For Immediate Release For More Information Contact:
Kristine Houtman 612 710 5584
cabela’s mwc big event is up next:
the world walleye championship
– presented by cabela’s
The Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit will be heading to Lake Erie for the season finale — the World Walleye Championship. A field of 41 teams, the finest in team-format walleye fishing around the country, will be competing against one another for the coveted title of Cabela’s MWC World Walleye Champions. The anglers come from eleven states including Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Minnesota, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, South Dakota and Illinois. A purse of $101,200 is at stake for this “invitation only” group of anglers and they are excited to get going on such a prestigious event, with first place payout a cool $25,000.
“It’s hard to get into the Championship,” shared Mark De Deker from Larsen, Wisconsin. Mark fishes with his wife Cathy and they know you need a good year in order to make the cut. “It is a great honor and privilege to be included in this group of fine anglers,” shared Mark. “It is a very special event with all the little things done that make a difference. We can’t wait.”
The Championship is a unique event with a guaranteed payout to every place in the field and a number of Championship gifts for the anglers. That puts a lot of anglers into a good mood heading into the event. They know that a number of their expenses are already covered – so it makes it a little easier to swing for the fence and hope for a great finish. Like Ryan Jirik, from Sauk City, Wisconsin who fishes with his father, Tom Jirik of Amery, Wisconsin. They were the 2007 Father and Son Team of the Year in the Central Division and are heading to their second Championship. “You know you’re going to get something back out of the Championship,” shared Ryan. “That’s one of the reasons why we like fishing the Cabela’s MWC Championship, it doesn’t cost so much to be there and you have a chance at winning something pretty big.”
But it isn’t just about the money, the Championship is also about being in an elite field. These anglers are honored to be a part of something special and to have a shot at winning the title of World Walleye Champions. That’s a thrill that lasts a lifetime. Just ask two of the teams competing this year that have had the privilege of doing just that. Jeff Koester of Brookville, Indiana and Scott Rhodes of Traverse City, Michigan are the reigning Champions after winning in 2007 and Scott Aydelotte of Garner, Iowa and Jim Trow of Ames, Iowa won the event in 2005. Both are thrilled with their previous wins – and wouldn’t turn down another one!
“We’re going to fish hard for another win,” shared Jeff Koester. “We love trolling on the Great Lakes and have been fortunate for a few MWC wins on Lake Erie. Makes going back as reigning Champions especially fun.” Rhodes agrees. “Sometimes things just come together and all the right decisions align for a win. That really does make it memorable.”
The community around Dundee/Monroe Michigan is encouraged to attend the weigh-ins and special events at the Cabela’s store. On Tuesday evening, September 30th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm the anglers will be in the store for a “Meet & Greet” with the public. Come meet them all – or just a few. Have them sign your Championship directory booklet next to their photos or have them show you their boat and how it is rigged – and why. Bring the whole family for the fun…including some door prizes at the end of the night. The weigh-ins will be Wednesday through Saturday, October 1-4, beginning at 4pm and finishing shortly after 5pm. On Friday night at 5:30pm some of the anglers will lead a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic at the store. A number of free rods and reels and a kid’s “first” tackle box will be given to youth that night along with instruction on how to tie on a slip bobber. Toyota has donated a mountain bike rigged especially for carrying your new fishing pole. One lucky kid will be the winner of the new mountain bike in the drawing.
Weigh-ins will occur on Wednesday, October 1st for the Pro-Am “fun” day beginning at 4pm and finishing about 5:30pm. The Championship kicks in for real on Thursday, October 2nd through Saturday, October 4th. The public is invited to watch the weigh-ins each day – also 4pm to 5:30pm.
There are a lot of activities around the Championship and we encourage the community to get involved and check out the fun. The Cabela’s store in Dundee, Michigan is located just West of U.S. Highway 23 and just north of M-50 (Tecumseh Road). Dundee is half-way between Ann Arbor, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio.
The Championship tournament will be filmed for Versus (Vs.) television network and will air on Tuesday, November 4th 9:30am and Tuesday, November 11th at 9:30am (Eastern).
Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter has been the title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit for the last seven seasons and encourages all walleye fishermen to step up and compete at this level. Official sponsors are Toyota (offering $2,500 contingency bonus), Ranger Boats (offering $1,000 Ranger Cup bonus), Lowrance Electronics, Mercury Motors (offering $500 for winner in a Mercury and $500 for top Mercury/Ranger Cup combination), MotorGuide, North American Fishing Club and Versus Television Network. Associate sponsors are Farm & City Insurance Services (offering $250 in Team FCIS bonus), O2 Marine Technologies (offering $200 Oxygenator bonus), The Inhibitor, Sticker Dude and Mobil1.
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