Bro's in the lead, but can he hang on? - Major League Fishing

Bro’s in the lead, but can he hang on?

Among the other contenders, a hard-charging Fargo pro is aiming for an upset
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The top 10 pros and co-anglers prepare to launch on the final day of the Walmart FLW Walleye Tour tournament on Leech Lake. First through tenth places are separated by 12 pounds, 5 ounces in the pro division and 6 pounds in the co-angler division. Photo by Vince Meyer.
June 13, 2009 • Vince Meyer • Archives

WALKER, Minn. – It’s come down to this for the final round of the Walmart FLW Walleye Tour tournament on Leech Lake: 10 pros separated by 12 pounds, 5 ounces, and 10 co-anglers separated by 6 pounds.

Who will “hoist the hardware” later this afternoon?

Smart money in the pro division is on Brian Brosdahl of Max, Minn., an area guide who “can catch anything that swims,” according to local legend. But just an ounce back is Tom Keenan of Hatley, Wis., who led the tournament after the first two days.

Call that one a coin flip.

In the co-angler division Larry Oleson of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. and Paul Doute, Jr. of Southgate, Mich. are tied for first with 38 pounds, 14 ounces. Just seven ounces back is Justin Steinke of Birnamwood, Wis.

Call that one a coin flip.Brian Bjorkman of Fargo, N.D. and his co-angler, Scott Perz of Crystal Lake, Ill. prepare to head out on day three. Both anglers are in seventh place.

Yes, a classic walleye war is shaping up on this sprawling 112,00-acre lake in north-central Minnesota, and today’s winner must do his work under a mostly cloudy sky with a southwest wind at 10-15 mph, conditions which most anglers would agree are about perfect.

Though it’s easy to key on the top five when handicapping an event like this – for in truth they all would have to stumble badly for one of them not to win – sometimes it’s more prudent to look farther down in the standings for an angler who’s made a hard charge up the standings.

Here that would be Brian Bjorkman, who finished day one in 78th place, jumped to 19th after day two and went out this morning in seventh place.

That’s a big jump, but not uncharacteristic of the Fargo, N.D. pro, who’s competed in 23 tour events since 2003. At the last tour stop at Lake Pepin he pulled low weights on days one and two but ended up in fifth place when it was all over. So no matter what happens today this marks his second consecutive top 10. He started today with 36 pounds, 5 ounces, just over 10 pounds off Brosdahl’s leading weight.

This morning at the docks before takeoff Bjorkman said he never lost faith even after his tough day one.

“Fishing this lake is all about making the right decisions,” he said. “I had a lot of areas that were producing fish, but this lake is so big you can’t make all your spots in one day. But I made the right call on day two and day three and here I am in the top 10.”

Toby Kvalevog of Brainerd, Minn. pulls back from the dock at the start of day four. HeWeigh-in begins at Northern Lights Casino at 2:30 p.m. Prior to weigh-in a family fishing clinic will take place beginning at 1:30 p.m., with free rods and reels for all kids attending. Both events are free and open to the public.

Today’s weather

Temperature at takeoff: 53 degrees.

Sky: Mostly cloudy.

Wind: Southwest at 3 mph.

Barometric pressure: 29.96 inches and steady.

Forecast: Scattered thunderstorms with a high of 73 degrees. Chance of rain 30 percent. Wind southwest at 10-15 mph.