Actis, Stuckert Take Spring Valley Opener
for Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup

By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director

The team of Mike Actis and Mike Stuckert from Spring Valley, IL won the
Illinois Region's first qualifier and a check for $1100 as the Gander
Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) kicked off its 2004 season at
Spring Valley on Saturday, March 20.

The Spring Valley duo totaled a six-fish limit weight of 15.43 pounds.
Actis and Stuckert also captured the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400
in Berkley products with their 3.52-pound sauger.

Second place and a check for $600 went to Brian Ernat from Sectionville,
IL and Jerry Ernat from Princeton, IL with a six-fish limit weight of 13.03
pounds.

Chris Clemmons from Newark, IL and Dale Greif from Naperville, IL won
$480 for their third place weight of 12.66 pounds.

Special awards include the following. The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo
Net folding net valued at $80 was awarded to the three teams that placed out
of the money. Those teams include Dean Wilkins and Thomas Wagner, seventh
place; Scott Roehlk and Jim Bonjour, eighth place; Jim Wahl and Ron Mason,
ninth place.

The Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander
Mountain Shopping Spree went to Jereme Watkins and Dustin Watkins.
Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer was pleased
with the Spring Valley opener. "We had a third of the teams catch six-fish
limits and the number of teams is up significantly from a year ago. There is
a lot of enthusiasm being shown, and I look for a good year here in
Illinois."

Fishing conditions were good for most of the day with little wind and
midday temperatures pushing into the 60s. However, that changed by early
afternoon. "We really had a pretty good day going until about one o'clock,"
noted Barringer. "Then the winds switched to the northwest and by
mid-afternoon there were gusts approaching 35 mph. Still, water levels had
dropped into the normal range this past week, so the bite was good. This is
definitely one of the best sauger fisheries in the country."

Fishing presentations were varied with Actis and Stuckert vertical
jigging in the current areas to catch their fish. They were also able to
sort through several fish to get their winning weight.

Meanwhile, the Ernat team caught their fish jigging along the clam beds,
while Clemmons and Greif used 3-way rigs and minnows to catch their six-fish
limit.

The Illinois teams now take a six-week break until Sunday, May 2 when
they head to Lake Shelbyville.

Anglers interested in signing up for a future qualifier or simply
wanting more information on the GNWC circuit can call 1-800-890-FISH (3474),
or they can email the GNWC at info@walleyecup.com.

Title Sponsor for the GNWC is Gander Mountain with other major national
sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel,
Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and
UpNorth Outdoors.com.