Fierce competition expected in RCL finals at Lake Winnebago
OSHKOSH, Wis. – Calm winds and warm, sunny skies continued for the fourth consecutive day of nice weather for the finalists today at the third event of the season on the $2.9 million Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit. With 10 pros vying for first place and a total prize worth $90,000, and their co-angler partners taking a crack at the first-place prize of $15,000, the competition will be fierce.
Lund pro Cecil Newman of River Rouge, Mich., is looking for a repeat of yesterday’s success.
“I have had great partners so far and hope that continues,” said Newman. “Yesterday everything went very well. I was done pretty early and ended up having a leisurely day waiting to weigh my fish. Hopefully, today I will get the bigger bites.”
Crestliner pro Rick Olson of Mina Lake, S.D., is quietly confident about his chances to take the top prize.
“I know I didn’t weigh the biggest weight yesterday, but I am confident in the area I am fishing,” said Olson. “Yesterday I was banking on the weatherman being right, but the wind was very calm and I needed a little wind to help my fishing. I struggled in the morning, but figured it out in the afternoon. If I can keep the big fish coming in, I will have a good chance.”
Co-angler finalist Jackie Perry of Milaca, Minn., is on the verge of history today. If Perry wins, she will be the first female angler to win a national walleye tournament. The pressure is on, but Perry remains calm.
“I would really want to win this tournament, but if I don’t I am very happy to have made it to the final round,” said Perry. “I didn’t think we had enough weight yesterday to be here today. I just want to do well and catch a limit today.”
The final weigh-in will start at 4 p.m. at the Oshkosh Wal-Mart located at 2035 S. Koeller St. in Oshkosh, Wis.
Today’s stats
Sunrise: 5:13 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 61
Expected high temperature: 85
Water temperature: mid 60s
Water clarity: varies from stained to muddy
Wind: W 7 mph
Percent relative humidity: 67%
Day’s outlook: Lots of sunshine is expected with high temperatures in the mid 80s. Winds are expected to be from the northwest at 10 to 15 mph.