New Record Weight for Texas Walleye Association Tourney

The third stop on the Texas Walleye Association Tournament Trail returned to the friendly home waters of Lake Meredith on Saturday, May 19. The father and son team of Hank and Hunter McWilliams of Fritch established a new TWA one day tournament record with a 5 fish limit weighing a whopping 19.29 lbs to win $540. They also took the big fish pot of $140 with a nice 6.61 lb walleye. Thus far, all three TWA tournaments have resulted in a different winning team.

All of the top five teams brought in impressive double digit weights. Kevin and Kalin Audrain of Fritch took 2nd and $350 with 15.20 lbs. Ed Rodriguez of Fritch and David McWilliams of Borger grabbed 3rd and $240 with 12.47 lbs. Dan Turner of Dumas and David Turner of Bristow, Ok came in 4th with 12.07 lbs. 5th place went to Robert and Gary Reining of Panhandle with 11.42 lbs.

The rest of the top ten were: 6th John and Peyton McWilliams of Borger with 9.84 lbs; 7th Jim Welch of Fritch and James Welch of Albuquerque, Nm with 9.59 lbs; 8th Jeff Cooper of Amarillo and Ron Alexander of Plains, Ks with 9.27 lbs: 9th David Wilkinson of Fritch and Russell Wilkinson of Amarillo with 8.66 lbs; and Donnie Bell and Arvin Cowan of Fritch with 6.50 lbs.

All of the fish were released back into the lake. The TWA is very concerned with establishing and maintaining a trophy fishery in Meredith. The Association advocates the release of all fish over 20 inches and keeping only a few of the smaller fish for the skillet. By far, the 16- 19 inch fish are the best for eating, and they contain far less mercury than the bigger fish!  Meredith does not have an inexhaustible source of fish with the current low water conditions and the resulting poor spawns.

The last tournament before the TWA Championship at Meredith will be the Canton Lake, Oklahoma Tournament on June 2. For more information on the TWA contact either: Donnie Bell at 857- 2250 fishinbell123@yahoo.com or Dan Turner at 935-3176 dnturner@valornet.com.

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