2001 PWT St. Mary's River
July 18 - 20

  Minnesota Pro Pete Harsh Holds Lead With one Day of Fishing at Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan . . .”It seemed like a walleye day, only the walleyes didn’t know it,” was a common lament on the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) stage today. Fishing the second day of the Mercury/Trilene Northeast Pro-Am on the St. Mary’s River proved tough for many anglers.

However, day one leader Pete Harsh, Sauk Centre, MN, a 2-time PWT winner, landed 11.45 pounds today, July 19, to maintain the lead with a total of 35.51 pounds. Harsh is the only pro driving a 175-horsepower Mercury with a tiller handle. “Precise boat control is critical where I’m fishing,” he said. With hydraulic steering and trim, he easily powers to his spot, then positions the boat with the big outboard.

In second, only a pound back is pro Joe Lundquist, Maple Grove, MN, with 34.48 pounds. PWT Super Pro winner Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI holds down third place with 30.40 pounds. After tomorrow’s weigh-in, nearly $230,000 will be awarded. The first place pro will win $50,000.

One of the year-long contests (six PWT tournaments) is for In-Fisherman Angler of the Year, a special $22,000 award which includes a Mercury outboard. Pro Gary Gray, Oshkosh, WI leads the race, but several pros are within 20 pounds. Dee Zee Eastern pro Nick Homayed, Dearborn Heights, MI leads the three tournament division which includes the ongoing event in Sault Ste. Marie.

The PWT pro-am format matches amateurs with professionals each day. The two anglers fish for the PWT limit of six walleyes, using the pro’s tackle, boat and gear. They work closely together and the boat weight counts for each angler. Leading the amateur field is Jason Kerr, Grand Blanc, MI. The top 30 amateurs collect prizes, with first place a 17-foot Lund boat with a Mercury outboard on an Eagle trailer. It is valued at $12,500.

Touring rookie pro Mike McMaken, Cedarville, MI, who calls the St. Mary’s River his “home water,” landed the largest walleye of the day and the tournament so far. His 8.87 pound walleye earned him $1,650, in the Bass Pro Shops big fish daily contest. Pro Rick LaCourse, Oregon, Ohio, won $1,000 for a 6.04-pounder. Pro John Hohense, Iron River, MI, weighed a 5.42 pound walleye for $875, and pro Norb Wallock, Conover, WI netted $775 for a 5.01-pounder. More than 90 percent of the walleyes have been released.

The third and final day weigh-in festivities start Friday at 3 p.m. at Aune Osborn Park in Sault Ste. Marie. Pros reveal where and how they caught their fish, which steers local anglers in the right direction.

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 and the Sault Convention & Visitors Bureau: 800-647-2858.