W.A.T. 2002 Championship Press Release

WALLEYE ANGLERS TRAIL (W.A.T.) SET THE FIELD FOR THE SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP

TREMPEALEAU, WI-33 Walleye Anglers Trail (W.A.T.) teams trekked north to Trempealeu, WI for the 4th tournament of the 2002 Season. This event concludes the qualifying events to set the field for the Season Championship to be held September 28th & 29th, 2002 in Bellevue, IA. The top 20 teams earn their way to the Season Championship event. The teams fished the Mississippi River for a 2-day 2-man tournament, September 14th & 15th.

33 teams launched Saturday and Sunday morning from the Lock & Dam boat ramp. Cloudy skies with an occasional shower greeted the participants. The river condition which was high due to recent rains north, contributed to a slow bite. The day 1 leader was the team of Galen Bremmer, Avoca, WI and Tim Watson, Blue River, WI who brought in 15.69 lbs. Galen Bremmer was fishing solo as his partner was on a hunting trip.

The team of Tom Millenkamp, Dyersville, IA and Gerry Oberbroeckling, Holy Cross, IA brought in 24.28 lbs. to claim 1st place and the cash payout of $1335.00.

Galen Bremmer fishing solo held on for second place.

Big Fish of the tournament was brought in by the team of Tom Millenkamp, Dyersville, IA & Gerry Oberbroeckling, Holy Cross, IA, on Sunday, a walleye weighing 7.15 lbs. for $155.00.

Complete list of prizewinners:
1st Place: 24.28 lbs.-Tom Millenkamp, Dyersville, IA / Gerry Oberbroeckling, Holy Cross, IA -$1335.00

2nd Place: 21.99 lbs.-Galen Bremmer, Avoca, WI / Tim Watson, Blue River, WI -$950.00

3rd Place: 21.88 lbs.-Marty Stuefen, Cedar Rapids, IA / Mickey Stuefen, Cedar Rapids, IA -$570.00

4th Place: 16.45 lbs.-Randy Aird, Dubuque, IA / John Marshall, Dubuque, IA -$340.00

5th Place: 15.92 lbs.-Maury Schmerbach, Dubuque, IA / Mike Glynn, Dubuque, IA -$270.00

6th Place: 15.48 lbs.- Mark Brye, Viraqua, WI / Tom Brye, Westby, WI -$190.00

7th Place: 15.41 lbs.- Kevin Withey, Lacrosse, WI / Patrick Jensen, Stoddard, WI -$140.00

Big Fish Awards:
Saturday 1st Big Fish-Galen Bremmer, Avoca, WI / Tim Watson, Blue River, WI - 6.36 lbs. for $155.00

Saturday 2nd Big Fish-Troy Patterson, Trempealeau, WI / Dale Radcliffe, Onalaska, WI - 4.09 lbs. for $105.00

Sunday 1st Big Fish-Tom Millenkamp, Dyersville, IA / Gerry Oberbroeckling, Holy Cross, IA - 7.15 lbs. for $155.00

Sunday 2nd Big Fish-Mark Brye, Viraqua, WI / Tom Brye, Westby, WI - 5.18 lbs. for $105.00

According to Executive Tournament Director Harry Miller Jr. and Assistant Tournament Director Robert Schmerbach, all participants displayed excellent sportsmanship and camaraderie even though the pressure was on to catch fish to make the Season Championship. All fish were promptly returned after being weighed at the scale. The W.A.T. is extremely proud of are fisherman and their ability to return over 99% of the fish caught back to the water.

The Walleye Anglers Trail and the top 20 teams now head to Bellevue, IA for the Season Championship on September 28th & 29th, 2002. The Bellevue event will determine top 15 teams that will earn invitations to fish in the 2003 Cabela's National Team Walleye Championship to be held in the spring of 2003.

The Walleye Anglers Trail is sponsored by: The Dubuque Advertiser, Miller Electric Supply Inc., Dubuque Electric Motor, Inc., Burnett-Thiel Ford.

All Walleye Anglers Trail events are qualifying events for the Cabela's National Team Walleye Championship event. Membership is required to fish in Walleye Angler's Trail events

Membership is $10.00 per person per year. Membership and Tournament information can be obtained by writing to Walleye Angler's Trail at P.O. Box 145, Bellevue, IA 52031 or e-mail at rwalleye5@aol.com.