For your information, I have listened to all the critics for the last two years regarding the conflict between the LPO and the FLW. If any of you have ever tried to set up and run a tournament, you would find out it is not a picnic with all the new laws and regulations that the tournaments and the DNR have to abide by.

And by the way, I worked with Mark Dorn last year to resolve the conflict, and Mark said there would be no conflict this year as they were moving a week later. So I don’t know what happened with this agreement since they changed directors.

The LPO moved out of May several years back to eliminate major conflicts with Bass tournaments. We are the only TRADITIONAL large tournament in April and the DNR would like for us to stay there.

This situation reminds me of when the MWC wanted to come back on pool 4, several years back, under the new rules and they couldn’t. They were quite upset because they couldn’t get their way, with all their MONEY and PUBLICITY.

The DNR also told me that they are getting so many more tournament request than they can possibly allow. That is the reason that the FLW is launching out of Bay City, WI.

As far as the LPO launching early, I got that permission from the DNR in the morning before I ever talked to any of the tournament fishermen that evening at the rules meeting, AND ONLY FOR SAFETY REASONS.

So if you have any complaints about the conflict between the LPO and the FLW, take your complaints to the FLW.

Thanks.

John Walter

Keith, as Bill C. stated, I use a large cooler with a 12v aerator and I have found that putting a quart plastic jug of ice in the cooler when I fill it after I catch my first fish works great. By putting the ice jug in at the same time with the fish it cools the water slowly and lets the fish adjust to the temp change. I like using quart size plastic milk jugs and keep them in my chest freezer. Until I catch my first fish I keep the ice jug in my food cooler and that works great helping keep things colder. I have been able to keep fish alive and frisky for eight hours. I have not tried any of the chemicals but have heard they work very well.