MWC Dubuque Answers

[pwuebker]

There have been a few concerns about high water and the Motorguide-MWC tournament in Dubuque Iowa coming up April 21/22. Here are the details.

The tournament will be held as scheduled.

Wildlife Forever has been a regular contact with the army corp of engineers, the lock and dam people, the coast guard and, of course, several members of the Mississippi River Walleye Club.

The numbers from several sources expect the water to be at 22 feet above flood by tournament time. This is well below the landings and should not be a problem for launching and retrieving boats. The weigh in site is up even further.

Debris levels are still low.

The lock and dam people will be pulling their motors at 19 feet (currently the water levels are at 15). That may force a one pool tournament. However, pool 12 is large and will provide plenty of room and plenty of fish.

Angler safety will be our #1 concern. Keep in mind that marine radios are now required to fish.

Barring anything different from the predictions of the a.c.e., lock/dam and coast guard, we'll see all the anglers down there. In the event something like that does happen, the first notice will be here on walleye central with calls going out to all team captains.

Wildlife Forever will continue to keep in touch with all those who know and watch the river.

Pete

["Kaz"]

Pete,

I conducted a MWC tournament at Dubuque under very high water conditions one year. Guess what? We still gave away all of the prize money. Many fish were caught. Some of the best fishing was in the boat slip areas near the launch site. Walleyes don't like to fight heavy current. You have to find those quiet spots just off the main channel.

Best regards......."Kaz"

[pwuebker]

Thanks Kaz.

BTW . . . we'll be taking additional entries until Tues/Wed of next week.

Pete

[rd]

One more question, how many boats are signed up so far?

[Mark]

When will this call be made? Remember we will be pre-fishing and will not have access to a computer or home phone when we are sitting in some hotel in Dubuque wating for the water livel to go down.

[Da Bears]

How come it isn't safe enough to have the championship, which is later, but it is safe enough to have a tourney in Dubuque?? How many boats are entered so far?

[pwuebker]

See the post under the championship

[pwuebker]

We will continue to monitor the water levels and see if things move along predictions. We'll take another hard look on Monday. anglers have the tournament directors phone number and can call. Calls can also be made to me (Don't call first thing Monday morning. I'll need some time to contact all the various sources).

[Bill Brosnahan]

I'm Bill Brosnahan a member of the executive board of the Mississippi Waleye Club of Dubuque and heavily committed in the preparation of the MWC tournament on April 21 & 22. We have been in touch with the MWC, National Weather Service, Corps of Engineers & Coast Guard on a daily basis monitoring the rise of the Mississippi River. As of this morning (7:00AM, April 13) they are predicting the Mississippi River to crest at 22.5 ft on Tuesday April 24. Flood stage at Dubuque is 17 ft. At the 19 ft. level the Corps pulls the motors from the dams to prevent damage to them. This will cause us to restrict the tournament to pool 12. This pool is approximately 30 miles in length. If the river drops below the 19 ft. level before the tournament and the corps opens the locks we can go back to a 3 pool tournament. Our tournament ramp is OPEN. The tournament site (The Dubuque Greyhound Park & Casino) is HIGH and DRY.
Our club has been working for over a year in preparation for the tournament and we have received tremendous support from Dubuque area businesses to ensure that all MWC Pros experience the warm hospitality of the city and a professionally run tournament.
As Pete has indicated there are plenty of spots available. So get signed up! Let our Club do the worrying about logistics. You need to concentrate on how to catch Walleye in high water conditions. Thanks to all who have stuck with us and remain committed to our tournament. I promise you, you won't be disappointed!!
My cell phone number is 563-543-2863. If you have any questions, need lodging, directions etc. Please call.

THANKS-Hope to see you at the rules meeting & GOOD LUCK!!

Bill Brosnahan

[Bill Brosnahan]

Correction on the crest date of the Mississippi River at Dubuque. Crest at Dubuque is expected on April 17, 2001 at 22.5 ft.

THANKS---Bill