Goligowski gores another limit, leads heading into final day on Devils Lake

Courts sits 3 ounces back as stage is set for dramatic finish

SPIRIT LAKE, N.D. – It has been a topsy-turvy week and day three of the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour Open on Devils Lake was no exception. As the leaderboard shifted yet again, Kevin Goligowski and Mark Courts surfaced in first and second as the two pros found themselves separated by a mere 3 ounces.

Goligowski said he caught more fish today than yesterday, but many of them were short fish.

“I got my last good one with about five minutes left to fish,” he said.

The Maplewood, Minn., native brought five walleyes to the scale that weighed 22 pounds, 1 ounce, bringing his three-day total to 67 pounds, 12 ounces. Goligowski and pro John Kolinski carry the distinction of being the only anglers to catch 20 or more pounds each day.

“I have had a sense of calmness surrounding me all week,” said Goligowski. “It kind of feels like this is my tournament.”

Goligowski is concerned that even more wind tomorrow could affect his pattern. “I might have to head back and look at the map. I’m getting a little nervous to be honest. My first spot still owes me a fish, so I’ll get it tomorrow.”

Courts closely behind in second

Mark Courts had yet another successful day and moved from fifth place to second place with a five-walleye limit of 22 pounds, 8 ounces. Courts said he using two presentations at one time, which enables him to cover a lot of ground. Although he didn’t want to get into specifics, Courts did say he was using leeches.

“I honestly think I have a chance to win this one,” he said. “The wind doesn’t affect my spot at all because we’re tucked back into a little corner. I’ve probably only moved 200 yards in three days.”

A noticeably self-assured Courts is enjoying the final regular-season event of the year.

“This lake has treated me really well over the years,” said Courts. “It’s a good way to end the season. Tomorrow is going to be a shootout.”

Flynn moves up eight spots to third

Tim Flynn had his best day of the tournament, boating five walleyes on day three that weighed 24 pounds, 13 ounces, bringing his opening-round total to 65 pounds, 10 ounces.

“It feels real good being in contention for the big prize,” said Flynn. “We were fishing with both bobbers and crankbaits. We were done fishing at about 9:30 a.m.”

Flynn remarked how aggressive his fish were despite some windy weather and immense waves. Flynn fishes the tour with his wife Janet, and the two are hoping for a trip to Moline, Ill., for the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour Championship.

“I hope my wife makes it to the championship,” Flynn said. “It would be great if we could both go.”

Olson fourth

Rising to fourth place was Mina, S.D., native Rick Olson. After bringing in 25 pounds, 4 ounces on day two, Olson was able to manage five walleyes that weighed 19 pounds, 9 ounces on day three. Olson’s opening-round weight was 64 pounds, 4 ounces.

Kolinski fifth

In fifth place was John Kolinski of Greenville, Wis., who caught five walleyes that weighed 23 pounds, 5 ounces. Kolinski has registered 20 pounds or more each day on Devils Lake. He rose five places with his day-three performance and finished the opening round with 64 pounds, 3 ounces.

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top 10 pros who will be fishing on day four on Devils Lake:

6th: William Drake of Horace, N.D., 61-11

7th: Dustin Kjelden of Brookings, S.D., 61-8

8th: Joe McCartin of Land O Lakes, Wis., 60-9

9th: Scott Fairbairn of Hager City, Wis., 59-1

10th: Don Denning of Fargo, N.D., 58-12

Gordon gets bit, takes over co-angler lead

On the co-angler side Fred Gordon moved from third to first by pairing with Jim Peterson and bringing 17 pounds, 7 ounces of walleye to the scale. Although Gordon caught his smallest limit of the tournament, he was the beneficiary of some serious leaderboard shuffling.

“I had a very good pro who knew what I needed and helped me out,” said Gordon. “We caught probably 18 or 20 fish by slip-bobbering with leeches. I had a great time today and I have just as good of a chance as anybody else tomorrow.”

Finishing the opening round in second place was Mark Magness of Fargo, N.D. Magness partnered with Duane Ten Cate on day three and caught five walleyes that weighed 11 pounds, 13 ounces to push his total to 62 pounds, 14 ounces.

“Today was sort of a tough day for numbers,” said Magness. “We caught seven or eight fish all day.”

Magness is participating in his first competitive fishing tournament of any kind.

“It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “To me, I just wanted to show up and have a good time.”

Co-angler Brian Drake of Merrimac, Wis., caught three walleyes that weighed 6 pounds even, falling two places to third with a total weight of 62 pounds, 4 ounces.

Daryl Zimney of Jamestown, N.D., claimed the fourth spot for the co-anglers with a combined weight of 60 pounds, 1 ounce.

Fifth place for the co-anglers went to David Tufte of Audubon, Minn., for 54 pounds, 5 ounces.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers who will fish on day four on Devils Lake:

6th: Mike Zawistowski of Wonder Lake, Ill., 54-0

7th: Thomas Grzadzielesk of Drayton, N.D., 53-15

8th: Jason Treptau of Becker, Minn., 53-3

9th: John Hight of Pierre, S.D., 53-3

10th: Randy Blasky of Fordville, N.D., 51-7

The final day of FLW Walleye Tour competition on Devils Lake begins as the top 10 pro and co-anglers take off from Spirit Lake Casino & Resort at 7 a.m. CT Saturday. The final weigh-in will take place at 4 p.m. CT from the Wal-Mart store located in Devils Lake.