Walleye Tour action continues
Field to be trimmed to top 10 at conclusion of Friday’s weigh-in
WELCH, Minn. – Demonstrating consistency in tournament fishing is always difficult. There are many variables to navigate including seasonal migration, current, water temperature and structure. But being consistent on a dynamic river fishery like the Mississippi can be a near-impossible task.
On the river, conditions change from hour to hour as opposed from day to day. During this event, the water level continues to drop. If it continues to fall at a fast rate, it’s feasible that some anglers won’t be able to reach some of their backwater honeyholes. In addition, the skies have changed from clear to overcast and showers are possible early in the afternoon. How will this affect the bite? That remains to be seen.
The one consensus among the anglers is that weights are expected to drop significantly today. The day-one leaderboard was top heavy, and most of those pros didn’t expect to catch what they did nor do they expect to duplicate that success today. Look for the pro cut weight to hover around 26 pounds – roughly a 13-pound average.
Logistics
Anglers will take off from Treasure Island Resort Marina located at 5636 Sturgeon Lake Rd. in Welch at 7 each morning. Friday’s weigh-in will also be held at the marina beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Treasure Island Casino parking lot located at 5734 Sturgeon Lake Rd. in Welch beginning at 4 p.m. The community is invited to attend daily takeoffs and weigh-ins, which are free and open to the public.
Pros and co-anglers are randomly paired each day and fish for a combined boat weight. Pros compete against other pros, and co-anglers compete against other co-anglers. The full field competes during the two-day opening round for one of 10 final-round slots based on their accumulated weight. Weights carry over to day three, with the winners determined by the heaviest three-day weight.
In FLW Walleye Tour competition, anglers are also vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2010 FLW Walleye Tour Championship held on Leech Lake in Walker, Minn., Sept. 23-25.
On the Web
For those who can’t catch the weigh-in action in person, FLWOutdoors.com offers FLW Live, an online application that brings fans real-time weigh-in results.
Friday’s conditions
Sunrise: 5:37 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 57 degrees
Expected high temperature: 70 degrees
Water temperature: 64-67 degrees
Wind: ESE at 8 mph
Maximum humidity: 33 percent
Day’s outlook: cloudy with showers possible