Ryan continues Mississippi River domination
Lake View, Iowa, native nails 26-13, attains mind-boggling 14-pound lead in Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour event
RED WING, Minn. – The state of Minnesota lived up to its billing Thursday as the top walleye destination in the United States. After a solid catch on day one, the Mississippi River caught fire on day two, churning out over 1,200 pounds of walleyes and saugers. Nearly 27 pounds of that total came from pro Jeff Ryan, who tied two spectacular days together and earned an unthinkable 14-pound lead.
While 26 pounds, 13 ounces looks great on paper, Ryan said his day wasn’t easy by any means.
“It feels great, but I wish today was day four,” Ryan gasped. “The plan has been working real well, but that’s all we had was those five bites.”
Ryan said he and his partner, Jerry Cassell, actually caught six fish total Thursday, but one was short of the 15-inch minimum length limit. The Lake View, Iowa, pro continues to meticulously pound his area with a slow, live-bait presentation. After another staggering limit, his two-day total stands at 53 pounds, 2 ounces.
“I did make a couple of changes that I’ll definitely start with tomorrow. Little changes are making a difference. I caught two or three fish on a different bait today. We’re losing a lot of tackle. The area has lots of stumps and trees, but they’re keying on that stuff.”
With the exception of one fish yesterday, Ryan and his co-angler partners have landed every fish they’ve hooked.
“Quite a few guys left me alone, and that was awesome. I give a lot of credit to the guys that stayed out. I just hope I can continue what I’m doing. It would definitely help to have another 25 pounds tomorrow.”
McQuoid moves up to second
Kevin McQuoid made a bold prediction at takeoff this morning that he could duplicate his successful catch from day one. The Isle, Minn., pro was true to his word and then some, bringing 23 pounds, 6 ounces to the scale.
“The plan worked; I made one long pass and landed two of the big fish right away,” McQuoid said. “That took a lot of the pressure off, and we had our limit by 1 p.m.”
Just as he stated this morning, McQuoid is trolling crankbaits along a rocky shoreline in 6 to 12 feet of water. He caught his fish in Pool 3, with the exception of his fifth keeper, which was boated just two miles from the launch in Pool 4.
“I was very pleased. I didn’t have hardly anybody move in on me. I only fished a half a day up at my top spot. This is a cumulative tournament, so you’ve got to get as much as you can. I don’t have to do a lot, but I do have to put a couple in the box. I didn’t come here to cash a check, so I’m going to go for it.”
Field beware, river rat Johnson on the prowl
2005 FLW Walleye Tour Angler of the Year Nick Johnson is heating up. After catching 14 pounds, 6 ounces on day one, Johnson caught a five-fish limit on day two that weighed 22 pounds, 1 ounce.
“This river has been really good to me,” said Johnson, making the understatement of the year.
The Elmwood, Wis., pro grew up fishing this body of water and won the 2004 FLW Walleye Tour Championship just down the river near Moline, Ill.
“Today it started out really slow. I was running around, and I was almost in panic mode. I came back to my primary spot at about noon, and nobody was there besides the walleyes.”
Johnson reportedly is catching his fish on a variety of presentations in Pool 4. His arsenal thus far has included live-bait rigs, trolling crankbaits and casting jigs.
“My goal today was to get a limit. I was fortunate to get the big fish. This river can be so rude to you, you just never know. I’ve still got to execute tomorrow and Saturday if I make the cut.”
Allar up to fourth
Rising to fourth place was Welch, Minn., native Scott Allar. After bringing in 16 pounds, 1 ounce on day one, Allar was able to catch five walleyes that weighed 19 pounds, 15 ounces on day two, giving him a combined weight of 36 pounds even.
Allar boated two kicker walleyes that weighed approximately 7 pounds each by trolling crankbaits in Pool 3.
“Being a local, I kind of know where the big fish typically are this time of year,” Allar said. “This is prime time here when the big females are recuperating from their spawn.”
Riley fifth
In fifth place was Todd Riley of Amery, Wis., who brought in five walleyes Thursday that weighed 21 pounds, 5 ounces. Pulling live bait and trolling leadcore, three of Riley’s five fish were heavy saugers.
“I’m incredibly happy,” said Riley, who is fishing Lake Pepin. “We actually came in early today because I didn’t think we could improve our weight. I didn’t want to risk beating them up. I’m hoping I don’t regret it.”
Rest of the best
Rounding out the top 10 pros on day two at the Mississippi River:
6th: Steve Vande Mark of Linwood, Mich., 32-11
7th: Victor Stolcers of Round Lake Beach, Ill., 32-5
8th: Gordy Powers of Rockford, Minn., 27-13
9th: Dennis Lantzy of Warren, Mich., 27-8
10th: Mitchell Jerowski of Winona, Minn., 27-6
Szczech clings to first
In the Co-angler Division, Kristine Szczech of St. Paul, Minn., retained her lead with three walleyes weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Her two-day total of eight walleyes, weighing 34 pounds, 10 ounces, gives her an 8-ounce cushion heading into the third day of competition. Szczech fished with Ryan on day one and was paired with Rod Putnam of Billings, Mont., on day two.
Szczech and Putnam fished in Pool 4 on day two with both crankbaits and live bait. The largest of their three fish weighed about 5 pounds and was landed by Szczech at around 10 a.m.
“We caught four, but one was foul-hooked, so we threw it back,” Szczech said. “We stuck with it; it was all about teamwork. I am very excited; I’ll be on it tomorrow.”
Coming in second for the co-anglers was Jerry Cassell of Lawton, Mich. Cassell partnered with the red-hot Ryan on day two and caught five walleyes that weighed 26 pounds, 13 ounces to push his two-day total to 34 pounds, 2 ounces.
“Jeff was absolutely fantastic; the guy is the total package,” he said, “not only a great fisherman, but a great guy.”
Cassell caught the last of their keepers and was delighted to have contributed to the team’s tournament creel.
“Jeff was willing to stay over a spot that was hard to fish. He was willing to get into the junk and dig them out. A lot of other guys would have moved, but he stuck with it.”
Co-angler Gary Engberg of Mazomanie, Wis., caught five walleyes that weighed 10 pounds, 12 ounces and fell one spot to third place with a two-day combined weight of 34 pounds, 2 ounces.
Kevin Bruer of Robbinsdale, Minn., claimed the fourth spot for the co-anglers with a two-day combined weight of 33 pounds, 5 ounces.
Fifth place went to Dean Kaminski of Columbia Heights, Minn., for 33 pounds, 2 ounces.
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers on day two at the Mississippi River:
6th: Dave Dugall of Highland, Mich., 32-10
7th: James Furutani of Winnipeg, Manitoba, 31-10
8th: Jeff Sather of Montevideo, Minn., 30-1
9th: Sandra Don of Shoreview, Minn., 29-1
10th: Jeff Burns of Wabasha, Minn., 28-2
Day three of FLW Walleye Tour competition on the Mississippi River begins as the field of 150 boats takes off from Colvill Park at 7 a.m. Central time Friday for the final day of the opening round.