Cass Lake, Minn........With a final-day surge, Dave Anderson, Apple Valley, Minn., brought 17 pounds to the Lund Pro-Am stage on June 4, and claimed the $64,000 first-place prize. He was the best In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) pro angler on Cass Lake this week, and collected $64,500.

He won with 52 pounds, and beat local favorite Mark Christianson, Walker, Minn., by five pounds. Christianson led after two days, and applied 20 years of guiding on the lake to good use. He now fishes the entire tour. The second place prize was his highest finish in three years; he won $20,000.

Third went to Northfield, Minn. pro Ross Grothe. He won $13,000 with 41.63 pounds. Todd Riley, Amery, Wis., won $11,000 for fourth place, and Chuck Emery, Dana Point, Cal., won $10,000 for fifth. The winning amateur, after fishing with three pro anglers was Jim Sacket, Bemidji, Minn., who towed home a 17-foot Lund boat rigged with a Mercury outboard, valued at $17,000.

Anderson said, “I’ve been fishing at least one PWT tournament for 16 years, and winning has always been my goal. This is a dream come true.” When Sam Anderson, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., crossed the stage, he credited father Dave for all those early fishing lessons and taking the time to show him the outdoors. Sam said, “He is still teaching me, and it was great watching him perform on the water this week.” Dave Anderson’s previous high-place finish was eighth. He also won the Gander Mountain Heavyweight award with 21.01 pounds, while fishing with Jeff Baird, Cass Lake. Both won Gander shopping gift cards ($500 and $300).

Big fish of the tournament was weighed by pro Ernie Olson, Foley, Minn., and amateur Larry Eichstadt, Bemidji, Minn., with a 7.39 pound walleye. They split $3,000.
Marty Glorvigen, Grand Rapids, Minn., advanced 83 places to win the Coleman Cool Under Pressure award of $1,000. Amateur Bob Vosika, Lino Lakes, Minn., won $600 on the amateur side.

The PWT 5-fish limit was achieved all three days by only 10 pro anglers. A total of 1,176 walleyes came to the scales, and three-fourths were released, thanks to the assistance of local fisheries biologists and the folks from LeRoy’s Minnows. The non-releasable fish went to the Leech Lake Elderly Nutrition Program.

On the MotorGuide West Division standings, the top two names are almost identical. The Lund Pro-Am winner (Dave Anderson) leads by eight points over Dave Andersen, Amery, Wis. The PWT Angler of the Year top-ranked pro remains Tommy Skarlis, Walker, Minn., with a first place finish in April, a 10th in May and an 11th in June. He has a 24 point lead over Bill St. Peter, Bay City, Mich.

Special PWT Key Awards went to Cass Lake coordinator Dan Evans for his countless hours of behind-the-scenes work. The Stony Point Resort owners and employees also received a Key Award for their exemplary service during the week.

The tour moves south to Bull Shoals Lake which borders Arkansas and Missouri. This will be another test for the anglers. Only a handful had ever fished Cass Lake, and fewer still have fished Bull Shoals. A few amateur openings remain. Entry blanks can be located at the PWT web site, www.professionalwalleyetrial.com.


The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT sponsors include: Mercury Marine, Lund, Berkley Gulp!, The Outdoor Channel, Trilene, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Mr. Clean, PowerBait, Lowrance, MinnKota, Frenzy, Gander Mountain, Blue Fox, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Coleman, Storm, Boat Buckle, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt, Beckman, Rejuvenade, Eagle Trailers, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Drift Control, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net and Cass Lake Chamber of Commerce (800-356-8615), The Palace Casino & Hotel (218-335-7000) and Stony Point Resort (800-332-6311).