2001 PWT Championship
September 13 - 15

PWT Championship Moves Forward; Gofron Leads after Day 1

Bismarck, North Dakota....Mike Gofron, Antioch, IL, captured the day one lead of the Dodge/Mercury Championship with 8.88 pounds. The 45 “Best-of-the-Best” walleye anglers on the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) tour have been in North Dakota for a week, all seeking the solution for the $100,000 first prize.

The Championship continues Friday and Saturday, with great Missouri River fishing, followed by exciting ceremonies inside the Bismarck Civic Center. Pro anglers drive through the Civic Center to the cheers of their walleye fans. Second and third place pros were Tom Backer, Fargo, ND, 8.66 pounds and Jim Peterson, Elk River, MN, 8.51 pounds. Weights were close in the 5-fish competition. Only one walleye could be over 18 inches. Most anglers weighed limits.

Prior to the weigh-in festivities, PWT emcee Jim O’Rourke read the following message,

“The events of these past days have shocked and saddened all Americans. The professional anglers in this Championship tournament, the staff of In-Fisherman, the sponsors, the participants in the sportshow, the Civic Center support staff, the Touchstone Energy media team, all of our families, indeed every person in North Dakota and the rest of this country have been profoundly affected by this tragedy. Yet our American spirit continues to prevail.

“President George Bush has urged all Americans to carry on. North Dakota Governor John Hoeven in conjunction with the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce, asked the Folk Fest, a long standing celebration here in Bismarck, and the Professional Walleye Trail Championship, an integral part of Folk Fest weekend for the past few years, move forward as planned. And we are doing that in Bismarck for the Championship. As each pro fisherman enters the arena he will proudly display the American flag in honor of the victims and their families and in the spirit of renewed patriotism.

“Let’s pull together as a community and remember those who died this week, and reflect on our future as we give each of these contestants a rousing North Dakota welcome.”

Those who visited the pros and Sportshow (free to all) said, “What a great show, we’ll be back.” The first 500 youngsters in the Sportshow Exhibit Hall received free fishing tackle packs today and 500 will get free Plano tackle boxes tomorrow, and 500 Silstar rods and reels on Saturday.

Bass Pro Shops big fish today was 2.42 pounds caught by Norb Wallock, Conover, WI. The largest walleye pays $1,000. All cash and prizes (nearly $250,000), will be paid Saturday.

The PWT is part of PRIMEDIA, Inc., America’s leading producer of targeted media headquartered in New York City. PWT sponsors include: Aqua Vu, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley PowerBait, Berkley Trilene, Blue Fox Tackle, Carhartt, Coleman, Cotton Cordell, Daiichi hooks, Dee Zee, Dodge truck, Eagle Claw, Eagle Trailers, Evercel, Flambeau, Guest chargers, IMCO Boat Buckles Lindy Little Joe, Lowrance Electronics, Lund Boats, Mack’s Lure, Marinco, Mercury Outboards, MinnKota, Rapala Lures, Northland Tackle, Oceanwave sunglasses, Pinnacle rods and reels, Plano, RAM, Raytheon Marine, Real Tree, Shimano rods, Storm Lures, T-H Marine, Yamaha all terrain vehicles, Bismarck/Mandan Convention & Visitors Bureau (800-767-3555) and North Dakota Tourism (800-HELLOND).