Houghton, Michigan....In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail pro angler Scott Glorvigen maintained his lead position at the Mercury Championship. On Saturday, Sept. 18, he landed a PWT limit of four walleyes for 10 pounds, and a combined two-day weight of 24.34 pounds.
The Grand Rapids, Minn. pro fished slowly and played each tick on his nightcrawler as a fish. The walleyes were still “off-bite” following a severe cold front two days ago. However, several anglers began piecing together a game-plan that tightened the race. Pro Gary Parsons, Glidden, Wis., the only two-time PWT Angler of the Year, moved into second place, about two and one-half pounds back.
Pro Brad Davis, Jackson, Wis., and Jim Muzynoski, Bozeman, Mont., hold third and fourth places, with 18 pounds each. Past Championship winner Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, Wis., is in fifth with 17.23 pounds. The pros entered the Michigan Tech MacInnes Ice Arena to the cheers of area walleye fans. “The arena should be rockin’ on Sunday afternoon,” said PWT executive director Jim Kalkofen. “In addition to a great show, the first 1,000 youngsters will receive a free Shakespeare spinning or spincast rod and reel.” The show begins at 4 p.m.
The Boat and Sport Show in the adjacent Gates Tennis Center (also free to the public) opens at 10 a.m. Sunday. A wide array of fishing gear and boats will be on display and company reps will be on hand.
Fishing the Keweenaw Waterway and Portage and Torch Lakes had the 52 competitors spread far and wide. They fished for a daily four-fish limit, with a 15-inch minimum. The winner will net a $110,000 prize, and all qualifiers earn at least $2,000.
Big fish of the day was claimed by pro Rick Olson, Mina, SD, with a 5.88 pound walleye, the largest of the Mercury Championship.
The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America's leading producer of targeted media. PWT sponsors include: Mercury Marine, Lund, Berkley Gulp!, The Outdoor Channel, Trilene, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Mr. Clean, PowerBait, Lowrance, MinnKota, Frenzy, Gander Mountain, Blue Fox, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, Coleman, Storm, Boat Buckle, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, Kwik Pfyt, Beckman, Rejuvenade, E-Z Loader, Raymarine, Rapala, Matzuo, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Drift Control, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net. Copper Country Ford, Moyle Construction, MacInnes Ice Arena and MTU Staff, Best Western Franklin Square Inn & Martineau & Morris Contracting & Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Burreau.
