Hennepin Marine and The Illinois Walleye Trail are pleased to announce that we will be hosting the 3rd Angler Young Angler Fishing Tournament on June 7, 2009. The tournament will be held on the Illinois River in Hennepin, Illinois. This is the most exciting year for the AYA growing to 24 regional events along with the Grand Championship (TBD) in The United States and Canada. web site http://www.angleryoungangler.ca
Listed below is a little background information;
The Angler & Young Angler Walleye Championship began in 1998 when Tournament Founder, Andrew Klopak (President of Lund Boats) decided he wanted to fish in a competitive style tournament on opening day with his son. Seeing that there were no tournaments that catered to adult and young anglers…he created his own.
The main objective is to introduce and educate young anglers to competitive sport fishing in a fun environment surrounded by family and friends while creating memories that will last a lifetime. Each team in the tournaments consists of one angler and two young anglers, (one youth is ok would prefer two) 17 and under. Each event includes official weigh-in, prizes, awards and BBQ to follow a hard day’s fishing. The winner of each regional event qualifies for the opportunity to participate in the National Championship. (TBD)
The success of the original Manitoba tournament has lead to the expansion into other provinces and the United States. The Angler & Young Angler Fishing Tournaments continues to grow with 23 events this year, as well as a National Championship.
Registration must be in by May 15, 2009 in order to prepare for the cookout, t-shirts, trophies and etc. This tournament is limited to the first 50 teams signing up. Entry Fee is $90.00 per Team. Tournament Hours will be 8:00am till 2:00pm. 5 Fish limit 14 inch. Boats must be ready for launching at 7:00am (we will have helpers for parking, launch and loading) On the Water meeting at 7:45am Sharp.
Here is what the $90.00 gets you?
Every Youth will have memories of his/hers first competitive Fishing tournament.
Every Youth will walk away with a grab bag full of Tackle, a Trophy, a T-Shirt, along with prizes for the highest placing teams. Last years prizes included Bicycles, cd players, dvd players, camping equipment and etc.
A cookout, social time in the Park at Hennepin, Illinois after the weigh in.
The Team with the heaviest bag of 5 Saugers, Walleyes will win a New 12 Foot Lund Boat, 4 horsepower Mercury Motor and Trailer. (MSRP $3,800.00) along with trophies and plaque’s for first place.. The first place team will also receive an invite to participate in the National Championship (Location to be determined) along with $500.00 cash for travel allowance. There will be a Banquet and rules meeting for the Championship the night before along with breakfast the morning of the Championship. Each team will be supplied with a new Lund Boat powered by a Mercury outboard and an accompanying chase boat that includes a Lund Pro Guide to assist throughout the day. Lunches, bait and life jackets are provided.
The Grand Prize for the winners of the Championship is still being evaluated but in 2008 they received an all expense paid trip for four to a Fishing Camp in Canada and then a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fl.
Remember this tournament is to educate the youth on the Sport of competitive fishing creating memories that will last a life time. How’s that for a $90.00 entry fee and only competing against 50 teams?????? Well I’m not done?????
We have a lot prizes for the top finishing teams, trolling motors, depth finders, tackle box’s, rods, baits, etc. If you or your organization would like to help support this event feel free to contact me at [email protected] or 309-527-6328
Applications are beginning to arrive so get in before you get shut out. If you need additional information or application go to http://www.hennepinmarine.com or http://www.prairielandeyes.com or call me 309-527-6328
Please share this information with family and friends and fishermen who we may not be able to contact by email.
Thanks Bob Kidd (sorry for the long note but a lot of info)