Pressure mounts, temps drop
Day two commences amid wind, rain
BISMARCK, N.D. – Repeatedly uttered at Wednesday’s weigh-in were the words “brutal” and “tough.” Those were references to the sustained 30-mph winds anglers battled throughout the day. Believe it or not, those conditions are about to get worse. In addition to the wind, the field will deal with colder temps and steady rain on day two of the Walmart FLW Walleye Tour Championship.
While the wind will still be strong, its direction will completely change. Yesterday it blew from the southeast, and today it has switched to the northwest. While this sounds insignificant, it completely changes the flow of the Missouri River. Wednesday the wind fought against the current, while today they 
will work together.
This will change how the walleyes position themselves along the river bed and will likely encourage a more-normal northern migration. In addition, the anglers themselves will notice the change. Although it didn’t feel like it because of the wind, yesterday’s high temperature reached into the mid-60s. Thursday’s forecast is calling for a high of 50.
Tom Keenan is one pro who is greatly looking forward to the switch. After catching only 8 pounds, 6 ounces yesterday, Keenan boldly proclaimed that he wasn’t out of contention.
“If it blows out of the north (Thursday), we will catch the mother lode,” Keenan said. “If I can drive 31 miles tomorrow, I honest to God still think I can win this tournament.”
Keenan got his wish, and now it’s time to deliver.
Logistics
The two-day, opening-round cut will be made following Thursday’s action. The full field competes in the opening round for one of 10 slots in Friday’s competition based on their two-day accumulated weight. Look for the pro cut weight to hover around 25 to 27 pounds.
Weights are cleared for day three, and co-angler competition concludes following Friday’s weigh-in. The top 10 pros continue competition Saturday, with the winner determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from days three and four.
On TV
Coverage of the Walleye Tour Championship, hosted by the Bismarck-Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be broadcast in high definition (HD) on VERSUS, the network which brings anglers the best fishing programming on television featuring the most-trusted authorities on the water. The Emmy-nominated “FLW Outdoors” program will air Nov. 15 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern time.
On the Web
For walleye-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, you can catch all the weigh-in action live at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live. Show time starts at 4:30 p.m. Central today.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:42 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 44 degrees
Expected high temperature: 51 degrees
Water temperature: 52-56 degrees
Wind: NW at 22 mph
Maximum humidity: 84 percent
Day’s outlook: rain