Quick Bites: RCL Championship, Day 4
2003 Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Championship
Mississippi River, Moline, Ill.
Pro finals, Saturday
River zone … Congrats to Wisconsin’s Nick Johnson for the biggest win of his walleye tournament career. Most guys who win these demanding four-day events achieve some level of being “in the zone,” in sports parlance, during the tournament. But Johnson says he was in the zone before he even got here, if only because he felt this stretch of the Mississippi River was eerily similar to the water he fishes upriver back home. “I had a premonition when I came down here that I was going to win this tournament, so I was relaxed all day today,” he said. “But I couldn’t believe that those four little fish I had made me $300,000.”
Hot spot … Despite the frustrating slot limit – or, more likely, directly because of it – the pros were singing the praises of the fishery on this part of the Mighty Mississippi. Weights were down throughout the week, yes, but only because anglers had to throw so many back. It’s not like they weren’t catching them. “It’s my first time on this part of the river,” said fourth-place pro Rick LaCourse. “I can tell you they’ve got a world-class sauger fishery here, and we’ve just touched the tip of it this week.”
Contingency awards … Dan Plautz won the Shop-Vac Clean Sweep award for the heaviest weight in the opening round: 18 pounds, 13 ounces. He took home an array of Shop-Vac products. “Awesome,” he said. “I’ve got three boys at home who could use them, too.” … Russell McDonald won the Energizer Keeps on Going award for coming from the farthest back on day one to qualify for the final round. He caught just 4 pounds, 1 ounce and placed 49th Wednesday, but ultimately finished in second place.
Showtime … The 2004 RCL Championship will air on the Outdoor Life Network at 12 p.m. Central time Sunday, Oct. 17. OLN will also replay the broadcast at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21.
Quick numbers
75,000: Value, in dollars, of each of the four walleyes caught by Nick Johnson Saturday.
1,179: Percent increase in Johnson’s FLW Outdoors career earnings after winning $300,000 Saturday. Before this week, his total earnings were $27,810.
Sound bites
“I’m a river rat – from Lake Erie.”
– Rick LaCourse, enjoying his time on the Mississippi River.
“These walleye guys can rock and roll.”
– Pro John Hertensteiner, comparing competitive walleye fishing to its high-octane cousin, competitive bass fishing.
“I can’t believe the weather out here. It was snowing in Canada.”
– Russell McDonald, from Dryden, Ontario, marveling at the balmy weather the anglers had for the first three days of the championship.