D-Day at Devils Lake

Meleen, Harsh look to secure first Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour victory

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – With the prairie winds still howling, the top 10 pro and top 10 co-angler finalists took off Saturday morning for one last day of competition. But just as the waves on Devils Lake continue to rock `n’ roll, so does the walleye fishing.

After yesterday’s cancellation, Paul Meleen still owns a 1-pound lead in the Pro Division. Trailing him is Pete Harsh, who sacked 29-5 on day one. After Harsh, the Sauk Centre, Minn., native, the weights drop off considerably.

Both Meleen and Harsh are veteran tournament anglers yet neither has earned that ever-elusive tour-level victory. While it looks to be a two-man race, don’t count out the remaining eight pros. Last year’s event also looked like a two-man contest between Kevin Goligowski and Mark Courts. Ultimately, Brookings, S.D., native Dustin Kjelden came all the way from 7th place to earn the $100,000 win.

One thing that shouldn’t be a problem today is crowding. Combine the blustery weather with the field being trimmed by 140 boats and the finalists should have their honey holes all to themselves. In addition, many of the better fishing areas may have replenished with one less day of angling pressure.

Sitting in fifth place is 2003 Angler of the Year Jason Przekurat. Today the Stevens Point, Wis., pro plans to pitch crankbaits early in the day and switch up to slip-corks in the early afternoon.

“With this wind, it all depends on where you are,” said Przekurat. “There are places you can get out of the wind and catch fish with bobbers.”

Despite a two-day total weight of 40 pounds, 10 ounces, Przekurat trails the leader by nearly 6 pounds.

“I’m going to need 25 pounds today to win. I need at least one 7-pounder.”

The final weigh-in will take place today at 4 p.m. Central time at the Wal-Mart store located at 210 Highway 2 W. in Devils Lake. The community is invited to attend the weigh-in, which is free and open to the public. The winner in both the Pro Division and Co-angler Division is determined by the heaviest three-day weight.

Saturday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 5:36 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 50 degrees

Expected high temperature: 59 degrees

Water temperature: 60-66 degrees

Wind: ESE at 17 mph

Maximum humidity: 59 percent

Day’s outlook: few showers