Mike McCafferty
05-16-2001, 07:23 PM
A number of you anglers across the midwest know me, but for those who don't let me introduce myself. My name is Mike McCafferty and I am the Director of the new SD WWA Walleye Tournament Trail. I have been a tournament angler, tournament director, outdoor writer, radio show host, guide, seminar speaker, and fishing educator since 1987. I have had a lot of fun fishing, but the best thing about it is the great friends I've made over the years. I began running tournaments in 1996 when I started the TEAM Walleye Circuit in SD which I ran for three years through 1998. I enjoyed it and was successful, but like all things changes do occur. I've noticed a good deal of talk both negative and positive about both the WWA and Team walleye circuits. Often times the negative stuff has gotten nasty. It shouldn't be. If you can't say something good about either circuit don't say nothing at all. I schedule my tournaments around the others so you can fish both circuits if you want to. More power to you if you do. If you want to fish the WWA we'd be glad to have you become part of our family. If not, best of luck in your fishing endeavors. Our next South Dakota WWA Tournament is at Waubay Lake on June 10th. The rules meeting is Friday June 9th at the Getaway in Webster. Feel free to join us. We've had extremely nasty weather for our first two events which has hurt our participation, but the core group of fisherman who have been with us from the start can wet a line with me anytime. In the last week or so there have been inquiries about our last tournament at Gettysburg. If you like fishing in a monsoon you should have been there. Thirteen teams gutted it out, and when everybody came in out of the rain inside West Whitlock Resort Gary McComsey of Winner, SD and Jeff Vollmer of Pierre, SD took first place honors and a check for $560. Second place and $428 went to Jeff Den Herder and Gordy Gunderson of Sioux Falls, SD. Third place and $356 went to Kevin Melengraaf and Lewis Valentz. Ron Hulsebus and Chad Fuller took home $110 for a 4.5 walleye. Great job guys! I know the SD WWA SD circuit will continue to grow, as I hope all walleye circuits grow. The important thing is that we continue to promote and support the sport of walleye fishing that we all enjoy. I welcome any anglers to check out the SD WWA as well as the other WWA regional circuits. Hey, we have a heckuva' lot of fun and the paybacks aren't too shabby. For more information you can e-mail me at walleyemike@nvc.net or call me at 605-622-7151. May your next walleye be the big cahuna!