Event #2 -The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge

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Event #2 for the 2009 season is set and is sure to be the most interesting event to date. Today live on KCCR Radio in Pierre SD the Pierre Chamber of Commerce drew the challengers name to compete in the May 16th 2009 Fishing Crew Pro Challenge at West Bend on the Missouri River near Pierre SD.

The lucky ticket holder to become the next "Challenger" in The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge is Troy Erickson from Rapid City, SD. As soon as I get a chance to talk with Troy and learn more about him, I will be reporting back here on Walleye Central.

The prostaffers representing The Fishing Crew are Brad Berens and Brian Tordsen of Sioux Falls, SD. These 2 diverse tournament fisherman will show their skills on Brad's home water. Brad a native of Huron, SD has spent many, many hours at West Bend from camping/fishing their as child, to winning local club tournaments, to cashing checks on tournament circuits. Prostaffer Brian Tordsen a proven reservoir fisherman cashing checks in both Pro Team and Pro Am tournaments the last few years brings strength to the team in shallow water techniques and live bait rigging. With a combined knowledge of the river, fish tendencies, and diversity of the techniques these two anglers possess, they will make a very strong team that will be tough to beat.

Now here is where things get interesting! Troy Erickson our winner of the Challenger position has chosen good friend and The Fishing Crew Prostaffer Doug Iverson to be his partner. Doug brings his 2 - 0 Fishing Crew record to compete against the fellow prostaffers. Doug undefeated as a Pro now competes as a Challenger, making this the most interesting match up to date for The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge. Check back here for updates and visit us at www.thefishingcrew.com

Mike Dorris
www.thefishingcrew.com

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I had the pleasure with speaking Troy Erickson this morning "The Challenger" of The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge May 16th event at West Bend on Lake Sharpe near Pierre, SD. Troy an avid outdoorsman was actually in route to his favorite spring turkey hunt on the prairies of SD, when we spoke. Troy a local business owner in both Pierre and Rapid City SD bought the ticket from friend, hunting/fishing partner, and now The Fishing Crew challenger partner Doug Iverson. Doug approached Troy about buying the ticket and after explaining the concept and charitable reasoning behind The Fishing Crew, there was no way Troy could say no to things he is dear to, fishing, kids, and friends.

Troy formerly an avid tournament fisherman, now more of a fair weather leisure fisherman these days doesn't miss fishing in the high winds, rain, snow and cold that sometimes is demanded by fishing tournaments. Nowadays he enjoys fishing when the weather is nice, scuba diving when he wants and spending time by the river not necessarily on the river when Mother Nature is not so kind.

It has been 3-4 years since Troy has fished a tournament and he is anticipating the competitive aspect The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge brings to the table. Troy has lots of friends that have been on Lake Sharpe the past few weeks and have been telling him of the great catches that they have been enjoying but getting out fishing for Troy has not worked into his schedule as of late.

Troy would like to wish The Fishing Crew the best of luck and encourages people to look into the buy a ticket even if you can't fish the event because of the great cause The Fishing Crew stands for.

Mike Dorris
www.thefishingcrew.com

[Yellowbelly]

Pierre forecast shows highs in the 60's, mostly sunny, and light north winds. Come see us for the weigh-ins at the Pierre Chamber of Commerce, boats arriving at weigh-ins at 5pm Central Time. See you there!

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We promised excitement and an interesting event and we delivered! Each event the Challengers are given the opportunity at 3 optional cheats. The Challengers are only allowed to take advantage of one of the cheats and they must notify Dave Underhill, the event director, of which cheat they will be using sometime during the morning hours of the event. The 3 optional cheats are designed to give the Challengers an advantage over the Prostaffers, the 3 optional cheats are: 1 - a quarter pound of free weight, 2 - phone a friend that can be on the water fishing, 3 - phone the host Dave Underhill and get a report of what and where the Prostaffers are doing.

The Challengers, Troy Erickson and Doug Iverson, being fully aware of the amaizing year class of 17.5 to 18.5 fish in the system knew the results would be super tight, so they decided to take option #1 which is the quarter pound of weight and what a decision that ended up being!

During the weigh-ins, each team weighs 1 fish at a time back and forth from the Prostaffer boat to the Challenger boat, and after each team weighed 3 fish there was a dead tie, down to a 1/100 of a pound. The Prostaffers Brad Berens and Brian Tordsen have 1 fish left to weigh and it is a 19.25 inch fish and the Challengers have 1 fish to weigh and it is a 18 inch fish but they still have their quarter pound to add to their final weight.

After the final weights are in the total weight for the Prostaffers limit of 4 fish is 6.52lbs and the total weight for the Challengers limit of 4 fish plus the extra .25lbs is 6.55lbs.

Troy Erickson and Doug Iverson score the first victory ever for the Challengers and will collect the 1st place check for $2500.00. This victory also keeps Doug Iverson's record perfect at 3-0 in The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge.

More news to come and pictures also to follow, check back often and visit the website www.thefishingcrew.com

Mike Dorris
www.thefishingcrew.com

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Pictures of May 16th West Bend Event.

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More Pictures

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Next Event will be June 19th 2009 out of Spring Creek Resort and Deep Water Marina on Beautiful Lake Oahe. PM me for more information on how to buy a ticket.

Mike Dorris
www.thefishingcrew.com