GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. – FLW Outdoors announced Tuesday that Mark Dorn, former Professional Walleye Trail tournament director, has joined the organization as director of walleye operations for the $2.9 million Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit.
Named after boat manufacturers Ranger, Crestliner and Lund, the RCL Walleye Circuit is the most lucrative tournament trail in competitive walleye fishing. It was introduced in December 2000 and offers competitors top awards of $50,000 cash plus an Evinrude- or Yamaha-powered walleye boat at each of the circuit’s four qualifying events. The winner of the RCL Walleye Championship receives up to $400,000 cash.
Dorn, who hails from Brainerd, Minn., has been promoting walleye tournaments since 1989 and has been a walleye tournament competitor for 22 years, earning the Masters Walleye Circuit Angler-of-the-Year title in 1984. He has also served as staff writer for In-Fisherman publications since 1986 and co-host of the In-Fisherman television series since 1989.
“Mark is an extremely talented individual with a wealth of experience in promoting walleye tournaments,” said FLW Outdoors president Charlie Hoover. “We are pleased to have him as part of our team. His leadership will be invaluable as our talented and dedicated tournament staff continues to grow the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit.”
RCL tournament director Sonny Reynolds will work with Dorn, who will have overall responsibility for walleye operations.
“Mark is very well respected in the walleye-fishing community, and I look forward to working with him to further enhance the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit,” Reynolds said.
Dorn is proud to be associated with FLW Outdoors.
“This is a company that I’ve watched grow the last several years. It’s an organization that is known for its ground breaking work in tournament fishing,” he said. “I’m excited to be part of such an innovative team.”
The Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit leads the industry in cash payouts to pros and co-anglers. Based on a full field, each qualifying event awards competitors up to $346,000 cash. The winning pro receives $50,000 cash plus a fully rigged walleye boat, and the winning co-angler collects $15,000 cash. Cash awards are presented through 50th place in each division – an industry first. The RCL Walleye Championship features a record $1.4 million purse with up to $400,000 cash going to the winning pro and up to $150,000 cash going to the winning co-angler.
Host sites for the 2002 Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit are the Detroit River near Taylor, Mich., April 3-6; Lake Sharp near Pierre, S.D., May 1-4; Lake Winnebago near Oshkosh, Wis., May 29-June 1; Saginaw Bay near Bay City, Mich., June 26-29; and the Mississippi River near Red Wing, Minn., Oct. 2-5.
Entry fees for each regular-season tournament are $1,250 for pros and $500 for co-anglers. There are still co-angler openings available in each regular season tournament. Click here to find out more and register or call (270) 362-5259 for more information.
Sponsors of the 2002 Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit are Wal-Mart, Castrol, Conseco, Crestliner, Energizer, EverStart Batteries, Evinrude, Faded Glory, Garmin, Kellogg’s, Lund, Minn Kota, Poulan, Ranger Boats, Snickers, Stanley, Weed Eater and Yamaha Outboards. Associate sponsors are Abu Garcia, Berkley, Eagle Claw, Laker, Plano and Solar Bat.