MWC World Walleye Championship: New dates

[pwuebker]

We've all been watching the water levels at Red Wing and I know everyone's been wondering. It's not easy changing things around for a major event and so it's taken a few days to get everything organized.

The new dates for the Championship will be October 16 - 20, 2001.

Why the change?

Wildlife Forever has been in touch with the army corps of engineers, the lock/dam people and coast guard plus the tournament director and Ralph Dierks.

Safety is the #1 issue and it is very unsafe right now and will get worse.

Legistically, the water is expected to rise above the weigh in site. This of course means that anglers would not docking facilities. We want this to be as good or better a Championship experience as last year.

Why October?

The permitting process in Minnesota for this year provided little flexibility. We could have gone a couple of weeks earlier but that would have conflicted with the RCL championship already scheduled.

Official letters are being mailed to all qualifiers along with a copy of the press release.

I know everyone was looking forward to a May Championship. But the anglers can expect a significantly greater experience in October. Wildlife Forever is working on some new ideas which we believe will make this a truly world class event.

Additional details will follow down the road for the qualifiers.

[mwc on thin ice]

Pete I think the dubuque tournament should be cancelled also. i've have been getting alot of phone calls from some qualifiers telling me that they are scheuduled for vacation that week in may and they might not beable to get a vacation in october. the mwc is on thin ice now i don't think you want anymore tourneys guys mad as ##### like they are now. there's only 50 teams in the championship why don't you talk to kaz and find a alternate spot as soon as possible i know it can be done. if you cancel the championship then why not cancel the dubuque tourney same situation.

[Pat Neu]

Pete,

It is very disappointing to hear that the Championship in Redwing has been cancelled. High water has never caused the cancelation of a Tournament in Spring Valley and there has been at least one year when fish were caught there in corn fields. However, if high water is the cause for cancelling the Championship, I feel rescheduling it without contacting the majority of the participants for their thoughts and concerns is not an equitable solution. Many of us have other obligations throughout the year to consider, such as scheduled vacations, boats that are usually sold in mid September, and our desire to be in a treestand or duck blind instead of a boat in October.

Looking at the direction the MWC has taken over the past 12 months I feel you need to do everything possible to find another site for the Championship during the scheduled week or at a minimum poll the qualifying field as to their first thru third choice of alternate dates and locations. I know that I will not be attending the event if it's held in October because of a prior career related commitment. Unfortuneatley that's not fair to my partner or myself, but that's the way it is.

Sincerely,

Pat Neu

[steve baugnet]

I agree with Pat, there's other sites that we can have the championship but we must move fast.Pete get on the phone! there's only 50 boats. Pat is 100% right alot of guys have commitments in oct and alot of guys have there boats sold. there's so many places you can have the championship so let's not scratch it so soon. Have it at dubuque or call bill Guerinni at spring valley he could have the planning done in a day. so lets get our heads together. how about the wisconsin river? let's get something planned now. what happens next year when were ever the championship is the waters to high we can't keep changing dates. well i could go on and on but i'm to upset....

[gf]

committment to duck hunting and not safety right now at this point it is a good call for wildlife forever.the mwc is only on thin ice do to the whiners that fish it.

[Angler]

I am wondering how much of this has to do with Wildlife Forever not being prepared (why hadn't anyone even received info packets yet, when your web page says we will receive them in Feb.) A few years ago Spring Valley was just as flooded, and the tournament went on as scheduled, why would Dubuque still be being held when the river is supposed to be at it's highest, when Red Wing will have already reached it's peak and be dropping? So many of us spent a year to qualify for this tourney, and set our schedules according to the tourney dates, some of these plans can longer be changed. Why would the anglers input not even be taken into consideration? As Kaz pointed out, high water has definitely been fished before. If safety is the main concern, please tell me the difference between Red Wing and Dubuque. Why also should you base your decision on dates partiallly on the RCL tournament. The anglers made their choice which to fish, and to my knowledge, those fishing the RCL are not even fishing the MWC this year. In reality, it doesn't co-inside, the prefishing would simply be cut back a few days.

[mwcer]

I AGREE BUT WHAT CAN WE DO I HOPE THE PEOPLE AT WILDLIFE FOREVER REALLY THINK ABOUT THIS. YA KNOW I REALLY LOVED FISHING THE MWC BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER. LET'S LET THE QUALIFIERS DECIDE ON THIS GIVE THEM A CALL NOW AND LETS GET ON WITH IT THE CHAMPIONSHIP MUST BE HELD !!!!!!!

[CONCERNED]

How about work,vacation,weddings and so on we've fished the illinois river when that was flooded and like kaz said they fished dubuque when that was flooded how about selling a boat i have to agree with angler IT'S NOT BEING READY

[FISHFACE]

I AGREE 100PERCENT

[mwcer]

Pete alot of mwcer don't have access to a computer so if you send them info on concellation it's to late. please call everyone this is a serious situation we need run this championship as scheululed. get together with KAZ he will help you please just call him. Pete keep this post alive let us know what happening. Is the RCL also cancelling in La Crosse? think about it!

[concerned]

Let's have the championship at dubuque atleast we wouln't have to cancel it. Anywere is better than nowere!!!

[pwuebker]

1. Championship v.s. dubuque

I know it's the same river but the situastions is different between these two places at those points in time. Based on a variety of informational sources including disccussions with the Mississippi River Walleye Club, they can put on a first class tournament.

We'll be taking a final look at conditions on Monday to see if things are progressing according to predictions. If so, we're on, if not it will be rescheduled or cancelled.

That's pretty much what I said in my previous Dubuque related post.

The Championship site has has different situation. it's expected that during those dates, the weigh in site will be under water. With water that high, landings will closed in lake city and red wing, as well.

These are not the same calliber of tournaments. Qualifiers deserve a true Championship experience, above and beyond the traditional circuit tournament.

To compare these two sites and these two tournaments is apples and oranges.

2. Is it because Wildlife is not prepared?

Far from it. Fact is, it was significantly more work to make the change and work through all the details. And it will take even more work to recoordinate everything for the new date.

I'd much rather have figured out some way to pull it off and maintain the high standards that were set last year.

Some of you seem to think wildlife Forever takes this change lightly. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Do you think we just sat down one day and said let's change it for our own purposes? Wildlife Forever has been working through alternatives and ideas for over a week. An extreme number of meetings, phone calls, research and hours went into finally making this call.

We don't really like any more than some of you. But the decision is made and now it's time for all of us to live with it and deal with it as best we can.

3. Let's take a vote

That would have accomplished little. There would still be people disappointed with the result no matter what it was.

While we agree that angler input is important. There are instances where someone has to bite the bullet and make the hard call. This was one of them.

[predator 2]

I am not happy about the change either.Iwould much rather stay at treasue island at the original date or the october date then traveling to where ever and fish a quick thrown together disorginized tourny. I have put alot of effort, time and money in preparing to fish pools 3&4,and my partner has put in far more than me! I also LOVE DUCK HUNTING as does my lab & step son. But I would rather fish here than just anywhere to save the original dates.I wold like to see the the original date used as long as the corp of engineers allows travele on the river in both pools as this is where the original champioship was set. Besides treasure island donates alot of time and money to this event too. both in the purse & in all their personal purchases.

[eyes]

HEY PETE WITH 60 TEAMS ON A AVERAGE SIGNED UP FOR ALL TOURNAMENTS BOY ARE YOU DOING A GREAT JOB!!!!!!

["Excuse" Me]

Who do you think you are kidding??

You guys dropped the ball, and you are going to make us all (the anglers and sponsors) pay for it! We haven't seen any information. Treasure Island and everyone else talked to (who are supposed to be "in the know") have NO idea what is going on.

Last year was incredibly good-everyone involved said it was the best championship ever-EVERYONE said it-and this year is just going to be incredibly lame.

I, for one, would like to see the Army Corps' report posted here on Walleye Central. Until then, I think that angler is right-they do NOT have their act together. Excuses are easy to make when the work isn't done! Remember, actions speak louder than words, and the current staff of Wildlife Forever are really showing their true nature.

[eyes]

I AGREE WITH YOU 100% I ALSO WOULD LIKE THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS MAKE A STATEMENT. LETS FISH!

[Bear]

Isn't it kind of sudden to be cancelling the championship? That is 3 weeks away. I live in LaCrosse and the river will be cresting next week here. I would say that the river will be well within it's banks by then. There are some determining factors such as rain. The snowmelt isn't a factor anymore. There must be more to the story.

Bear

[Frank Pillsbury]

I just got off of the phone with the "brain wizzards" @ Treasure Island...Funny they had to call me back because they are SANDBAGGING the backside of the property.I have talked to the Frontenac Sportsmans club, {the Tounarment Directors},who said they agreed on Wednesday with Wildlife Forever to "CALL" the championship.The other tounerment at T.I.the St. Jude Bass Championship on April 28& 29 was also moved to October.The river is closed now and will be to pleasure navagation.They predict the crest,flood,and high water will exceed the '97 levels and maybe pass 1965.(St.Paul-Red Wing).The T.I. folks feel like they will be back in business by mid May however there is no dates avalable.
The call to move was also made by:Info gatherd from USCG,Corp.of Eng.s,Lock master Dave Hawkenson,Frontec Sportsmans club,local Red Wing angler Ralph Deriks,folks@Treasure Island etc.
This was a tough call.. you can check with any of the sponsers as to weither things were planed and on target for the May date or not!
Frank Pillsbury
office 952 820 4266
cell 612 581 4169

[local boy]

SOMETHINGS FISHY

[Pro V]

Pete, you did what you had to do. Given the conditions, you really did'nt have any other choice!
Now, for all you whiners...You don't just pick up a championship tournament,pack it in a box,and move to another location! Like the old saying goes, "The devils in the details."
It takes 100's of countless hours of planning and coordinating an event like this. Everything to do with the weigh in and the weigh facilities, to the banquets, the the promotions, to the lodging, food, press, TV, ProAm day, ect.,ect.,ect!!! You just don't up and move it. It's not that simple.
I am also very disapointed that the championship is not going to be in May, but I would rather fish a well organized quality event in October,than to try and just throw together a championship quality event somewhere some how. It just won't work.As for the river at Red Wing, it is just plain ugly right now and is going to get a lot worse. Predictions now are for one of the top three worst floods ever. Even without any more rain the river is going to stay way up over flood stage well into May.
LETS GET OVER IT AND ON WITH IT! SEE YOU IN OCTOBER.
Randy Stevens

[Rigs]

What are the current plans for Dubuque. Won't it be under water next week? Just checking.

[pwuebker]

I was one the phone yesterday with the tournament folks in dubuque. As of yesterday, the water levels are rising according to predictions. if it stays that way, it will safely fishable.

they did get some rain late yesterday and we'll take another final look at the situation on Monday, talk with the corps, local/dam and coast guard plus tournament people.

[pwuebker]

Thanks Randy. clearly you have an understanding of what a quality Championship event requires.

maybe I haven't said it enough, but I'm disappointed along with everyone else (I'm sure not as much as the qualifiers). We all are.

I'm sorry we're unable to please everybody. keep in mind we'll be working all that much harder to ensure a great experience.

[walleye]

If the river is above flood stage, and this presents a concern
with safty,and river accessibly. The campionship should be postponed. I as quualifier, would prefer to fish the same river,
not another site. I would like however an earlier date then october.

[Yeah O.K.]

The main concern is debris in the water for safety of the anglers,well unless someone put a net across the river the river at Dubuque will be very unsafe just a thought

[Yeah O.K.]

The main concern is debris in the water for safety of the anglers,well unless someone put a net across the river the river at Dubuque will be very unsafe just a thought

[SmallEye]

I did fish the Championship at Red Wing last year and could not have asked for a better tournament. Every detail was planned out and it truly was a memorable experience. I did not qualify for the championship this year (and now I may be aa bit relieved after this mess). I just wanted all of this years qualifiers to have a little patience (I know that's not easy) let Wildlife Forever do what they need to to insure another great tournament. They made the call that they thought was correct. I am sure it wasn't what they wanted to do, but they had to. I know you all had your plans set for May (and are just plain looking forward to fishing this event), but I think most of you would be able to swing changing your schedules. I know that if I had a chance to fish this event again, I WOULD find a way to fish it...wherever and whenever they held it. Be patient. Nature is sometimes in control.

SmallEye

[Terry/JNR]

It's been my understanding that anyone fishing the MWC, or any other tournament circut, either is a professional fisherman or is trying to work towards that goal. All the whining on this post now makes me wounder.
I have a hunch that if Wild Life Forever went on with the tournament as scheduled, we'd hear simalar whining about the bad water conditions and poor fishing and that they should have cancled or postponed the date.
Kaz had 15 years to fine tune the tournaments. I'm sure he had a lot of problems when first starting out, too. Give Wild Life Forever some time and I think you'll see first class tournaments. As a matter of fact, I was at all of the regular tournaments for the last 2 years and they didn't seem to be run all that badly. Not everything always went according to plan for Kaz at every tournament, either.
Duck hunting? Weddings?!! What do these have to do with professional fishing?! My wedding was postponed from when my (current) wife wanted it because neither myself nor any of my family would have attended during deer season. A tournament, much less the Championship would be even more important.
Work with Wild Life Forever intead of fighting them.

[mwcer]

RECIEVED MY LETTER FROM THE MWC YESTERDAY, THEY SAID THE CHAMPION IN OCT WILL HAVE A MUCH BIGGER PURCE OK WHAT'S THE PURCE OR I YOU GOING TO KEEP IT FROM US TILL OCTOBER. I EXPECT A HONEST ANSWER WHAT IS THE PURSE?????? THE QUALIFIERS FROM THIS YEAR DO THEY FISH THERE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE FALL OF 2002? ANSWER THAT ONE

[Angler]

I hope the staff at MWC will try everything in there power to help some of the anglers that have unchangeable commintiments i dont know how but if someone schudled something very important i really hope there not just out of luck most anglers schuled events around this and now it gets moved hope there are some plans to help the people with plans.One more point its a river tournament where flooding can be a problems there should have already been a back up date just in case this happened say a year in advance say if the river floods the back up date will be on such date poor planning

[The_Walleye_1]

hi everyone,
I just mainly want to know one thing, and that is wether the dubuque torney is still on or not. I am fishing it and i want to know wether we should leave to go prefishing or not. I want to know all of this since i don't know wether it is going to be run or not. So please if anyone knows wether the torney is going to be held or not, please reply to this message. Thank you very much!!!!!!

[Barb]

If you look back at Posts #11 and #21 it sounds like they will be making the call on Monday (tomorrow).

[Barb]

If you look back at Posts #11 and #21 it sounds like they will be making the call on Monday (tomorrow).

[DonS]

Either leave the date the same or let it be held at another site
that same week. We do have other lives besides fishing for 7 months as we do now. The date was set last year everyone knows
we get high water in the spring, so whats the problem!!!!!!!

[Genio]

Check the StarTribune website for current info about flooding.
Red Wing is already about 3' above flood stage and is expected to be at 19' on Friday. What was '65....22 feet. River is to stay at flood stages for 2 to 3 weeks. Make be that tournament officals are using common sense and safty of their anglers instead of the almighty dollar. Hats of to them.