Rick Socholotuk
09-10-2007, 10:25 PM
My wife Tracy and I had such a great time in Dryden in July that we were both really happy to be getting away to the next PWT Super-Pro event. Tracy was only semi-reluctant to leave her pet groundhog for several days. That’s right, I said a groundhog. Our grandson Carter had named the creature who occupies the underside of our shed ‘Fireball‘. (Apparently Carter has noticed some attribute in the portly little animal that we’re incapable of seeing and no doubt the obese rodent would be flattered with this moniker). Anyway, leave Fireball behind we did and headed south to beautiful Cass Lake Minnesota.
The weather in Cass Lake was exceptional for September with the temps in the 90s (30s Celsius). However, it wasn’t the climate that was making this event so hot, it was the level of excitement among the competitors in the final Super-Pro event of the season. The electricity in the room at the amateur school was heightened for me when I found myself seated with the 2006 championship amateur winner and pros Tom Kemos, Ernie Olson and Tommy Skarlis. It was also my pleasure to meet, for the first time, amateur competitors Dave Kegler of Hubertus, WI, and James Ordway from Hartland, WI.
Each day of competition began with Tracy and I stopping at the local gas station for some food and coffee before she dropped me off at the ramp. Our breakfast companions turned out to be Dave and James from Wisconsin. It was a great way to start the day, swapping fish stories with these two jovial fellows.
Tuesday morning found me paired with Doc Johnson from Denver, Colorado. There were no lack of bites that first day and we were kept busy reeling in walleye after walleye. Despite this, we weren’t able to bring in any more than two fish within the slot size for Cass Lake. I have to hand it to Doc, he was the consummate professional and kept his cool even in these unfavourable conditions. He taught me several new techniques that I know are going to help me in future tournaments. Throughout the day, we also came to realize many similarities in our personal lives and the conversation flowed freely.
Wednesday dawned even hotter than the day before. My partner that second day was Pat Neu from Forestville, WI. Pat was the first place winner in Escanaba Michigan in 2006 and the FLW winner in Green Bay in 2005. Pat’s relaxed and confident manner made it easy to follow the technique he was teaching me. His methodology brought fish in the boat immediately and we were able to weigh our limit that day. Pat even took the time to venture into another area to demonstrate a presentation that I was interested in learning about.
On the third and final day, we awoke to rain and a drastic drop in temperature. The start was delayed a bit due to some thunder and lightning. Although day three was windy, wet and cold, I was still awed by the fact that the man in the bow was none other than last year’s championship winner at Bismark, ND, Tom Kemos. Being that neither of us were in the running for any money, we adopted a more relaxed attitude. We fished areas that weren’t inhabited by other anglers who were in a more favourable position. It seemed to pay off when we weighed in at close to fourteen pounds with one of the fish being a 27 inch walleye.
I have to say the thing that impressed me more than any other was the professional courtesy I observed while fishing the PWT. I think it’s what sets the pros apart from the regular Joes. Although these men are competing for tens of thousands of dollars, they demonstrate a respect for one another that is truly admirable. This fact was really brought home when Brad Davis won first place to the cheers and applause of his fellow anglers. I also witnessed more than one pro wiping a tear from his eye, feeling that Brad’s win was well deserved.
It was also remarkable to see two fathers and sons in the top rankings. Gary Parsons and son Chase as well as Dan and Danny Plautz are carrying on a fine family tradition.
Tracy and I were elated to see the amateur first place winner was our breakfast companion, Dave Kegler.
The presence of the legendary Gary Roach added the crowning touch to the whole event.
What an icredible time we had. It's hard to believe it's over already. We're back home now. Tracy is tending to the groundhog who seems no worse for our absence. I’m reflecting on the past week…reliving the ecstasy and the agony. What a rush. If anyone out there is contemplating fishing as an amateur in the PWT, debate no further. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
The weather in Cass Lake was exceptional for September with the temps in the 90s (30s Celsius). However, it wasn’t the climate that was making this event so hot, it was the level of excitement among the competitors in the final Super-Pro event of the season. The electricity in the room at the amateur school was heightened for me when I found myself seated with the 2006 championship amateur winner and pros Tom Kemos, Ernie Olson and Tommy Skarlis. It was also my pleasure to meet, for the first time, amateur competitors Dave Kegler of Hubertus, WI, and James Ordway from Hartland, WI.
Each day of competition began with Tracy and I stopping at the local gas station for some food and coffee before she dropped me off at the ramp. Our breakfast companions turned out to be Dave and James from Wisconsin. It was a great way to start the day, swapping fish stories with these two jovial fellows.
Tuesday morning found me paired with Doc Johnson from Denver, Colorado. There were no lack of bites that first day and we were kept busy reeling in walleye after walleye. Despite this, we weren’t able to bring in any more than two fish within the slot size for Cass Lake. I have to hand it to Doc, he was the consummate professional and kept his cool even in these unfavourable conditions. He taught me several new techniques that I know are going to help me in future tournaments. Throughout the day, we also came to realize many similarities in our personal lives and the conversation flowed freely.
Wednesday dawned even hotter than the day before. My partner that second day was Pat Neu from Forestville, WI. Pat was the first place winner in Escanaba Michigan in 2006 and the FLW winner in Green Bay in 2005. Pat’s relaxed and confident manner made it easy to follow the technique he was teaching me. His methodology brought fish in the boat immediately and we were able to weigh our limit that day. Pat even took the time to venture into another area to demonstrate a presentation that I was interested in learning about.
On the third and final day, we awoke to rain and a drastic drop in temperature. The start was delayed a bit due to some thunder and lightning. Although day three was windy, wet and cold, I was still awed by the fact that the man in the bow was none other than last year’s championship winner at Bismark, ND, Tom Kemos. Being that neither of us were in the running for any money, we adopted a more relaxed attitude. We fished areas that weren’t inhabited by other anglers who were in a more favourable position. It seemed to pay off when we weighed in at close to fourteen pounds with one of the fish being a 27 inch walleye.
I have to say the thing that impressed me more than any other was the professional courtesy I observed while fishing the PWT. I think it’s what sets the pros apart from the regular Joes. Although these men are competing for tens of thousands of dollars, they demonstrate a respect for one another that is truly admirable. This fact was really brought home when Brad Davis won first place to the cheers and applause of his fellow anglers. I also witnessed more than one pro wiping a tear from his eye, feeling that Brad’s win was well deserved.
It was also remarkable to see two fathers and sons in the top rankings. Gary Parsons and son Chase as well as Dan and Danny Plautz are carrying on a fine family tradition.
Tracy and I were elated to see the amateur first place winner was our breakfast companion, Dave Kegler.
The presence of the legendary Gary Roach added the crowning touch to the whole event.
What an icredible time we had. It's hard to believe it's over already. We're back home now. Tracy is tending to the groundhog who seems no worse for our absence. I’m reflecting on the past week…reliving the ecstasy and the agony. What a rush. If anyone out there is contemplating fishing as an amateur in the PWT, debate no further. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.