Wicked winds forecasted
Pro finalists gear up for last chance to catch Vande Mark
ESCANABA, Mich. – The final day of Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour competition on Bays de Noc may prove to be the most difficult. Both showers and strong winds are in the forecast. That’s nothing new, but this time it could be worse.
The conditions at takeoff were pleasant, complete with just a slight breeze. But forecasts predict WNW winds of up to 25 mph within the hour. That could wreak havoc on the pros that are running 75 miles each way.
The consensus among the field is that with a 7-pound lead, the tournament is pro Steve Vande Mark’s to lose. But walleye fans likely remember last year on Green Bay, when Wayne Butz came back from a 13-pound deficit to upset Ted Takasaki.
Likewise, the Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year is Jason Przekurat’s to lose. Pro Chris Gilman finished the tournament in 13th place, but he had a 4-point lead coming into the final qualifier of the year. Przekurat made the cutoff, meaning he can finish no worse than 10th. If he finishes in ninth place, he and Gilman will tie. If he finishes in eighth or better, he will become the first walleye fisherman to twice win AOY.
Considering he has more than a 10-pound lead over Chevy pro Tom Keenan, the current eighth-place pro, it looks all but over for Gilman. For Przekurat to lose his grasp on the title he would have to zero and everyone else in the field would have to catch big sacks.
The 2007 season has been a truly memorable year in terms of individual performances. It’s hard to even fathom that Gilman finished fourth, third, 12th and 13th in the four qualifiers yet likely will not win AOY. Another angler who has had a remarkable season is Amery, Wis., pro Todd Riley. Riley really hasn’t had a bad day all year, let alone a bad tournament.
His only misstep was a boat/engine malfunction on day one of the Red Wing event. Riley was in the last flight and was coming back from Lake Pepin with a livewell full of 3-pound saugers.
“We were just the last dog on the pond,” said the veteran pro. “We should have had plenty of time to get in, but no one came past us.”
Riley estimates that unfortunate incident cost him 65 points and a minimum of $10,000.
“The way I look at it is if you don’t have any stories to tell, you haven’t been doing this very long. Its unfortunate that one day can have such a drastic effect on an entire season.”
Don’t feel too bad for Riley. He’s currently in seventh place and will likely finish the season third in the points race, meaning he will easily qualify for the no-entry-fee 2007 FLW Walleye Tour Championship.
The final weigh-in, which is free and open to the public, will take place today at 4 p.m. Eastern time at the Wal-Mart store located at 601 North Lincoln Road in Escanaba. The winners on both the pro and co-angler sides are determined by the largest total weight spanning all four days of competition.
Saturday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:12 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 59 degrees
Expected high temperature: 69 degrees
Water temperature: 55-65 degrees
Wind: WNW at 18 mph
Maximum humidity: 72 percent
Day’s outlook: showers early turning partly cloudy