Franklin’s four lead the way at Red Wing

Pro maintains edge over RCL crowd; Lessila lands co-angler title

Crestliner pro Rick Franklin of Louisburg, Kan., weighed in four walleyes this afternoon for a total weight of 16 pounds, enough to lead the final six pros into the last day of the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit Championship.

Today marked the third day in a row that Franklin has been one shy of the daily limit of five walleyes. With gusting winds, heavy rain and generally terrible fishing conditions, Franklin is hoping for a limit tomorrow to have a shot at taking home the most important championship in walleye fishing.

“Today was not a great fishing day,” said Franklin. “Once again, I only managed to catch 4 fish. Fortunately they were big enough to get me into the final round. I think I am going to have to get five tomorrow to win this tournament.”

Fishing for $300,000 is putting plenty of pressure on Franklin.

“I am qualified to take home $300,000 if I win,” said Franklin. “That is really putting a lot of pressure on me. It is very tough going into the final round of this tournament, leading the last two days. I am definitely feeling the pressure; it doesn’t help my nerves.”

Franklin’s four walleyes were caught at four different spots Friday.

“I could not catch more than one walleye per spot today,” said Franklin. “I had to move around to catch my fish today.”

Franklin’s primary approach today was fishing with three-way rigs baited with a floating jig and crawler.

Nailing down the second position heading into Saturday’s final with four walleyes weighing 12 pounds and 3 ounces was Crestliner pro Bruce “Doc” Samson of Minnetrista, Minn. Samson said, if he catches a keeper, it is going into the livewell.

“I kept every keeper I caught today,” said Samson. “I plan on doing the same thing tomorrow. I just am not as good as some of these guys.”

Samson fished various locations in the 3-foot-11-inch depth range in Pool 3.

Grabbing hold of the third spot with three walleyes weighing 10 pounds and 10 ounces was Ranger pro Joe Wilson of Rolling Stone, Minn. Wilson said he feels changing river conditions might hurt his chances tomorrow.

“I feel very lucky today,” said Wilson. “With all of the wind and rain, I only had three bites. I was fortunate to get them into the boat. I think the changing river conditions might hurt me tomorrow. The river was getting pretty nasty.”

In the fourth spot with four walleyes weighing 7 pounds and 10 ounces was Lund pro Mike Gofron of Antioch, Ill. Gofron also said he feels the changing river conditions might pose a problem for him.

“I saw a huge log, a bucket and plenty of muddy water floating down the river where I was fishing today,” said Gofron. “The river is really getting in poor fishing condition. I will be scratching my head tonight trying to figure out how to fish my areas tomorrow. The one thing I might do is fish clearer water, if I can find it.”

Rounding out the finalists are, in the No. 5 spot, Ranger pro Richard Nascak of Winona, Minn., with 7 pounds, and, in sixth, RCL pro Brad Knoll of Menasha, Wis., with 6 pounds.

Tomorrow’s champion has the potential to take home a check for $400,000.

Takeoff for the final round will be at 8 a.m. at the
Treasure Island Resort and Casino Marina, (800) 222-7077, located at 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road in Red Wing, Minn.

Lessila nets $75,000 check

Co-angler champ Tim Lessila of Newberlin, Wis., struck it rich and will take home a check for $75,000. The championship is only his second tournament.

“Unlike a lot of co-anglers, I don’t fish in any other tournament circuits,” said Lessila. “In fact, this is only the second tournament I have ever fished. I fished the RCL event at Lake Winnebago this year to qualify for this event.”

One phone call changed Lessila’s destiny.

“I was not even planning on fishing this tournament,” said Lessila. “One of the people from the RCL headquarters called me about a month or so ago and asked if I was going to compete. It cost $750 to enter, so I hesitated a bit.

“Then I told them, `Yeah, I’ll give it a try,'” the tournament novice said. “I am sure glad the people at the RCL called me. This is a dream come true. I feel like somebody needs to pinch me to see if this is real.”

But Lessila has no plans to go pro.

“I have no plans to try and be a pro,” said Lessila. “I will pay some bills with this money and try to fish some of the RCL events again next year.”

Preview of final day

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