Miller cruises to co-angler title

Lowell, Ind., fisherman earns $10,000

ESCANABA, Mich. – Three years ago Jerry Miller began prefishing for Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour events with pro Joe McCartin. His first time out, he nailed an 11-pound walleye on the Detroit River. Ever since, he’s been hooked.

On day four of the final qualifier of the 2008 season on Lake Michigan’s Bays de Noc, Miller coasted to victory by catching two “overs” and one slot that weighed 15 pounds, 12 ounces. Per Michigan rules, anglers can weigh only two walleyes over 23 inches in length.

Those three fish were more than enough to take home the title and $10,000. Miller led the tournament since the conclusion of day two. On day one he was partnered with pro Nick Heelein, and the two caught four walleyes weighing 20 pounds, 11 ounces. On day two Miller fished with Thomas Vanderweide, and they combined for a limit weighing 19 pounds, 4 ounces. On day three the co-angler champion fished with Prilosec pro David Kolb and caught five walleyes for 19 pounds, 1 ounce.

“This was an event of a lifetime,” said the 71-year-old retired pipe fitter. “I was just trying to have some fun and do a good job for my pros. I never dreamed after seven tournaments I would be in this position.”

On the final day of competition, Miller was once again paired with Vanderweide. This time it wasn’t Thomas, it was his son – 27-year-old Josh Vanderweide. Using teamwork, the two trolled with gold and silver spinners in the middle of the column. Since he fished with Thomas on day two, Miller was familiar with both the area and the program.

“They’re both excellent, and they’re both gentlemen,” said Miller when asked which family member was the better angler.

In addition to winning the Bays de Noc qualifier, Miller will be fishing in the no-entry-fee 2008 FLW Walleye Tour Championship on the Missouri River in Bismarck, N.D.

“All I was hoping for was enough points to make the championship. I never expected to win.”

Fremstad finishes runner-up

Fishing with his good friend and travel partner Tom Keenan, co-angler Heath Fremstad caught four walleyes weighing 23 pounds, 6 ounces on day four, bringing his total weight to 66 pounds, 10 ounces. Like Keenan, Fremstad started the day in fourth place and finished second in his respective division.

The two hauled in the heaviest catch of the day by trolling spinners at 1.3 to 1.5 mph. The best colors were metallic purple and gold.

“It was just like going out prefishing,” said Fremstad, who was making his second top-10 appearance on the Walleye Tour. “I already knew where everything was in the boat and how he operates. That made it easy. Tom is a good friend and a great guy to learn from.”

With four drift socks out in high winds, Fremstad was in charge of the Minn Kota engine-mounted trolling motor.

“He was steering and watching the boards, and I was controlling the speed.”

Fremstad almost didn’t even qualify for the final round of 10 boats. With five minutes to spare on day three he popped a big fish, only his second of the day.

“That’s the way it worked all week. I got the best day out of each of my four pros. You can’t ask for anything more than that.”

For his efforts, Fremstad earned $4,449.

Kerzee, Jones, Knudson round out top five

Finishing in third place was David Kerzee of Westerville, Ohio, with a four-day total of 54 pounds, 9 ounces, good for $2,669. In fourth place was Chuck Jones of Michigan City, Ind., who finished with 51-3 and $2,224. In fifth was day-one leader Kim Knudson of Glendive, Mont., who earned $2,002 for 51 pounds even.

Rounding out the top 10 co-angler finalists at the FLW Walleye Tour event on Bays de Noc:

6th: Jimmy Cox of Bono, Ark., 50-5, $2,438 ($659 Ranger bonus)

7th: David Lillge of Kaukauna, Wis., 50-1, $1,557

8th: Fred Gordon of Willmar, Minn., 48-14, $1,335

9th: Scott Peterson of Escanaba, Mich., 46-15, $1,112

10th: Dennis Buechel of Fond du Lac, Wis., 40-14, $890

The $650,000 FLW Walleye Tour Championship is slated for Sept. 24-27 on the Missouri River in Bismarck, N.D. Only the top 50 pros and top 50 co-anglers from the regular season advance to the no-entry-fee championship. New for 2008, the pro and co-angler champions from each of the four Walleye League Divisions qualify as well, bringing the total number of competitors in each division to 54.