Unbelievable!

[www]

Sunday, June 27, 2004
Afriendly little Lake Erie walleye tournament turned ugly in Grand River.
The North Coast Charter Boat Association held its annual walleye and steelhead tournament on June 12. It wasn't a major event with only 13 teams trolling for a couple of thousand dollars in prize money and bragging rights.
But the field was a dandy, composed of local fishing guides and tournament veterans. Anglers very good at figuring out what makes a walleye or steelhead trout bite on any given day.
Most of the teams were local four-man squads on charter boats that dock on the Grand River.
The team with the heaviest limit of walleyes was not a local team but was a familiar group: Bob Kresse of Chagrin Falls; Dave Frey of Avon Lake, Don Nagel of Avon and Tom Puskarich of Elyria. They have competed in many tournaments over the years and are always considered a team to beat.
When they checked their catch at Pickle Bill's Restaurant on the Grand River there was grumbling by other teams, said tournament director Tim Garrett, who operates Aqua Fantasea Charters and competed in the event. The walleyes, said Garrett, looked "old."
"There was a protest," said Garrett. "Their fish were disqualified."
Team captain Kresse was stunned by the decision.
"We've fished a lot of tournaments and have never been accused of cheating," said Kresse. "This was a small tournament, a fun event. There wasn't very much at stake here."
Garrett said the walleyes appeared to have been caught before the tournament began. He said they were milky grey in color and looked like they'd been frozen and thawed.
Kresse disagreed.
"We keep our walleyes in ice water." he said. "We always have. The biggest walleye, which weighed a little more than 11 pounds, was the first fish we caught just after the start at 6:30 a.m."
The tournament rules called for a Torry Meter to be used to determine if a walleye was caught before the tournament began, but the device was not available at the weigh-in. In many walleye tournaments the fish are not put in live wells, as is done in most largemouth and smallmouth bass tournaments. The large charter boats seldom have live wells and fishermen store their walleyes on ice in coolers.
The rules stipulated that in the event of a protest by another team a polygraph test would be used to settle the protest.
The NCCBA tournament results were changed and the victory awarded to LA Charters, skippered by Tim Garrett's brother, Jim Garrett. Jim Schonauer and his Schoney Charters team moved up to second, followed by Marv DeGreen's Evil Eye Charters. All three charter boats dock at Grand River Marina.
To officially settle the issue Tim Garrett arranged for Don Nagel of Kresse's team to take a polygraph test at Security Polygraph Consultants Inc. in Bedford Heights. Garrett said he received a report that Nagel's answers "were deceitful," and is waiting for the official results of the test before making the revised results official.
That wasn't good enough for Kresse and his team. Being labelled as cheaters would prevent them from competing in fishing tournaments. They thrive on Lake Erie walleye tournaments and Frey, rated one of the best walleye anglers in the country, competes on the prestigious In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail.
The trophies have yet to be awarded and the purse distributed. When that is done, it won't put a lid on this year's NCCBA tournament. Attorney Dan Haude of the Reminger and Reminger law firm in Cleveland is now representing Kresse and his squad.
"I believe in these fishermen and I don't think a polygraph test is conclusive," he said.
"It's certainly not the first-place money these men are after," said Haude. "It would only amount to $400 or $500 for each man, certainly not enough to make a difference. Their reputations have been trashed by tournament officials and we're ready to fight that in court."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136

[www]

Sunday, June 27, 2004
Afriendly little Lake Erie walleye tournament turned ugly in Grand River.
The North Coast Charter Boat Association held its annual walleye and steelhead tournament on June 12. It wasn't a major event with only 13 teams trolling for a couple of thousand dollars in prize money and bragging rights.
But the field was a dandy, composed of local fishing guides and tournament veterans. Anglers very good at figuring out what makes a walleye or steelhead trout bite on any given day.
Most of the teams were local four-man squads on charter boats that dock on the Grand River.
The team with the heaviest limit of walleyes was not a local team but was a familiar group: Bob Kresse of Chagrin Falls; Dave Frey of Avon Lake, Don Nagel of Avon and Tom Puskarich of Elyria. They have competed in many tournaments over the years and are always considered a team to beat.
When they checked their catch at Pickle Bill's Restaurant on the Grand River there was grumbling by other teams, said tournament director Tim Garrett, who operates Aqua Fantasea Charters and competed in the event. The walleyes, said Garrett, looked "old."
"There was a protest," said Garrett. "Their fish were disqualified."
Team captain Kresse was stunned by the decision.
"We've fished a lot of tournaments and have never been accused of cheating," said Kresse. "This was a small tournament, a fun event. There wasn't very much at stake here."
Garrett said the walleyes appeared to have been caught before the tournament began. He said they were milky grey in color and looked like they'd been frozen and thawed.
Kresse disagreed.
"We keep our walleyes in ice water." he said. "We always have. The biggest walleye, which weighed a little more than 11 pounds, was the first fish we caught just after the start at 6:30 a.m."
The tournament rules called for a Torry Meter to be used to determine if a walleye was caught before the tournament began, but the device was not available at the weigh-in. In many walleye tournaments the fish are not put in live wells, as is done in most largemouth and smallmouth bass tournaments. The large charter boats seldom have live wells and fishermen store their walleyes on ice in coolers.
The rules stipulated that in the event of a protest by another team a polygraph test would be used to settle the protest.
The NCCBA tournament results were changed and the victory awarded to LA Charters, skippered by Tim Garrett's brother, Jim Garrett. Jim Schonauer and his Schoney Charters team moved up to second, followed by Marv DeGreen's Evil Eye Charters. All three charter boats dock at Grand River Marina.
To officially settle the issue Tim Garrett arranged for Don Nagel of Kresse's team to take a polygraph test at Security Polygraph Consultants Inc. in Bedford Heights. Garrett said he received a report that Nagel's answers "were deceitful," and is waiting for the official results of the test before making the revised results official.
That wasn't good enough for Kresse and his team. Being labelled as cheaters would prevent them from competing in fishing tournaments. They thrive on Lake Erie walleye tournaments and Frey, rated one of the best walleye anglers in the country, competes on the prestigious In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail.
The trophies have yet to be awarded and the purse distributed. When that is done, it won't put a lid on this year's NCCBA tournament. Attorney Dan Haude of the Reminger and Reminger law firm in Cleveland is now representing Kresse and his squad.
"I believe in these fishermen and I don't think a polygraph test is conclusive," he said.
"It's certainly not the first-place money these men are after," said Haude. "It would only amount to $400 or $500 for each man, certainly not enough to make a difference. Their reputations have been trashed by tournament officials and we're ready to fight that in court."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136

[What else is new]

Where there's smoke there's fire. This is not the first time it's been suspected. I wonder what the PWT will think with one of their "Best of the Best" involved.

[What else is new]

Where there's smoke there's fire. This is not the first time it's been suspected. I wonder what the PWT will think with one of their "Best of the Best" involved.

[www]

Darcy really gave him some credit.

[www]

Darcy really gave him some credit.

[Juls_OH]

I don't read it that way, but instead, read it as Darcy giving the facts, and printing quotes by other people. I don't feel Darcy is giving either party his opinion on this one. I don't see it as slanted in either party's favor either. Darcy is only telling the story...that's what he does best.

Just my opinion

Juls

[Juls_OH]

I don't read it that way, but instead, read it as Darcy giving the facts, and printing quotes by other people. I don't feel Darcy is giving either party his opinion on this one. I don't see it as slanted in either party's favor either. Darcy is only telling the story...that's what he does best.

Just my opinion

Juls

[anyone]

With litigation in the offing, it's best to keep opinions to yourself, or acknowledge that they are only opinions. This will likely get ugly.

[anyone]

With litigation in the offing, it's best to keep opinions to yourself, or acknowledge that they are only opinions. This will likely get ugly.

[agreed]

The posting is general publicrecord so records of names are not confidential, however lets do our best to keep personal opinions and slander out of this until the courts have made judgement. In any event this negative publicity will do nothing but hurt attendance at future Erie tournamnets where attendance already sucks anyhow. I agree, this will be ugly.

[agreed]

The posting is general publicrecord so records of names are not confidential, however lets do our best to keep personal opinions and slander out of this until the courts have made judgement. In any event this negative publicity will do nothing but hurt attendance at future Erie tournamnets where attendance already sucks anyhow. I agree, this will be ugly.

[jcass]

What is a Torry Meter? I did a search and couldn't find anything.

[jcass]

What is a Torry Meter? I did a search and couldn't find anything.

[sj unlogged]

gr Torrymeter ... -a fish freshness meter...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=gr+torrymeter&btnG=Search

[sj unlogged]

gr Torrymeter ... -a fish freshness meter...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=gr+torrymeter&btnG=Search

[honesty]

I will tell you this!! I have been fishing with Bob since approx. 1972 and I have learned the value of sportsmanship and honesty. We have never taken 1 fish over the limit - NEVER. I wish that everyone was as honest as he was and we wouldn't be discussing this. This is totally amazing that someone would ever acuse him of this. I am sorry for those who have made these unfounded claims. The truth will come out and I'd bet the farm that he is innocent!!!

[honesty]

I will tell you this!! I have been fishing with Bob since approx. 1972 and I have learned the value of sportsmanship and honesty. We have never taken 1 fish over the limit - NEVER. I wish that everyone was as honest as he was and we wouldn't be discussing this. This is totally amazing that someone would ever acuse him of this. I am sorry for those who have made these unfounded claims. The truth will come out and I'd bet the farm that he is innocent!!!

[Kolby]

I'm sure most intelligent people will believe the fish were caught that day. I wack all of my eater fish and throw them on the ice, if you get a little water in with that ice, the walleyes can look a week old in a few hours due to the discoloration. I'm sure the experienced/important people of the walleye community know this and can see through the cloud of doubt.

[Kolby]

I'm sure most intelligent people will believe the fish were caught that day. I wack all of my eater fish and throw them on the ice, if you get a little water in with that ice, the walleyes can look a week old in a few hours due to the discoloration. I'm sure the experienced/important people of the walleye community know this and can see through the cloud of doubt.

[deceitful]

To officially settle the issue Tim Garrett arranged for Don Nagel of Kresse's team to take a polygraph test at Security Polygraph Consultants Inc. in Bedford Heights. Garrett said he received a report that Nagel's answers "were deceitful," and is waiting for the official results of the test before making the revised results official.

what was the official result?

[deceitful]

To officially settle the issue Tim Garrett arranged for Don Nagel of Kresse's team to take a polygraph test at Security Polygraph Consultants Inc. in Bedford Heights. Garrett said he received a report that Nagel's answers "were deceitful," and is waiting for the official results of the test before making the revised results official.

what was the official result?

[thetruth]

Just wondering what the "offical results" are on the polygraph test? I only feel it is fair to all parties involved to let us know!

[Marble Eyes]

Attorney Dan Haude of the Reminger and Reminger law firm in Cleveland is now representing Kresse and his squad.
"I believe in these fishermen and I don't think a polygraph test is conclusive," he said.

------------------------

So they agree to the polygraph condition when they enter, now they hire an attorney to fight the results they agreed to? Seems to me that instead of hiring an attorney and attempting to to get it thrown out they would all take the test.

One bad test could probably be had, but there would be no way I would listen to anyone that tried to tell me that 3 out of 4 showing deciept or honesty was wrong.

[Justified]

Marble Eyes,

I agree with you 166%. They all agreed to a polygraph test but now they don't agree when the results aren't quite what they anticipated. I have been watchng this post since it started and anytime a topic involves cheating in a walleye tournament it always gets dusted on this board when it involves a well known walleye pro. The only reason this thread hasn't been dusted is it has been reported in the newspaper and involves attorneys and the justice system. What really AMAZES me is why do tournament directors get in involved in situations like this when they KNOW that a situation could arise where they have to make a rule decision and A family member or relative participant gets the benefit of decision by another relative or family member.When are people going to learn to keep there relatives out of competitive events they have to administer the rules when a violation occurs? Sometimes people are their own worst enemies.

[Justified]

As a side note, I don't believe there was ever invented a competative event such as a "friendly little walleye tournament" when there is money on the table to go to a winner. That "friendly" situation only sometimes exists when there is nothing to be gained monetarily by the particapantsand sometimes even then it get's ugly and not very friendly.

As football legend Bobby Layne once said, " I don't care if we are playing marbles for a glass of water, I will do anything to beat your brains out to be the winner."

[old school eyeguy]

[b]
IN GOD WE TRUST ... ALL OTHERS WE POLYGRAPH :)

[topwater]

dont they check the boats for fish in the morning before each boat heads out?

[JUSTIFIED]

Topwater,

That is what I was going to ask, were all these guys so honest and near to God that the boats checks weren't necessary? I think I am going to make a call or email to the Cleveland Blade to see what is going on. I has been over 3 weeks now and if inquiring minds don't start asking questions I suspect this will be swept under the rug and gagged as is the case nearly all cheat incidents.

[fishhogg1]

Checking livewells. I have fished a number of tournaments at Lake Erie, and that always griped my a$$. Most of the tournament directors try to draw as many boaters as possible (makes sense), but in doing so they always seem to allow the guys with the big boats that are not on trailers to come to the start by water, and to the weigh in by land. Now 99.9% of these guys are honest, hard working stiffs like the rest of us, but it still makes you wonder. Ecspecially when someone does as well as they do all of the time. I am not pointing fingers, but for those of us that fish up there enough know exactly what I mean.

[Friend of Erie]

I have had all 4 team members sometime together; sometime seperately fish local tournaments I was involved in. NO WAY do these guys do anything wrong. They do fish hard and GONZO! They are hard to beat.

I have heard they was coaching and harassment during the first Lie Detector test which involved friends of the guys running the tournament. This was not an impartial test if given by aquantence of the team members who are in a position to move up in the standings.

Since this started 2 more members of the Kresse team and taken and passed another test.

Now if 2 guys pass the test this should no longer be an issue! This just shows that Lie Detectors results are not valid, just a tool.

I have to think those involved in making the protest where just sore loosers. They may have wanted to save face since they are Captains and this was THEIR Tournament in their HOME PORT and they got BEAT!


CtownFisherman

[Castanza]

If you believe its true, then it is......

[Friend of Erie]

INOCENT UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE

CTOWNFISHERMAN

[cutter]

I will guarantee that the accused are not going to sweep this under the table! I'm sure the accusers would like to see this go away.

When you question, or accuse someone, you better be darn sure your right.

Or better yet, when your integrity has been questioned and you are innocent, you better believe that the gloves are OFF! NO holds bar!

Do you know who is sweating it out now??? I'd bet the accusers

[fishhogg1]

What is happening with this? Right, wrong, or indifferent these guys got slammed on here, and I only feel it is fair to them that the truth comes out. Anyplace else we can look for information about this? Come on WWW you put this on here! I think you owe it to these 4 guys to let everyone know the truth.

[www]

Dude, I read about it in the local paper so its not exactly like its priviledged information or anything. My original post did not include an opinion either way, just stated what i had read. The title "unbelievable" was not intended to be accusatory. Im surprised this has not happened more often during tournaments on Erie. What would you have me do, make calls around town to see what the verdict is. When this is resolved i am sure everyone will be made of the outcome soon ehough.