RCL Needs to Expand

[Dave L.]

Now that Mark Dorn has been announced as the Director of Walleye Operations at FLW Outdoors I think he needs to consider expanding the walleye circuit. The big pro tourneys are fine, but what I mean is that the RCL needs to expand like its bass brother the FLW. The FLW trail is open only to elite bass guys. But they also have an Everstart Series and a BFL (Bass Fishing League) series that are open to all anglers. We need the same thing in the walleye world to allow up and coming anglers to be able to afford tournaments and be able to keep their regular jobs. The Everstart Series costs about $600 to enter and is really a pro series not for the amateur. The BFL series costs $150 and are a series of divisional 1 day tourneys that lead up to a regional where you can win $50,000 worth of a boat and truck. My friend Allan in Florida won his regional in the BFL this past fall so I know this to be true. If you finish in the top 8 of your regional at a BFL you are invited to compete for $100,000 at the All American.

I think it is time for the RCL to open the door to more anglers and start a similar series to include more anglers.

[rangerpat]

I agree!!

[Eyesguy]

Great idea! but I wonder if this would leave enough co-angler entrants for the main events?

[SnellTier]

I am showing my ignorance here ... but what the heck does "FLW" stand for??

I know what RCL and PWT stand for, but FLW??

tomd

[Goldenboy]

"FLW": Forest L. Wood (Ranger Boats)

[stevefellegy]

Although competitive walleye fishing has grown faster per it's history than the bass end of things did originally, remember, the walleye game is still relatively young. Don' t worry, there is a very progressive force behind the wheel of RCL. Mark Dorn will, positively, add to that force. In the meantime, we're lucky to have the expansion of MWC for the 2002 season.

[Dave L.]

I am very excited about the future of competetive walleye fishing and walleye fishing in general. I think the future looks very bright indeed and if we can eventually have a minor-league system similar to what the FLW tour has with its Everstart and BFL who knows how big, of course relative to the monster that is bass fishing, competetive walleye fishing will become.

I think the whole thing is very exciting for walleye anglers.

Dave L.

[Chairman]

I think your right about expanding and I am guessing that it will happen. Remember, we are only in the second year of the RCL tour. Give them a chance to show the big money sponsers that us walleye guys will support the tournaments.
I think the next 5 years will show as many changes as we have seen since the first big circuit (MWC) was started with Jim Kalkofen and several tackle manufacturers.
THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.
Chairman
NPAA #6

[Tom]

Maybe I dont fully understand things, but is the RCL really a good thing? Doesn't it exclude some pretty qualified fisherman? (ie, Tracker, Triton, Yar-Craft, Champion, Skeeter and Tuffy sponsored fisherman.)

[SnellTier]

thanks goldenboy. Man, I would never have gotten that.

[Tim Minnema]

I have been fortunate enough to see the whole walleye tournament scene expand since 1984. I watched my father compete in some of the first major tournaments. In 1987 we teamed up on the MWC and have fished the circuit ever since. Mark Dorn and Jim Kalkofen were very involved in those early MWC years and the circuit has been a model to follow ever since. I am sure Mark Dorn and the rest of the RCL staff have good plans for the RCL circuit. I am very happy he is going to be a part of the circuit. Last year I competed in all RCL events and was extremely pleased with the circuit. If you are looking for a circuit to fish with a lower entry and a great payout come and fish the MWC there are still openings in 3 tournaments, but hurry because they are filling. Remember the MWC was a starting point for many of the Walleye gods such as Mike McCelland, Daryl Christensen, Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz, just to name a few. I hope you have good luck in all of your fishing endeavors this year.

[Jason]

Right to a point Tim. Mark Dorn fished the MWC but didn't have anything to do with running it. Jim Kalkofen worked for Mercury a MWC sponsor before going to IN-Fish. Kaz was the main man and with him back with the MWC, it's going to fly. Take a look what's already happened. Cabela's is the title sponsor, there's more MWC sponsors than ever, fantastic payouts, and exclusive t.v. coverage of the tournaments and championship. All of this for $600 a team entry. Kaz and Bev are a big reason why pro walleye fishing is where it is now.

[Al]

I've read that RCL hasn't filled the non boater side at Detroit River. Until they have waiting lists, as they do in the FLW events and Everstarts, they won't expand into the lower ranks. It may happen, but remember, walleye tournament fishing, and walleye fishing in general isn't as widespread as bass fishing. Not a knock, just a fact. Without the mass appeal, there's not much to sell sponsors to fund a BFL type walleye circuit. I'm not saying it won't happen, I'm just saying that by comparing it to Bass fishing, it's apples to oranges. What next, Crappie trails too?

[SUPERTROLLER]

No, they are not excluded. They just have to fish the Amatuer side of the series. I think several of the manufacturers that you listed have tournaments just for the owners of their Brand Name boats, too. Maybe someone with the Knowledge of which ones have their own tourneys can post a more thorough list of ALL manufacturers that run brand specific tornaments. Crestliner, Skeeter, Lund, Yar-Craft, Ranger, ..........

I think a lot of people get their underwear in a knot because the RCL tournaments have the biggest payouts. That's fine. Someone has to have the biggest pot of loot. If the Yar-Craft owners want to raise the stakes in their tournament tell it to the Company. It's not RCL owners perogative to tell them how to run their business.

[Tim Minnema]

Jason what I was refering to is what Mark did for the Advertising end of the circuit. He was involved at each tournament as far a interviews with the winners, and preparing the printing of the next years tornament brochure and magazine. Which was a very effetive means of advertising the circuit.