Steve Weisman-I.O.W.A.
05-14-2007, 07:58 AM
I.O.W.A. teams Prepare for Clear Lake
By Steve Weisman
I.O.W.A. Publicity Director
Following a bout with severe storms that caused the Lake Rathbun Tournament to be cancelled, the teams competing on the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail are anxiously awaiting the next qualifier scheduled for the FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance Clear Lake Tournament on Sunday, May 27.
In addition to the usual winner’s purse, FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance of Forest City is offering the winning team an additional $1000 bonus. Dean Higgins, I.O.W.A. Tournament Director explained, “FCIS ‘Anglers Choice’ Insurance is the corporate sponsor for the Clear Lake Tournament. The $1000 bonus adds even more excitement for this tournament. I think I speak for all of the I.O.W.A. teams in offering a big thank you to FCIS ‘Anglers Choice’ Insurance. They have made a commitment to our circuit, and we certainly appreciate it.”
In addition, the agency is providing $5 toward the Conservation Fund for each I.O.W.A. member that gives FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance the opportunity to give them a quote on their boat insurance. "We’ve had a lot of teams take advantage of this offer. Many have added the insurance because of the coverage and rate savings. The additional money going to the Conservation Fund will increase the impact we can have on improving some of the fisheries that we fish," said Higgins.
Another special award at this tournament will be the “Berkley Artificial Challenge.” The highest placing team that used Berkley artificial bait at the FCIS “Angler’s Choice” Clear Lake Tournament will win a $100 shopping spree at The Crazy Minnow, host baitshop for the tournament.
“After the disappointment at Lake Rathbun, I know the teams are really looking forward to Clear Lake. We always have a good tournament here,” noted Higgins. “It’s a great place to hold tournaments, the walleye population is in excellent shape and the community is always enthusiastic when we come here. Last year we were at Clear Lake 10 days earlier than this year. We had 17 teams bring in five-fish limits, and the big fish was an 8.05 pounder.”
Higgins mentioned the leaders for some of the post-season honors. Based on their efforts in the first two tournaments, the team of Mike and Dog Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA hold the lead for the 2007 Humminbird Team of the Year prize of two Humminbird 797c2SI Combo fishing units. To be eligible for this award, teams must compete in three of the four tournaments.
A second honor is the Mercury Heavy Weight Award for the highest total weight at the end of the four qualifiers. This team will win a Mercury 9.9 Pro Kicker, and with 12.15 pounds in the first two tournaments, the team of David Smithburg from Libertyville and Greg Lowenberg from Fairfield hold a slim lead over the team of Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa with 12.04 pounds.
The MinnKota Family Team of the Year goes to the highest placing family team. Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA are in the lead for the two MinnKota Vantage 80 transom mount trolling motors.
A voluntary rules meeting and question and answer session will be held on Saturday evening from 6-7 p.m. at Retlaws Restaurant and Bar in Clear Lake. “These pre-tournament meetings have proven to be very productive. We can answer a lot of questions, go over all the rules and also the way we want to run our take-off and weigh-in procedures. It also gives the teams the chance to visit and for new teams to become acquainted with some of our veteran teams,” added Higgins.
To add to the Saturday evening fun, a calcutta will held at after the rules meeting at Retlaws. “The public is invited to this. I think it will be a lot of fun, as we will auction off all of the teams competing on Sunday.”
Take-off is at 7 a.m. at the Clear Lake City Park and Bandshell, with the weigh-in at 3 p.m. the Clear Lake City Park. “This is a great place for people to come and witness the weigh-in. It seems there are always surprises and new little twists on ways teams caught their fish,” said Higgins. “I hope we can get a great crowd to come out and see what the I.O.W.A. teams can bring to the scales.”
All of the latest news on the I.O.W.A. circuit can be found at the I.O.W.A. website (www.walleyepromotions.com). Openings still exist for the Clear Lake qualifier. Anglers interested in learning more about the I.O.W.A circuit can call (515) 571-1085 or they can email the I.O.W.A. staff at walleyepromotions@hotmail.com.
Corporate sponsors for the 2007 I.O.W.A Team Walleye Tournament Trail include Lund, Mercury Outboards, ShoreLand'r Trailers, Algona Marine and Sport, MinnKota, Humminbird, Berkley, Cabela's, Mack's Lure, Smooth Move Seat Mounts, StowMaster, Hooters and FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance of Forest City.
By Steve Weisman
I.O.W.A. Publicity Director
Following a bout with severe storms that caused the Lake Rathbun Tournament to be cancelled, the teams competing on the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail are anxiously awaiting the next qualifier scheduled for the FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance Clear Lake Tournament on Sunday, May 27.
In addition to the usual winner’s purse, FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance of Forest City is offering the winning team an additional $1000 bonus. Dean Higgins, I.O.W.A. Tournament Director explained, “FCIS ‘Anglers Choice’ Insurance is the corporate sponsor for the Clear Lake Tournament. The $1000 bonus adds even more excitement for this tournament. I think I speak for all of the I.O.W.A. teams in offering a big thank you to FCIS ‘Anglers Choice’ Insurance. They have made a commitment to our circuit, and we certainly appreciate it.”
In addition, the agency is providing $5 toward the Conservation Fund for each I.O.W.A. member that gives FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance the opportunity to give them a quote on their boat insurance. "We’ve had a lot of teams take advantage of this offer. Many have added the insurance because of the coverage and rate savings. The additional money going to the Conservation Fund will increase the impact we can have on improving some of the fisheries that we fish," said Higgins.
Another special award at this tournament will be the “Berkley Artificial Challenge.” The highest placing team that used Berkley artificial bait at the FCIS “Angler’s Choice” Clear Lake Tournament will win a $100 shopping spree at The Crazy Minnow, host baitshop for the tournament.
“After the disappointment at Lake Rathbun, I know the teams are really looking forward to Clear Lake. We always have a good tournament here,” noted Higgins. “It’s a great place to hold tournaments, the walleye population is in excellent shape and the community is always enthusiastic when we come here. Last year we were at Clear Lake 10 days earlier than this year. We had 17 teams bring in five-fish limits, and the big fish was an 8.05 pounder.”
Higgins mentioned the leaders for some of the post-season honors. Based on their efforts in the first two tournaments, the team of Mike and Dog Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA hold the lead for the 2007 Humminbird Team of the Year prize of two Humminbird 797c2SI Combo fishing units. To be eligible for this award, teams must compete in three of the four tournaments.
A second honor is the Mercury Heavy Weight Award for the highest total weight at the end of the four qualifiers. This team will win a Mercury 9.9 Pro Kicker, and with 12.15 pounds in the first two tournaments, the team of David Smithburg from Libertyville and Greg Lowenberg from Fairfield hold a slim lead over the team of Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa with 12.04 pounds.
The MinnKota Family Team of the Year goes to the highest placing family team. Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA are in the lead for the two MinnKota Vantage 80 transom mount trolling motors.
A voluntary rules meeting and question and answer session will be held on Saturday evening from 6-7 p.m. at Retlaws Restaurant and Bar in Clear Lake. “These pre-tournament meetings have proven to be very productive. We can answer a lot of questions, go over all the rules and also the way we want to run our take-off and weigh-in procedures. It also gives the teams the chance to visit and for new teams to become acquainted with some of our veteran teams,” added Higgins.
To add to the Saturday evening fun, a calcutta will held at after the rules meeting at Retlaws. “The public is invited to this. I think it will be a lot of fun, as we will auction off all of the teams competing on Sunday.”
Take-off is at 7 a.m. at the Clear Lake City Park and Bandshell, with the weigh-in at 3 p.m. the Clear Lake City Park. “This is a great place for people to come and witness the weigh-in. It seems there are always surprises and new little twists on ways teams caught their fish,” said Higgins. “I hope we can get a great crowd to come out and see what the I.O.W.A. teams can bring to the scales.”
All of the latest news on the I.O.W.A. circuit can be found at the I.O.W.A. website (www.walleyepromotions.com). Openings still exist for the Clear Lake qualifier. Anglers interested in learning more about the I.O.W.A circuit can call (515) 571-1085 or they can email the I.O.W.A. staff at walleyepromotions@hotmail.com.
Corporate sponsors for the 2007 I.O.W.A Team Walleye Tournament Trail include Lund, Mercury Outboards, ShoreLand'r Trailers, Algona Marine and Sport, MinnKota, Humminbird, Berkley, Cabela's, Mack's Lure, Smooth Move Seat Mounts, StowMaster, Hooters and FCIS “Anglers Choice” Insurance of Forest City.