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| Scholastic Sports & RecWednesday, March 26, 2008 8:14 PM CDT |
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Hook, line & sinker: Walleye event on Illinois could be at its best, worst
Anglers competing in the Masters Walleye Circuit event this weekend on the Illinois River could be in for a treat — or for punishment. The tournament could be the best of times or the worst of times. Bill Guerrini is longtime executive director of the Spring Valley Walleye Club, which hosts the event. John Balla is a top walleye pro who has fished the event for several years, and both agree the Illinois River sauger fishery, which rates among the best in North America, might be primed to produce huge fish. But Mother Nature could step in at the last moment as she did last year and lay waste to the river. Rain started falling on the Wednesday before the Saturday start of the two-day event in 2007. For the first time in 20 years, the final day of the annual tournament was canceled when the rain-swollen river threatened to flood the tournament headquarters at Barto Landing in Spring Valley. The result was only six fish were caught on day one as boats were forced to dodge debris, including refrigerators that had washed downstream, and the second day was canceled. Instead of the normal $30,000 first-place payout, the prize money was divided between the teams with fish. As a result, top prize was more than $57,000. “It won’t take much rain to put it back up in the ugly area,” Guerrini said. “We live on pins and needles this time of year.” But Guerrini and Balla said the sauger caught during the practice days preceding the rain were the best they’d seen in years. “We were into some of the best fishing we’d seen in 20 years,” Guerrini said. “There were nice-sized fish. People were catching big fish in quantities, and they weren’t concentrated in just one area. They were spread out from Utica to Hennepin.” “Fish were huge,” Balla added. “And, because of the rain, they weren’t touched last year.” Problem is the Illinois Water Survey says the ground is saturated. What rain falls likely will run off into the river, and not much will be needed to raise the waterway up to its banks. That fear of a repeat of last year’s nightmare could be why the field of 220 teams hasn’t filled for the first time for years. “Some of the guys were first-timers. You come down to a fishery you’ve heard is a great body of water and then have the debris we did, I’m sure that has a lot to do it with it,” Guerrini said. “It all it goes back to the good graces of Mother Nature. You have to start thinking positive thoughts again.” In past years, organizers were often forced to hold lotteries to decide which of 400 single-event entries would get a berth after the 100 or so MWC teams that fish the entire circuit got first dibs. Odds of local teams getting in were often 4-to-1 against. High gasoline prices are another explanation, Guerrini said. Other professional walleye circuits also are seeing a decline in participation, including the FWL Walleye Tour, which arrives on the Illinois River the week after the MWC event. Still, Guerrini thinks people will go fishing despite the added costs. “It’s steep, but if it’s your hobby, you’re going to pay it,” he said. Tournament hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. with weigh-ins starting about 2 p.m. each day. Parking is not allowed at Barto Landing. Spectators can park and catch a shuttle at Hall High School or park uptown and walk. Teams will weigh five sauger or walleyes a day. Each must be at least 14 inches long, about 2 pounds. But expect the winners to show up at the scales with 30 pounds or more over the two days if conditions stay prime. First place is $30,900. The MWC pays down to 35th place. Total prize money is about $123,000. Fly fishing clinic Fishing guides Duane Serck and Paul Center will host a free fly-fishing clinic for IDNR at the Lincoln Leisure Center, 1206 S. Lee St., Bloomington. The clinic will be from 5:45 to 8:30 p.m. on April 7 and April 9. Call Herb Dreier at (217) 622-4266 to register. Space is limited to 12 people. All participants must be at least 13 years old. Tournament notes The Christy Massey Memorial Bass Tournament will be at Clinton Lake on April 5. Entry fee is $150 per two-angler team. Limit is five fish. Call (217) 935-4140 for more details. Scott Richardson is Pantagraph outdoor editor. Contact him at (309) 820-3227 or e-mail srichardson@pantagraph.com E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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