Pundits’ Picks Walleye: Leech Lake

Third stop of 2009 FLW Walleye Tour season takes place in northern Minnesota

Both the fishing and the punditry improved at the Mississippi River, the second stop on the 2009 FLW Walleye Tour. While pro Ted Takasaki trolled and rigged his way to the on-the-water title, Rick LaCourse claimed the top spot in the pundit world by selecting a stout roster of river rats.

While scores were up across the board, the Pro Division once again took two of three from the Staff Division, the lone victory for the staffers once again coming at the expense of Eric Olson. Sharon Reynolds bounced back from a dismal opener to defeat the Land O’Lakes pro 630 to 611. While Olson is 0-2, his fellow pro pundits are 2-0. Also winless at the season’s halfway point is rookie staff pundit Vince Meyer. Instead of choosing traditional river rats, Meyer gambled and selected veteran Minnesota pros like Harsh, Renner and McQuoid. His opponent, Jason Kerr, had no problem taking advantage. Rats like Johnson, Fairbairn and Riley helped him attain 644 points to Meyer’s 528. To add insult to injury, Meyer’s sleeper, Perry Good, was also chosen by Kerr so the 140 points essentially cancelled each other out. The high score in Red Wing went to LaCourse, who accumulated a whopping 677 points. I had the second-highest score at 653, but as luck would have it, I faced LaCourse. All I can do is tip my cap to the 1997 PWT Championship winner, who had been eagerly seeking some Red Wing revenge. Still, with only two of the five tournaments in the books, there are plenty of walleyes to be caught.

Last thing, the disclaimer: The picks in this column in no way represent any sort of favoritism on the part of FLW Outdoors staff or its pro anglers. These are merely guesses – only arguably educated – as to who we think might do well at any given tournament. With that in mind, here are the picks. Enjoy.

– Brett Carlson

Tournament site

The next stop on the 2009 Walleye Tour is Leech Lake in northern Minnesota. The Walleye Tour has never been to Leech before, but the PWT held three tournaments out of Walker. Last year the Walleye Tour visited neighboring Cass Lake, which fishes similarly. Each lake has a strict slot limit that creates excruciatingly difficult decisions. In fact, some pros will argue decision making is equally important to catching fish in slot tournaments. On Leech, tournament anglers can keep eight fish, but only two of them can be greater than 26 inches in length. The protected slot is 18-26 inches and culling is not allowed. Once their day is complete, anglers will weigh their five biggest fish. Traditionally one of the best walleye lakes in the state, Leech suffered a dramatic decline beginning six years ago and has not hosted a major tournament since 2002. In 1998, reigning Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year Pete Harsh won the PWT event on Leech with the all-time record low weight of 22 pounds. But Leech is on the rebound thanks to accelerated stocking and a reduction in the number of cormorants, a fish-eating bird that was nesting on Leech in large numbers and was blamed for decimating the walleye population. In early June, the fish will be in transition from spring to summer haunts. Currently, the fish are still shallow and are hitting jigs and rigs with redtails and creek chubs. In addition to live bait, trolling crankbaits could play a role. Like many northern Minnesota lakes, the Leech walleyes position themselves according to the wind. Depending on its direction, many pros will stack up along the popular wind-swept points.

Walmart FLW Walleye Tour stop No. 3

Leech Lake, Walker, Minn.

June 10-13

Brett Carlson Editor FLWOutdoors.com Record: 1-1 Points: 1084	VS.	Jason Kerr FLW Walleye Tour pro Holly, Mich. Record: 2-0 Points: 1143
1) BRIAN BROSDAHL. Simply put, Bro knows northern Minnesota. He may be famous for his ice-fishing tackle, but he can catch them in the summer too. Bro guides on the area lakes year round, which means he’s in tune with the seasonal migrations. I expect his Frabill net and Ranger livewell to get plenty of work this week. 2) PETE HARSH. No disrespect to last year’s champion Scott Steil, but Harsh would have won the Cass event if not for engine problems. Mr. Tiller has become versatile over the years, but his best skill is live-bait rigging, which promises to loom large on Leech. 3) TED TAKASAKI. It is impossible not to take Takasaki at this point. The guy is on an incredible roll and I see no reason why it should stop. Of all the venues on the 2009 schedule, Leech is the closest to his East Gull Lake, Minn., home. 4) CARL ADAMS JR. Just like Harsh, Adams had his chances last year on Cass. In fact, on the final day he caught 10 walleyes over 20 inches. His biggest mistake was putting a 21-incher in the box early in the morning. All those fish were caught with a Roach Rig and a 7-foot leader, which happens to be dynamite on Leech. 5) SCOTT FAIRBAIRN. Way back in the day Fairbairn used to live in Walker, Minn. During those five years he fished Leech regularly and I’m guessing he still remembers a spot or two that holds those all-important overs. Fresh off a top-10 at Red Wing, I see Fairbairn finishing the season strong. Jigging will be common in this event and there are few better at it than Fairbairn.		1) MARK CHRISTIANSON. The dude can catch fish and this is his home water. Last year’s event on Cass Lake was just a warm up. He will be ready to show his stuff this year. Let’s hope the Leech Lake walleyes are ready for Mark. 2) PERRY GOOD. Perry has not skipped a beat since coming back to the FLW Walleye Tour. With this tournament being near his Brainerd home, don’t expect any less. With lots of big-time tournament experience on Leech he will once again be a major contender. I think he is currently third in the Angler of the Year race but he will be leading at tournament’s end. 3) TONY RENNER. Tony stepped aside last year and let our teammate Scott Stiel win last year’s Cass Lake event (after losing in a heated paper, rock, scissors game – best of five). This is Tony’s kind of fishing; he is a rigging master. Tony also has a knack for finding fish off the beaten path. Maybe he will share some of his fishing secrets at the day four weigh-in. 4) PETE HARSH. Pete invented rig fishing didn’t he? Seriously though, Pete pays attention to detail which means he knows when, why and how fish are holding to structure. He also knows how to make them bite day after day, tournament after tournament. Looks like you boys might be fishing for second. 5) RICK FRANKLIN. Rick has been catching quality fish in tournaments all across the country for years. Now he will get to fish close to home on familiar water. Sounds like a recipe for success to me.

Vince Meyer Staff Reporter FLWOutdoors.com Record: 0-2 Points: 986	VS.	Eric Olson FLW Walleye Tour pro Red Wing, Minn. Record: 0-2 Points: 994
1) SCOTT FAIRBAIRN. Following a top-10 finish at Lake Pepin, Fairbairn’s poised for his first FLW Walleye Tour win. He lived near Walker for several years and knows Leech very well. 2) SCOTT STEIL. Steil won last year on Cass Lake and Leech fishes similarly to Cass. Don’t be surprised if he duplicates his winning tactics and picks up his second tour win in as many years. 3) LYNN D JURRENS. Here’s an up-and-comer who’s closing in on his first tour win. Jurrens finished 15th at Lake Pepin and is seventh overall in the Angler of the Year race. He’s out to prove he belongs among the FLW elite. 4) DAN STIER. Stier is off to a slower than normal start, placing 21st at Lake Pepin and 105th at Lake Erie. He’s due for a top 10. He’s proven he can fish Minnesota’s big lakes, having won a PWT event on Lake of the Woods in 2003. 5) GREG CLARK. Here’s my sleeper pick for this tournament. Clark is a veteran pro who’s competed on several of the major walleye circuits, including twice on the FLW. He’s never won, but if he pulls through on Leech remember you heard it here first.		1) PETE HARSH. The key to Pete’s success is that he finds spots others don’t, which means he does not compete for the same fish with everyone else. Also, he’s great with boat control and rigging live bait. 2) SCOTT STEIL. Scotty emerged from Cass lake last year with a nice check, a confidence boost and the respect he deserves. Look for nothing less from him again on Leech. 3) CHRIS GILMAN. Chris is no stranger to Leech, having fished several major tourneys here before. A true technician, Chris has the ability, desire and confidence to get Leech to turn over the best it has to him. 4) MARK CHRISTIANSON. Being a northern Minnesota boy, Marks knows this lake and how the fish relate to the conditions. Live-bait rigging is going to play big and Mark is well aware of the key structure that holds the over fish. 5) DAN STIER. Dan knows live bait. Having watched him pull numerous big weights in live-bait situations, I have a feeling Leech will be no exception. His boat control is tremendous and will play a big part in the outcome. Also having experience on any body of water is key to confidence and Dan’s experience here will give him an edge that many won’t have.

Sharon Reynolds Tournament administrator FLW Outdoors Record: 1-1 Points: 966	VS.	Rick LaCourse FLW Walleye Tour pro Port Clinton, Ohio Record: 2-0 Points: 1241
1) TODD RILEY. Todd has a history of doing well on Leech and nearby Cass. I believe he took seventh last year and I know he is looking for another top-10 finish. Todd may live in Wisconsin, but he rigs just like a northern Minnesota boy. 2) ROSS GROTHE. Ross’s record is very similar to Todd’s. When looking back on his history he has shown that he can fish this lake successfully. It doesn’t hurt that his buddy, Tommy Skarlis, lived in Walker for years. 3) CHRIS GILMAN. Chris is on his way this year. I have picked Chris from day one and he has not let me down. Chris is a very versatile and focused fisherman. He will be one to contend with on this lake. 4) DAN STIER. Dan is a great fisherman and knowing him the way I do he is going to finish this season with a vengeance. He has struggled a little on the first two but now we are on his water. Dan will be in the top 10 without a problem. 5) PETE HARSH. What can I say about Pete that has not already been said? He is like the Energizer bunny. He just keeps going and going and going. Look out gents you’re up against one of the best.		1) PETE HARSH. On Leech, you have to pick the best live bait-riggers in the business. With this in mind, my No. 1 pick is Pete. When it comes to boat control and the art of live bait there is no one better. Besides, with a nickname of Mr. Tiller how can I not pick Pete? 2) MARK CHRISTIANSON. This local guide has fished all the big tournament circuits and won against the best of the best for years. Mark operates Moore’s Resort on Leech and knows the lake like the back of his hand. 3) RICK FRANKLIN. This Bemidji resident can be considered one of the best all-around fishermen on the circuit. When it comes to rigging, his name has to be at the top of the list. 4) DAN STIER. Dan is another angler that sits near the top of the list as one of the best live-bait riggers in the country. This tournament is setting up as a slugfest and the key will be the over fish that come to the scales. Expect to see Dan using large redtails and creek chubs on deep structure. 5) CARL ADAMS JR. Carl finished second last year at the Cass Lake event and this tourney is setting up to be just like that. The spot-tail shiners are getting ready to spawn and the fish will be keying on them. Look for Carl to have the upper hand on these spots.