Minnesota Walleye Trail

[SpringerGuy]

We would like to invite everyone out to "Ernie's on Gull" this Sunday for the 3:00pm weigh-in of the MWT's Gull Lake Qualifier. We have a full field of 75 teams chasing over $10,000.00 in cash and prizes that will be paid out on Sunday. Ernie's on Gull is located on Gull Point.

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Tom Miller
Tournament Director
Minnesota Walleye Trail
www.polebender.com

[Rick]

Hi Tom,
how did the tourney turn out??

[SpringerGuy]

COLLIGNON’S SAIL TO GULL LAKE WIN ON MINNESOTA WALLEYE TRAIL

The third Qualifier of the Minnesota Walleye Trail’s (MWT) 2003 season was held recently on the Gull Lake Chain in the Brainerd area. The event was won by Mark and Chad Collignon, of Rosemount and Farmington, respectively, with 3 walleyes weighing in at 14.25 lbs. for the $2000 first place check. Capturing second place worth $1,250 were the team of Pat Mulroy, of Minneapolis, and Tim Fritz of New Prague, with 3 walleyes tipping the scale at 12.61 lbs.. Despite having 4 walleyes, Jeff White and partner Steve Resch, Jr from New Brighton and Blaine, respectively, would have to settle for the $1,000 third place check with 12.53 lbs. Largest fish honors went to Mulroy and Fritz with a 28 ½” walleye weighing 7.01 lbs. for an extra $500 cash.
The tough bite encountered at Gull Lake usually means slow presentations with live bait tactics, and that’s just what the top three teams did. The walleyes were scattered at different depths throughout the chain of lakes and most fell for leeches or nightcrawlers presented on lindy rigs. Team Collignon found their walleyes at 23’ on a mid lake rock and rubble covered hump while surrounded by sailboats competing in a regatta.
Over $10,000 in cash, trophies, awards, and prizes were up for grabs at this event. Teams fishing all four MWT Qualifiers accumulate points throughout the season according to their place of finish in each tournament. The top 30 touring teams are invited to the MWT State Championship to be held on Lake Bemidji in September. Total payout for the 2003 MWT season will exceed
$50,000. The popular MWT series has been “sold out” since last March.
Sponsors of the Minnesota Walleye Trail in 2003 include Koeps Pro Shop in Nisswa, Warrior Boats, Drift Control Sea Anchors, Reef Runner Fishing Lures, WristSaver Rods, Miller Brewing Co., JB Lures, Whitecaps Splashguards, Phelps Tackle Co., FishingMinnesota.com, Sonny’s Color Printing, J.D.R.C. Rod Builders, The Judge Tournament Rule, Erichsen Marine Canvas, Masters Mortgage of MN and Big Stone Lake Tourism Bureau. For more information call 507-764-2668, or log on to www.polebender.com.

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Tom Miller
Tournament Director
Minnesota Walleye Trail
www.polebender.com