Fish for four
Without co-anglers, rules change on final day
PIERRE, S.D. – While the bite has been fairly tough on Lake Oahe so far, don’t be surprised if even fewer fish are brought to the scale Saturday. That’s not a testament to either the skill level of the anglers or the health of the fishery. On day four of the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour Championship, the 10 pros will only be allowed to keep four fish.
Per South Dakota rules, among those four can only be one walleye that is longer than 20 inches. Furthermore, culling is not allowed and anglers are only allowed to have two lines in the water. Think they’re missing their co-anglers now?
Pro leader Richard Nascak caught a 17-pound, 6-ounce limit before noon yesterday and even he thinks the fishing is getting tougher.
“Every morning I would get one or two on my first pass,” said the Winona, Minn., pro. “Yesterday, I had nothing on my first three passes.”
The majority of the pros seem more concerned with having only two lines than with only being able to keep four walleyes.
“If I got 9 or 10 pounds today, I’d be doing jumping jacks and cartwheels in the boat,” added Nascak.
Fourth-place pro Tom Brunz popped an 11-pound walleye during practice so he knows firsthand that much needed kicker is out there.
“The bigger fish are coming on the Reef Runners,” said the Madison Lake, Minn., angler. “There is a definite correlation. It’s something we’ve documented during practice. The big thing today is not being able to have those other two lines in the water.”
Near-record high temperatures are also in the forecast for the Pierre area. The official record of 93 degrees was set back in 1920. Today’s high is expected to reach 91 degrees with a blustery southwest wind of up to 30 mph.
The final weigh-in will take place today at 4:30 p.m. Central time at the Wal-Mart store located at 1730 North Garfield Road in Pierre. The pros are fishing for up to $150,000 for first place.
For walleye-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, FLWOutdoors.com will offer live weigh-in results, streaming audio and on-location video via FLW Live. Show time starts at 4:30 p.m.
The FLW Walleye Tour Family Fun Zone featuring interactive games, product samples and activities for the entire family opens in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 1 p.m. Fans visiting the Family Fun Zone can register for the chance to win an 1850 Ranger Reata powered by a 175 horsepower Evinrude E-Tec outboard. One lucky fan will be drawn during the final weigh-in and given the chance to cast a lure at an 8-inch target. If the lure lands in the target, the fan wins. Participants must be present during the 
weigh-in to qualify. All activities are free and open to the public.
Saturday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 7:47 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 63 degrees
Expected high temperature: 91 degrees
Water temperature: 60-66 degrees
Wind: SSW at 23 mph
Maximum humidity: 44 percent
Day’s outlook: partly cloudy and windy