Day 2 Press Release 


PWT Pros Rescue Capsized 
Boaters on Storm-Shortened Day

Port Clinton, Ohio...”As soon as I saw the flare, I got on the radio,” said In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) pro John Weston, Syracuse, NY. And immediately, several pros pulled their lines and powered to the capsized craft. They fished out four boaters. 

Joining Weston in the rescue were pros Mike Herrick, St. Louis Park, MN, and Rick Olson, Mina, SD. With 46-degree water temperatures, their prompt action may have saved lives. They were competing in the Bass Pro Shops $225,000 Eastern Pro-Am, the inaugural tournament of the PWT season on Lake Erie.

Anglers headed out under drizzly skies and 10 to 15 mph southeast winds. A thunderstorm cell with strong winds and lightning passed through in mid-morning, and PWT anglers headed to the cover of the Bass Islands. The Coast Guard then ordered all boats off the water. 

Tournament contestants returned to the harbor and released their walleyes, because PWT officials canceled the day. “The PWT fishes the best walleye waters in North America, and safety of all contestants is always our first priority,” said PWT executive director Jim Kalkofen. The PWT has held seven tournaments on Lake Erie and this is the first storm-shortened day.

Weather permitting, the third and final day will be held Friday, with weigh-in ceremonies at Water Works park in downtown Port Clinton starting at 3 p.m. Day one leader pro Norb Wallock, Conover, WI, with a new PWT 5-fish record, 48.48 pounds, leads all anglers into the final competition day. 

From Lake Erie, the PWT tour heads to Pierre, SD and Lake Sharpe. Then, the St. Mary’s River on the Michigan and Ontario border at Sault Ste. Marie will challenge anglers. 

The walleye anglers also test Minnesota and Ontario border waters at Baudette, MN on Lake of the Woods. They also fish Saginaw Bay at Bay City, MI, and sprawling Fort Peck Reservoir near Glasgow, MT. A total of $1,500,000 will be awarded to PWT pro and amateur contestants this season.

PWT sponsors include: Aqua Vu, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley PowerBait, Blue Fox Tackle, Carhartt, Coleman, Cotton Cordell, Daiichi hooks, Dee Zee truck accessories, Dodge trucks, Eagle Claw, Eagle Trailers, Guest chargers, Lindy Little Joe, Lowrance Electronics, Lund Boats, Mack’s Lure, Marinco, Mercury Outboards, Master Lock, MinnKota, Rapala Lures, Northland Tackle, Oceanwave sunglasses, Pinnacle rods and reels, Plano, Raytheon Marine, Shimano rods, Storm Lures, Stren fishing lines, T-H Marine, Energizer batteries, Veryfine, the official beverage of the PWT and the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau, (800-441-1271).

Courtesy of the In-Fisherman