2011 Montana Circuit Tournament Results
Montana Circuit Top 10 Race - COMPLETE
| Complete AOY | Complete MC | Complete AC |
Montana Circuit 2011 Team of the Year Final Ranking
Fall Finale - COMPLETE
[08.23.2011]
1st - Roger Terwilliger and Mary Goodson - 13.54 lbs
2nd - Mark Nuss and Gary Ticknor - 9.26lbs
3rd - Bob Hickey and Jason Mundel - 7.75lbs
The over all winners were long time tournament angler Roger Terwilliger
from Bozeman and Mary Goodson from Big Sky. They not only won the overall
but took top mixed couple, Top Lund Team and Top "Dinosaur category and
also Largest walleye Day 1!
Click here for complete results
STORY LINE: The Montana Walleye Circuits last stop was at Barry’s
Landing on the Yellowtail Reservoir. No question, the location was
by far the most scenic of all the circuit tourney locations. Its
miles of canyon rock that seemed to go forever, to wild game in wild
horses, deer, mountain sheep to even the sighting of a young black
bear, made a great setting. As for the fishing, yes some eyes were
being found, bass and sauger also. So the talk was that fish will be
caught, question seemed to be by whom. Only the score board would
tell.
DAY ONE: With a 23 team field, the tourney got started at 7 am
Saturday morning under clear skies, sunshine and very little wind.
Most of the teams made their way in the direction of the dam.
Several traveled 20 plus miles in their search of eyes. In the end
team 19, Roger Terwilliger of Bozeman and Mary Goodman of
Livingston, found a fine weight 8.04 lbs and were the leaders on the
board. Their biggest eye for the day got them a nice the Big Eye
pot. The rest of the teams could find only a few fish each and
scores were 2 to 4 lbs. Tourneys with small scores always have a
greater chance the scores will change the second day. Day two will
tell that story.
DAY TWO: With very little change in weather, the teams went on the
search again. This day brought in less fish, better ones to
non-leader teams. Team 13, Mark Nuss and Gary Ticknor, did their job
with just two fish for 7.68lbs, with one of them being the big eye
for the day good for the Big Eye pot. Team 20, Scott and Dave
Collinsworth found their 5.76lbs to be good for 2nd best weigh of
the day. The leader team 19, Roger Terwilliger and Mary Goodman
found 2 eyes good for 5.50lbs and 3rd best weigh of the day. One
thing for sure the score board would be close and with the tourney
paying 7 top places more faces would have a smile as checks were
being given out.
FINAL AWARDS: It was quite clear that two new faces would walk home
the title this year. Team 19, Terwilliger and Goodman had their
13.54lbs hold up for the win and $2000 1st place money. Terwilliger
is also 69 years old and this got him the Dinosaur Award. Then being
this was a Mixed Couple team they took that $100 check and prizes
home. Roger has supported the tourneys for years and certainly
deserved this title. Mary just said “When can I do it again?” The
second place check of $1000 went to team 13, Mark Nuss and Gary
Ticknor, who moved up 13 spots on day two which got them the Cool
Under Pressure prize of a set of trailer tires. Their 5.66 lb eye
won the Big Eye Money pot and the new rods for biggest eye of the
tourney. Team 15, Bob Hickey and Jason Mundel of Kalispell, had
another fine Third Place finish for $600. This also captured them
the ANGLER OF THE YEAR AWARDS for 2011. In 5 tourneys’ they placed
in the top 5 four times, what a year!! In all, the tourney paid down
7 places for a total of $4,600 which was 100% of the entry fees from
the teams. In addition, the sponsors helped the tourney have other
awards for closest to the weigh, biggest bass, zero to hero, all of
which just made more teams leave with something. (See pictures below
on other prize winners)
As we began to leave this beautiful place with all its colors, I
asked the tourney folks what about next year. They said we now have
seen some numbers of eyes being caught (over 50 for tourney); we
need to get a change so sauger can be kept and the tourney will
grow.
Written by: Luckie Bethel, co-director Montana circuit
Fresno Challenge - COMPLETE
1st Place - Brian Olson and Dan Chovanak - 19.8 Lbs
2nd Place - Randy maul and Miles Riesinger - 15.06 Lbs
3rd Place - Allan Jackson and Matt Zeadow - 14.74 Lbs
Mixed Couple - Gary Perleberg and Margo Perleberg
Adult/Child - Ken Hengel and Lane Hengel
Biggest Walleye goes to Scott Achilles and Gary Lum at 4.26 pounds.
Click here for Complete Results
2011 FRESNO CHALLENGE
STORY LINE: The first leg of the Montana Walleye
Tournament Circuit took place on the well known Fresno
reservoir near Havre, Monatna. As in years past it
called THE FRESNO CHALLENGE, more because for the
weather then the fishing. Again this year the weather
played a huge roleor should we say wet role. Record
spring rains and snow caused the water levels to reach
their highest point in years. Camp grounds were flooded,
docks had to be moved. But the fish were okay, they
seemed to like the new water that had food in it.
Prefish was wet, as more rains kept coming. Most of the
talk was go get 5 eyes and keep as dry as possible.
Teams found even the old BLACKIES bar to be new and
called the WALLEYE TAVERN. It may of had new owners but
their support and services was still second to none.
DAY ONE: The weather on day one met the 95 teams with
the same, rain, and more rain.
But the fishing held it's own as 22 teams filled their
cards with 5 eyes. The leading team # 92, Brain Olson of
Havre and Dan Chovanak of Helena, fished multi spots
very slow to get their 5 nice eyes for 11.28lbs and good
for first place day money of $900. One of their eyes of
2.76lbs, found them with the big eye pot of $800. Team
#22, Allan Jackson and Matt Zeadow of Townsend also had
5 eyes for 8.66lbs giving them second place day money of
$700. There were 9 other top teams that took home day
money checks as the tourney paid down 11 spots. It
seemed to be the slow to slower presentations that paid
off. Vertical jigs, casting light jigs, slip bobbers all
had their place. Maybe the weather had a better day in
mind on day two.
DAY TWO: What weather change?? Yes it did rain ONLY
harder if that means anything. But nineteen teams had
their wipers on and came in with 5 eyes. That consistent
team #92, Olson and Chovanck, lead the way again with 5
that weighted in at 8.52 lbs good for another $900 day
check. Team # 9, Dick Wunderlick of Ronan and Ken
Druyvestein of Polson found there way to second place
day money of $700 with 5 eyes for 8.22lbs. The big eye
of 4.26 lbs for day two belonged to team #58, Scott
Achilles and Gary Lum of Great Falls good for the $800
pot. Nine other top weight teams took home day money
checks and because the weights were so close the FINAL
places would change by very small amounts.
FINALS: When a tenth of a pound made a difference of one
or two spots in the two day final weights you know just
how close things were. Team #92, Olson and Chovanck,
with their consistent fishing did run away with top
award money of $2000 with a total weight of 19.8lbs.
But the interesting team was # 41, Randy Maul of
Billings and Miles Riesinger of Roundup, as they used
their slip bobber presentation to collect 7.79lbs day
one for 5th place money of $400 and another 7.27lbs day
two for 11th place day money of $100 for a total of
15.06lbs. This pushed them all the way up to second
place final and another $1500 check. The top 10 teams in
total weight took home checks in the finals.
In the end the rain had begun to stop, the wet crowd
headed home and the Walleye Unlimited Chapter, along
with the Walleye Tavren staff worked cleanup. I asked
them how they felt about
next year, all they said was “we will do it any if the
rain doesn't wash us away!!!” Really it's great to see
the wet weather but enough is enough.
Written by: Luckie Bethel, co-director Montana circuit
|
1st - Brian Olson and Dan Chovanak
|
2nd - Randy Maul and Miles Riesinger
|
|
3rd - Allan Jackson and Matt Zeadow
|
4th - Eric Barlow and Jim Kirkpatrick
|
|
5th - Kennie Williams and Travis Scott
|
Tiber Tournament - COMPLETE
Ken Seay/Marlin Cross - 27.6 pounds - 1st
Ken Druyvestein/Dick Wunderlich - 22.26 pounds - 2nd
Terry Druyvestein/Paul Druyvestein - 20.2 pounds - 3rd
Scott Collinsworth/David Collinsworth - 19.86 pounds - 4th
Robert Hickey/Jason Mundel - 19.84 pounds - 5th
Click here for complete results
TIBER WALLEYE TOURNAMENT 2011
STORY LINE: The second leg of the 2011 Montana walleye
circuit is now on the books. The Tiber Walleye tournament
was held on June 10th and 11th. There was no question that
the rains and high waters causing bad roads had the field
down to 98 teams. The weather in prefish was wet to say
the least, and the water was rising at over a foot a day
giving the entire body of water a different look.
Campground talk was interesting as teams watched their
normal land marks disappear. But the fish were fine; they
seemed to like the new waters and food chains that came
with it. Numbers and size of eyes were said to be up from
last year . The question was "will this be the year for
new record weight?” Only the score board would tell.
DAY ONE: The weather met the teams with a smile and
sunshine. The fish did the same as 35 teams filled their
card with 5 eyes. They were lead by the father and son
team #40 from Anaconda, Scott and David Collinsworth. They
had a 5 fish weight of 15.22 lbs which got them the top
day money of $1,000. They also had the big eye of the day
of 6.68 lbs, which got them another $800. Team# 24, Ken
Seay and Marlin Cross of Great Falls, were right on their
heels with 14.96 lbs that was good for $750 of day money.
There were 20 other teams that took home day money checks
because of the excellent 3 in 1 format used by this
tourney. One good hook set along with some good backer
fish and any of the teams could take home the trophy for
2011.
DAY TWO: Again the weather was nice. There were flat winds
for the most part. That, along with the key fishing spots
getting lots of pressure made things tough. Only 11 teams
filled their cards making the score board go nuts with
changes. The exception was team #24, Seay and Cross who
kept to themselves and fished less pressured areas. It
paid off big time with a full card of 5 fish for 12.64 lbs
and the top day money of a $1,000. But then there was team
#80, Mike and Dean McCabe of Great Falls and Circle, with
a bag of eyes weighting 11.88lbs that was good for $750
day money. The Polson/Ronan team #35 of Ken Druyvestin and
Dick Wunderlick got off the water with a fine weight of
11.35 that was good for third place day money of $650.
Another 19 teams took home day money as this tourney paid
down 22 positions in day checks . One team #26, Finkbeiner
and Vern Parrow of Belgrade, had only one eye, but it was
6.68 lbs for biggest eye worth $800 and put them in 17th
place for the day which was good for another $140.
FINAL PAY OUTS: As the dust (water) settled, things became
clear that team #24 of Seay and Cross of Great Falls,
using the lesser pressured spots to fish, had put together
a winning two day weight of 27.6 lbs. It was not a record
but it made them a fine $3,000 check and the traveling
trophy. Team #35, Druyvesstin and Wunderlick of
Polson/Ronan, using a vertical jig presentation, found
their 22.26 lbs good for second overall and a nice $1,500
check. Eight more teams got final checks as the tourney
paid the top 11 teams in the finals. This means nearly 40
teams of the 98 teams took home checks using this
excellent format. In addition to these cash awards, prizes
were given to the mixed couple team, of Gorden and Tonya
Madson of Ennis, top adult/child took home $100 and
prizes, they were Ken and Lane Hengel of Belgrade. When
you add prizes for the top dinosaur award (persons over
62), multi species, closest to the weight, middle of the
field and big northerns, nearly half of the teams went
home with something in hand. This tourney has its success
because of the people running it, their sponsors and this
excellent format.
When I asked what they would change for 2012, the people
said "more fish and bigger fish make for a better
tourney". The Tiber fishery, with the new water and the
food chain, is turning into one of the neatest in the
state of Montana. Find it, you will like it!
Written by: Luckie Bethel, co-director Montana circuit
 Top Ranger |
 Top Lund |
 Top Mixed |
 Adult Child |
 6th Place |
Canyon Ferry Festival - COMPLETE
Shane Pursley/Pat Reardon (15.91 lbs) 1st
Jim Muscat/Dave Greger (15.75 lbs) 2nd
Joe Sobczak/Art Sobczak (11.8 lbs) 3rd
Terry Eisenbarth/Cody Eisenbarth (11.11 lbs) 4th
Robert Hickey/Jason Mundel (10.93 lbs) 5th
Click here for complete results
2011 CANYON FERRY WALLEYE FESTIVAL
STORY LINE: The 13th annual Canyon Ferry Walleye
Festival, which also was the third leg of the 2011
Montana walleye circuit, was held on June 24th and 25th.
Record water flows coming in made the south end bite
very tough to none in pre fish. Mid-lake fishing was at
its highest ever. The weather in pre fish was excellent,
some winds with lots of sunshine. But what about the
fish?? Where were they or were there any left?? That
seemed to be the campground talk. No question, the
number and the quality of fish was way behind, small
classes of eyes could be found. But someone always finds
the bigger ones during the tourney, or will they? Only
the score board would tell.
DAY ONE: Great weather met the 150 teams at the 6:00 am
start time. The stream of boats that used to go south
didn't, north was the direction. Like the pre fish, lots
of small fish were found, a few that would weigh in at
14 inches. Only 15 teams filled their cards of 5 eyes
and only 3 eyes were 4lbs or better. The leader’s day
one, team # 47, Shane Pursley of Helena and Pat Reardon
of Manhattan, found that one good hook set for an 8.08
lb eye and 4 other to back it gave them 12.76lbs. The
big eye found them the winners of the big eye pot of
$1,450. A father / son team # 86, Terry and Cody
Eisenbarth of Great Falls brought in a good weight of 4
eyes for 10.08lbs and found them in second place. From
there the weights dropped to 5 to 6 lbs, which means
very small fish. The presentation of choice seemed to be
slow, vertical jigs, very little on the cast, 16 to 20
foot depth. Would more big fish show up on day two? We
could only wait and see.
DAY TWO: The weather was kind with some stronger winds
in the afternoon. The fishing didn't pick up; it went
downhill, with only 6 teams filling cards. One team #45,
Jim Muscat of Bozeman and Dave Greger of the Gallitin
let it all hang out and went SOUTH. They worked cranks
through all the debris and found some nice eyes waiting.
They turned 5 eyes for 12.36 lbs, with one of them being
3.66lbs that was good for the big eye pot of $1,450. The
teams filling their cards found they climbed the score
board. No question the final weights were going to be
small and still cash a check.
FINALS: Interesting to say the least, the Canyon Ferry
tourney would be won by less than 20lbs. In fact, the
day one leader, team# 47 of Pursley and Reardon, found
two small fish day two for 3.15 lbs and turned in the
winning weight of 15.91 lbs to take home the $10,000
check. The team #45, of Muscat and Greger, almost pulled
off the comeback, having only 3.39 lbs day one, then
finding 12.36 lbs day two for a total of 15.75 lbs and a
nice second place finish check of $5,000. The tourney
paid out 25 final top weights along with mixed couple
and adult child moneys down 3 places. Even a 13 ¼ inch
northern was found and made $100 for team #23, HP
Nuernberger and Jon Stroller of Billings, a couple of
Montana’s best pike fishermen. In the end the fishery
left lots of questions. Was it lack of eyes, lack of
quality eyes, lack of food or the high water conditions
that made the scores so low? When asking the tourney
staff, who along with the Chamber sponsors, did an
excellent job to put on this event, what they thought,
they answered “we can only hope the fishing gets
better”.
As for next years tourney, there is no lack of
enthusiasm with this group and the Chamber, as they
already are planning to make the EVENT better!!!
Written by: Luckie Bethel, co-director Montana circuit
|
A special
thanks to Lund and Townsend Marine for being such
strong supporters of the tournament and circuit.
Also a special thanks to Big R who provided most of
what was used for scoring -- weigh boards, boat
boards, weigh cards, and funds for other scoring
supplies. |
Fall Classic - COMPLETE
The Fall Classic tournament paid out 1st place Adult/Child $300.00 plus prizes and plaque, 2nd place Adult/Child $200.00 plus prizes, 1st place Dinosaur $200.00 plus prizes and plaque, 1st place Mixed/Couple $200.00 plus prizes and plaque. The tournament also paid out $100.00 daily to closest to 5lbs of walleye, largest smallmouth bass, and most species. Tons of prizes and lots of fun, largest Walleye and Northern were worth 540.00 per day. Largest Walleye of the tournament was a 31.5 inch piggy walleye, caught by Bob Hickey and Jason Mundel, this is also largest Walleye of the Circuit so far, and largest Northern was a whopping 43 inch, 22 lb monster, caught by Raye Cole and Steve Thomas.
 1st Place Dan Pluth and Jim Brown - 30.65 pounds - $2400 payout |
 2nd Jim Muscat and Dave Greger - 30.54 pounds - $1600 payout |
 3rd Jason Mundel and Bob Hickey - 27.02 pounds - $1100 payout |
 4th Patrick Slater and Sam Cotterell - 22.84 pounds - $950 payout |
 2nd place - Adult/Child -Ken and Lane Hengel - 20.28 pounds - $650 payout |
 Family/Novice - Chris Mann and Mike Holmberg - 4.01 pounds - $250 payout |
 Mixed Couples Terry and Loretta Druyvestein - 15.61 pounds - $200 payout |
 1st place - Adult/Child - Mike and Bobby McElvain - 21.62 pounds - $1150 payout |
 Top Dinosaur - Sam Cotterell and Luckie Bethel - 22.84 pounds - $200 payout |
Click here for Complete Results
Story Line: 2011 Fall Classic
STORY LINE: Unbelievable!! Simple word with lots of
meaning and is the best word for the 2011 Fall Classic.
If you had never been to a tourney and seen how one
should be run this Fall Classic, 55 miles of gravel to
Crooked Creek, would have been one to see or be in. With
the waters back up, the Lewistown Walleyes Unlimited
Chapter put on an event that will be talked about for
sometime. As for the fishing it was okay, not great, but
sure had smiles on the faces as numbers of eyes were
being found. The issue was who would find the size
needed to take home the title. Only the score board
would tell that story.
Day One: With the water high and weather hot, 50 teams
were off to find those special size eyes. Some teams had
good success, others less, but it seemed that most teams
found the bite to be much less then prefish. However
team # 8, Bob Hickey of Kalispell and Jason Mundel of
Coran, lead the field with 5 eyes for a nice weight of
20.88 lbs, with one being 12.7 lbs and won them the $580
big eye pot. No question this team is one of top teams
in Montana today and they live miles away from the
waters they have to fish. Another one of Montana’s best
teams, team # 45 Jim Muscat and Dave Greger of Bozeman,
got 5 eyes for a weight of 18.38 lbs and second place
for the day. Team #26, Patrick Slater of Powell Wyoming
and Sam Cotterall of Bozeman, found their 5 eyes for
15.3 lbs to be good for third place of the day. Forty
five teams weighted eyes day one and 26 filled their
cards. With the bite like it was and the fact that we
were on Fort Peck, the tourney was far from over as
other teams sat in the position to have the right bite
and move up the score board. Would they?? Only day two
would tell that story.
Day Two: The weather was a factor as the field of 50
teams headed out. Winds were much stronger and switched
to the north east which changed the bite for many teams.
Twenty teams found their 5 eyes to fill their cards and
no 30 inch hogs were caught. But one team # 47, Dan
Pluth of Gallatin and Jim Brown of Livingston, lead the
day as their deep water presentation between old and new
willow lines held true and they filled their card of 5
eyes for 16.81 lbs, which included one for 8.58 lbs and
good for the $580. Team 45, Muscat and Greger, weighted
another 5 eyes for second place day weight of 12.16 lbs.
Team # 21, Mike and Bobby McElvain of Billings, an
adult/child team, had the only other weight in the teens
with 5 eyes for 11.5 lbs. The scores fell off from there
with lots of 6 to 9 lb weights. As in many tourney’s the
new second day weights would change the outcome of the
tourney in many ways. But how close would it be???
Final Scores: Tourneys come down to close scores but
this one might be the closest ever as places were
determined by hundredths of a pound. Team # 47, Pluth
and Brown, came from a two fish 4th place day one to
capture the 2011 Fall Classic title with a total of
30.65 lbs good for $2400. This edged out team 45, Muscat
and Greger, who had 30.54 lbs good for the second place
check of $1600. First day leaders, team #8, Hickey and
Mundel took the 3rd place check of $1100 with 27.02 lbs.
Team #26, Slater and Cotterell, held on to their 4th
place with 22.84 lbs good for $950. Cotterell also
captured the Dinosaur Award which is for the person 62
or older that has the best two day weight. He proved
that you are never too old to fish and win. The father
and son team #21, Mike and Bobby McElvain, really had a
weekend, not only taking home the Adult Child prizes and
money but they took home the overall 5th place check of
$850 with 21.62 lbs. What a smile this put on the face
of this young angler, Bobby, and made us all see what
these tourney’s can do for all ages. The tourney paid
the top 13 places which is excellent for a 50 team
event. But more important was the many other categories
the tourney did to get so many teams going home with
something. They had day places for biggest bass, multi
species, closest to the weight of 5 lbs, biggest
northern and walleye. Top boat brands were paid money
for Ranger, Lund and one for all other brands. A new
category called novice class, which is for beginner
teams found checks. Adult child and mixed couples paid
down two positions.
(See all results in the pictures and scores below).
Summary: This is one remote Montana tourney that has
earned its reputation with its staff and sponsors. The
most impressive thing was the attitudes and desire of
the staff and sponsors. They went out of their way in so
many little ways to make sure they provided the service
needed to the teams. When asked about next year they
replied “keep the water up and we will make it even
better”
Written by: Luckie Bethel, co-director Montana circuit
|
Thanks to all of our sponsors!
|
Where does the conservation fee money go?
Over the years this question above has been asked, and the
only folks that knew, were the tournament directors. We
decided as a group that this information should be
published. It is great for everyone to know how this money
is being spent.
If your wondering what the conservation fee is, here it
is. Every Montana Walleye tournament charges the anglers a
$10.00 per team conservation fee. This fee is part of FWP,
and angler groups, working together to give back to the
local fisheries. It can be used for many things, but the
bottom line is, it must be used at the fishery where the
tournament took place and must help to enhance, the
fishery in some way.
Here is a rundown on where the fee went at each Montana
Walleyes Unlimited Circuit tournament:
1. Fresno used that money for their Christmas tree habitat
project and their annual kids fishing day.
2. Tiber and Canyon Ferry used that money to help with
their Christmas tree, habitat projects.
3. Fall Classic helped install a new selective harvest
sign at Crooked Creek Marina.
4. Fall Finale helped FWP financially with supplies for
walleye biology on Yellow Tail Reservoir.
Broadwater Rod & Gun Walleye Derby - COMPLETE
Thank you to everyone who fished the Broadwater Rod & Gun Walleye Derby this past weekend in Townsend.
Congratulations to Carol Campbell who caught at 26" Walleye! All together there were 97 Walleye caught with a total weight of 111.25 pounds.
1st Overall - Curt and Carol Campbell - $600
Big Walleye - Curt and Carol Campbell - $510
Male/Female 1st Place - Curt and Carol Campbell - $400
Adult/Child 1st Place - Tim March and Troy Suprlock - $400
Female/Female 1st Place - Sahwna McCartney and Rachel Stubbendeck - $400
Thank you to all of the sponsors of this event: Bunkhouse Bar,
Broadwater Rod & Gun Club, Reller's
Bent Willow, Kit's Tackle, Designer Tackle, Townsend Area Chamber of
Commerce, and Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival for the Youth Raffle and a huge thanks to State Bank
of Townsend for supporting the tournament.
Click here for full results
Glasgow/Ft Peck Women’s Walleye Tournament - COMPLETE
The 11th Annual Women's Walleye Fishing Tournament will be held Saturday, July 30th. 80% Payout of Cash and Prized. $80/Team and ages 12 - 17 must be with an adult partner.
Newly updated form, please be sure you have all the info!
Click here for the application
John Arnold Tournament - COMPLETE
[08.08.2011]
Nine teams fish this years John Arnold Tournament hosted by Upper Missouri River Walleyes Unlimited. This small tournament is held on Hauser Lake at York Bridge. Below are some photos from the event
 Mike and Johnelle Cook some Walleye after the event |
 Roxanne and Tom shared the biggest Walleye with Shannon and Jim |
 Shannon and Jim - 1st Place |
 |
 Biggest Perch |
 |
Fort Peck Lake Championship Walleyes Unlimited Series
2011 Fort Peck Circuit Wrap-up
Dan Majeske and Scott MacIntrye capture Angler and Team of the year in 2011 Fort Peck Lake Championship Walleyes Unlimited Series
The 2nd year of the new tournament trail certainly proved to
be a huge success with approximately 300 different anglers
competing in the Rock Creek, Hell Creek and Governor’s Cup
Walleye fishing tournament. The competitors were able to
combine their best two tournaments to demonstrate their
collective efforts in the Fort Peck Championship Series. The
overall number of participants increased slightly from the
previous season. All three tourneys are planning continued
participation for 2012 and staff from all three tournaments
look forward to bigger and better things for the upcoming
season.
Fort Peck Reservoir provided anglers with decent fishing for
much of the 2011season. However, Mother Nature once again
showed who’s boss by initiating some inopportune weather
pattern changes right before several of the events and made
the fishing a little tough for many. Fort Peck was at record
levels and flooded out both Rock Creek Marina and Fort Peck
Marina at times during the year. The marina operators and
staff demonstrated their Montana resilience and kept the
facilities open in at least a partial capacity through the
rapidly raising water. All in all the tournaments were
extremely well run, well received and most importantly an
excellent experience for the anglers. The season opener was
one by Billings’ anglers Dan “Magic Man” Majeske and Scott
MacKenzie who put together two phenomenal days of fishing at
the 2011 Rock Creek Walleyes Tournament and nearly eclipsed
the long standing Fort Peck and Montana record ten - fish
limit of 93.58 pounds from 2007, set by Glasgow’s Todd Riggs
and Ken Schmidt. The Rock Creek Walleye Tournament has
offered a $1000 Bounty to any team topping the record.
Majeske and MacKenzie (M & M) came close with a two-day
limit of 86.80 pounds and included big fish of the
tournament with a 33 ½ 15.44 pound behemoth to start the day
on Sunday. This weight is believed to be the second highest
weight of all-time from any 2 day/ten fish walleye event
from across Montana. The top-team used jigs and minnows with
a near vertical presentation to pull the walleyes out of a
very full and snag filled reservoir. The M & M team went on
the Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament and placed a
respectable 5th place. The championship was not decided
until the final event and the Governor’s Cup winners Craig
Hallock and Dallas Smith had the opportunity to knock off
Majeske and MacKenzie but they would have needed a 4 place
finish or better to do so. Kris Keller and Levi Sugg put
together two consistent days of fishing to become back to
back winners of the Hell Creek Walleye tourney. Keller and
Sugg edged out day 1 leaders, Casey Thomas and Marvin
Loomis, who ended up in 2nd place. All of the awards will
presented at the state convention
Thanks to the sponsors of the Fort Peck Championship Walleye
Series including Nemont Beverage & Budweiser, Hi-Line Ford,
Mon-Dak Marine, Malta Marine, GIt-n-Go, Rock Creek Marina
and all of the sponsors of each event for helping to make
the tournament series a tremendous success.
The proposed tournament dates for 2012 are as follows – Rock
Creek Walleye Tournament June 2 & 3, Governor’s Cup Walleye
Tournament July 12-14, and the Hell Creek Walleye Tournament
21 & 22. Here are the top ten finishers for 2011. The
Adult/Child award goes to Tyler Mindt and Randy Aten and the
Mixed couple award went to Bill and Marlyce Dasinger of Wolf
Point.
1st - Dan Majeske
Scott Mackenzie
2nd - Norm Sillerud
3rd - Bill Sinks
4th - Kris Keller
5th - Kevin Anthony
6th - Randy Hurst
Todd Dooley
7th - Marty Oyloe
8th - Levi Sugg
9th - Kevin Harper
Mark Jones
10th - Jake Hatzenbiler
Cash and awards for top finishers for 2012
1.The top three places for Angler of the Year award will
receive the following – 1st place $1000.00, 2nd place $500 &
3rd place $250 and plaques for all.
2.The highest placing Team of the Year will receive $250.00
and top three places will receive plaques.
3.The highest place Adult/child Team will receive $200.00,
plus 2 Rod and Reel combos donated by Mon-Dak Marine and
Malta Marine. The top three teams will all receive plaques.
4.The highest place Adult/child Team will receive $200.00,
plus 2 Rod and Reel combos donated by Mon-Dak Marine and
Malta Marine. The top three teams will all receive plaques.
5.The Largest Walleye Caught and released in the
Championship Series will receive $1000.00 and plaques,
donated by Hi-Line Ford of Glasgow, Git-N-Go and J & M
Distributing both of Wolf Point.
Fort Peck Championship Series
[11.04.2011]
Angler of the Year Race - Unofficial standings after Rock Creek and Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournaments. There are numerous other anglers that may still qualify if they have fished either Rock Creek or Gov Cup and go on to fish Hell Creek this weekend. The race for angler of the year is very close and should be an exciting weekend at Hell Creek!
Final results are in!! Click here to review the full listings.
Rock Creek Walleye Tournament - COMPLETE
Bounty Hunters Dan Majeske and Scott MacKenzie shoot for
Rock Creek Record Weight, By Steve Harada
Billings’ anglers Dan “Magic Man” Majeske and Scott
MacKenzie put together two phenomenal days of fishing at
the 2011 Rock Creek Walleyes Tournament and nearly
eclipsed the long standing Fort Peck and Montana record
ten - fish limit of 93.58 pounds from 2007, set by
Glasgow’s Todd Riggs and Ken Schmidt. The Rock Creek
Walleye Tournament has offered a $1000 Bounty to any
team topping the record. Majeske and MacKenzie came
close with a two-day limit of 86.80 pounds and included
big fish of the tournament with a 33 ½ 15.44 pound
behemoth to start the day on Sunday. This weight is
believed to be the second highest weight of all-time
from any 2 day/ten fish walleye event from across
Montana. The top-team used jigs and minnows with a near
vertical presentation to pull the walleyes out of a very
full and snag filled reservoir. Majeske demonstrated his
versatility by not sticking to his tried and true crank
bait attack and between him and MacKenzie they
definitely pegged the presentation the walleyes wanted.
The championship team took home $1800 for 1st place and
additional $840 for big-fish pot. Second place with an
also very impressive weight goes to North Dakota anglers
Marty Oyloe from Williston and Sheldon Meidinger of
Bismark with 55.34 pounds and received $1200. Third
place honors and $1000 went to adult/child team of Randy
Aten from Fairview and Taylor Mindt of Lambert with a
very respectable 53.0 pounds from 7 fish. Aten and Mindt
also won an extra $200 for the adult/child competition.
The mixed couple award was captured by Bill and Marlys
Dasinger from Wolf Point with a two-day weight of 25.02
and 14th place overall. The “Cool Under Pressure Award”
was presented to the adult/child team of Mike and Bobby
McElvain from Billings, who went from zero to tenth
place overall and a second day catch of 28.85 pounds.
It appears the home field advantage theory didn’t play
much of a factor in this year’s event. Nineteen double
digit walleyes were recorded and only 3 teams caught
their 10 fish limit.
A total of 44 teams competed in the 2011 event and had a
total payout of $7200 or a shade over 86% payback after
the $10 conservation fee. The top 20% of teams took home
a check. Congratulations to all of the top teams and
thanks to everyone who fished the annual Rock Creek
Walleye Tournament. Thanks to tournament sponsors Nemont
Beverage of Glasgow, Wolf Point Walleyes Unlimited and
the Rock Creek Marina.
Top 5 - 2011 Rock Creek Walleye Tournament Results
Dan Majeski/Scott Mackenzie - 1st (85.80 lbs)
Marty Oyloe/Sheldon Meidinger - 2nd (58.34)
Randy Aten/Taylor Mindt - 3rd (53.00)
Jake hatzenbiler/Luke Sundby - 4th (45.02)
Dale Smithson/Trevor Johnson - 5th (43.54)
Click
here for the full results
Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament - COMPLETE
Hell Creek Walleye Tournament July - COMPLETE
1st- Kris Keller/ Levi Sugg
2nd- Casey Thomas/ Marvin Loomis
3rd- Rocky Burman/ Bruce Storlie
Mixed Couple-PJ Hoverson/ Allison Hoverson
Adult/ Child- Bill Sinks/ Dereck Sinks
