight, or big fish weight or a number of other matches to win gift cards for shopping sprees at Cabela’s. Pick up a game piece at the weigh-in. Cabela’s has also contributed significantly to the MWC/NPAA Youth & Family Fishing Clinics so that each youth in attendance will take home their own Cabela’s All Pro spincast rod & reel combo. Teaming with Cabela’s, Lowrance Electronics has made a significant cash donation to make the purchase of the rods & reels possible.
The Inhibitor, which makes rust prevention chips used in tackle boxes and storage units, will provide two specially coated boat covers, one to each member of the winning team.
Food Source Lures is once again showcasing their 100% food-based baits by offering up a Food Source Lures Food & Cash promotion. Anglers and fans can win food and cash with this promotion during the tournament. “We want to draw attention to the fact that fish, just like people, prefer real food over plastic” stated Ed Rogers, President of Food Source Lures. “This should be a fun promotion that really sets our product apart from other baits, and gives the anglers and fans a chance to win.”
Ice Armor is a great line of cold weather outdoor gear second to none. A drawing will be held at each rules meeting for one lucky team to win a new set of the custom-blue high performance outerwear. If the lucky team that is drawn wins the tournament – an extra bonus of $1,000 will be paid by Ice Armor.
Farm & City Insurance Services – Anglers Advantage will host a number of promotions throughout 2007 in their second year of sponsorship. First, a drawing will be held at each rules meeting for one lucky team to win two new PFDs. Also, $5 for each new quote will be donated to the walleye conservation fund. Thirdly, FCIS Anglers Advantage has developed a boat-towing safety clinic….and will have extra safety items in stock during the boat inspection period in the morning. Watch for more details on FCIS Anglers Advantage throughout the season.
North American Fishing Club has donated 500 mini-tackle boxes, complete with jigs and baits, as a hand-out for the NPAA Youth & Family Fishing Clinics, noted above, that will be held on Saturdays at each qualifying tournament. North American Fisherman magazine Editor Kurt Beckstrom will emcee East Division tournaments and Executive Director Steve Pennaz will emcee Central Division events. Both will host the Championship stage in Dundee, Michigan in October.
Cabela’s is the title sponsor for the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official Sponsors are Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors, MotorGuide, Lowrance Electronics, Toyota Trucks, North American Fishing Club and Versus (Vs.). Associate sponsors are Tommy Docks, The Inhibitor, Food Source Lures, Ice Armor and Farm & City Insurance Services.
For more information contact Cabela’s MWC Club headquarters by email at: [email protected] or toll-free by phone at 877-893-7947. More information is available on the Cabela’s MWC website at: http://www.masterswalleyecircuit.com
# # END # #
