Upset special
Kjelden comes out of nowhere to win FLW Walleye Tour Open on Devils Lake; Nick Johnson crowned Angler of the Year
SPIRIT LAKE, N.D. – Leave it to Brookings, S.D., native Dustin Kjelden to be the only angler comfortable fishing in 30 mph winds. While the rest of the field was grounded by the blustery weather, Kjelden thrived on day four with a five-walleye limit of 25 pounds, 4 ounces, moving up from seventh to the top spot in the process. Kjelden took home $100,000 for the victory, his first on the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour.
Kjelden said he felt confident coming into the final day knowing the intense wind would make it tough on his competitors, especially those using slip-bobbers.
“I’m used to these high winds,” he chuckled. “It’s been a great year. Everything came with confidence.”
Kjelden said he felt the secret to his success was not becoming too dependent on one particular pattern.
“Spots on this lake can kill you,” said Kjelden. “These fish are all over. I was hitting about 10 spots a day, moving around looking for active fish.”
He and his partner, Thomas Grzadzieleski, cast No.5 Shad Raps in shallow water to attract their fish.
“Boat control had a lot to do with our success,” Kjelden said. “We had four big fish in the boat by 7:40 a.m.”
Kjelden’s four-day total weighed 86 pounds, 12 ounces. He lightheartedly said he planned to purchase plenty of extra crankbaits with his prize money.
Goligowski finishes in second
Kevin Goligowski knew things were going to be difficult as he drove to the day-four takeoff and saw his spot inundated with giant waves. The Maplewood, Minn., resident was still able to catch a solid 14-pound, 15-ounce limit.
“Considering what I had to contend with, I’m pretty happy with my performance,” he said. “My main spot muddied up, so I was forced to fish the clean areas. It just wasn’t fishable. I’m just happy to be on stage for a change. I’m getting better as I fish.”
Goligowski totaled 82 pounds, 11 ounces over the four days of competition and earned a check for $25,000.
Olson grabs third
Rick Olson of Mina, S.D., moved up from fourth to third place with a weight of 17 pounds, 5 ounces and posted a four-day total of 81 pounds, 9 ounces.
“We battled it for about three hours,” said Olson, who fished an open-water spot in East Bay. “The last three days I was waiting for the weigh-in at noon. Today we moved and cast crankbaits. What a fantastic lake this is.”
Olson’s third-place finish earned him $17,500.
Courts falls to fourth
Finishing in fourth place was Harris, Minn., native Mark Courts. Courts caught five small walleyes Saturday, bringing his four-day total to 79 pounds, 8 ounces.
“The reason I am consistent here is because I am patient,” said Courts. “We were bobber-fishing and pitching Weed-Weasels, which allows me throw into the thickest trees. Today, you couldn’t stick with your jigs or feel your bites.”
Courts’ patience earned him $14,000.
Fairbairn fifth
Scott Fairbairn earned $10,700 and finished in fifth place with a four-day total weight of 73 pounds, 9 ounces. On Saturday, Fairbairn caught three plump walleyes that weighed 14 pounds, 8 ounces.
Rest of the best
Rounding out the top 10 pro finalists at the FLW Walleye Tour Open on Devils Lake:
6th: Joe McCartin of Land O Lakes, Wis., 71-9
7th: Tim Flynn of Tea, S.D., 69-14
8th: William Drake of Horace, N.D., 69-12
9th: Don Denning of Fargo, N.D., 68-2
10th: John Kolinski of Greenville, Wis., 67-14
In other tournament news, Nick Johnson won the 2005 FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year award. Johnson entered the tournament second in the points race, 14 behind Tommy Skarlis. Skarlis finished the Devils Lake event in 42nd place while Johnson placed 20th.
“We fished near each other yesterday, so our necks were getting sore looking over to see who had more weight,” said Johnson.
FLW Walleye Tour competition resumes Sept. 28-Oct. 1 for the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour Championship on the Mississippi River in Moline, Ill.