Steve Weisman-GNWC
08-28-2004, 04:33 PM
For Immediate Release
Mellema, Borbic Sieze the Lead on Day I of Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Dale Mellema from Walled Lake, MI and Mike Borbic from Saginaw, MI unraveled the secret of Lake Leelenau walleyes and put themselves in the driver's seat on the first day of the Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing with a six-fish limit weight of 13.75 pounds.
Mellema and Borbic's 3.82-pound walleye also gave them the lead in the battle for the Berkley Big Fish Award.
Sitting in second place with a six-fish limit weight of 9.97 pounds is the team of Cal Stier and Cal Stier II, from Bath, MI, while Craig and Kern Michaels from Farmington Hills, ME hold down third place with 5.34 pounds.
The Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing is the sixth of eight such tournaments on the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) circuit. Even a cold front that rolled in late morning with a temperature drop of close to 15 degrees did not deter the efforts of the top teams.
"The first two teams were able to figure out a pattern that worked and tomorrow will share with the crowd just how they did it. For the most part, though, the rest of the teams are still scrambling to unlock the key," said Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer. "Dale and Mike have opened up almost a four pound lead heading into the final day. However, that can change in a heartbeat if other teams are able to put a consistent pattern together. With $4500 on the line for first place, I know Sunday will be an interesting day."
Saturday's activities continue with a free walleye fishing seminar for the general public at the Gander Mountain Store in Traverse City at 6 p.m. "This will be a great opportunity for people to come out and learn some walleye fishing tips and at the same time to meet many of the GNWC teams," said Barringer.
Sunday's action follows the same format as Saturday with take-off at 7 a.m. and weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the Leelanau East Boat Ramp just off of Bingham road. "We had a great crowd today, and I look for an even larger crowd tomorrow. The second day's weigh-in promises a lot of action. With the tournament ending tomorrow, the teams will share their secrets, so it will be a great opportunity for people to learn more about fishing Lake Leelanau."
Title Sponsor for the GNWC is Gander Mountain. Other major national sponsors include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.
Mellema, Borbic Sieze the Lead on Day I of Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
Dale Mellema from Walled Lake, MI and Mike Borbic from Saginaw, MI unraveled the secret of Lake Leelenau walleyes and put themselves in the driver's seat on the first day of the Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing with a six-fish limit weight of 13.75 pounds.
Mellema and Borbic's 3.82-pound walleye also gave them the lead in the battle for the Berkley Big Fish Award.
Sitting in second place with a six-fish limit weight of 9.97 pounds is the team of Cal Stier and Cal Stier II, from Bath, MI, while Craig and Kern Michaels from Farmington Hills, ME hold down third place with 5.34 pounds.
The Michigan State Championship of Walleye Fishing is the sixth of eight such tournaments on the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) circuit. Even a cold front that rolled in late morning with a temperature drop of close to 15 degrees did not deter the efforts of the top teams.
"The first two teams were able to figure out a pattern that worked and tomorrow will share with the crowd just how they did it. For the most part, though, the rest of the teams are still scrambling to unlock the key," said Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer. "Dale and Mike have opened up almost a four pound lead heading into the final day. However, that can change in a heartbeat if other teams are able to put a consistent pattern together. With $4500 on the line for first place, I know Sunday will be an interesting day."
Saturday's activities continue with a free walleye fishing seminar for the general public at the Gander Mountain Store in Traverse City at 6 p.m. "This will be a great opportunity for people to come out and learn some walleye fishing tips and at the same time to meet many of the GNWC teams," said Barringer.
Sunday's action follows the same format as Saturday with take-off at 7 a.m. and weigh-in at 3 p.m. at the Leelanau East Boat Ramp just off of Bingham road. "We had a great crowd today, and I look for an even larger crowd tomorrow. The second day's weigh-in promises a lot of action. With the tournament ending tomorrow, the teams will share their secrets, so it will be a great opportunity for people to learn more about fishing Lake Leelanau."
Title Sponsor for the GNWC is Gander Mountain. Other major national sponsors include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorthOutdoors.com.