The Illinois Walleye Trail completed its 2007 season on May 19,20, 2007. The 2 day tournament was held on the Illinois River in Spring Valley Illinois.
Brothers from Spring Valley Gary and Bruce Merkel won the tournament with a limit of fish each day weighing a total of 19.10 pounds. Bruce and Gary found their fish in the Hennepin area in 10-12 feet of water. Using lead core and #5 Shad Raps they caught the right fish to cash a check for $700.00 and received a certificate from Mercury Marine for a $1,000.00. Another brother team from Wadsworth, Illinois. Brian and Mark Mazur finished 2nd with a limit of fish each day weighing 18.24 pounds earning them $500.00. They also found the fish in the Hennepin area but caught their fish with live bait rigs. Placing third was Paul Dimock and Guy Lopez from Chicago, Illinois with 14.20 pounds for $350.00 and as the first Lund Boat in the money they also received a $100.00 certificate from Hennepin Marine. Big fish honors and fourth place went to Adam and Steve Sandor from Ottawa, Illinois with a 3.15 pound sauger earning them $630.00 with the place of finish and the big fish pot each day
This Tournament also completed the Angler’s of the Year for the Illinois Walleye Trail. Each tournament $5.00 of every entry fee goes in to the Angler of the Year fund. Teams earn points for their place of finish in each tournament. The team with the highest points at the end of the season gets 80% of the pool and the other 20% goes to the next team in line. This years winners were John Dalzot from Spring Valley and Tom Giachetto Jr. from Ladd for $816.00.
Our next tournament will be the Angler Youth Angler (AYA) tournament for kids on June 3, 2007 in Hennepin, Illinois. Openings are still available.
We would like to Thank our fine sponsors for there Support. Hennepin Marine, Lund Boats, and Mercury Marine. Complete results can be found on http://www.prairielandeyes.com