FLW Walleye League pros faced Rough waters
Seas were forecast at 2-5, with winds to 20 knots by late afternoon. It didn't look promising with a severe cold front pushing through and already muddied waters.
“We definitely had some concerns,” said tournament director Kevin Hunt shortly after the 7 a.m. launch at West Harbor ramp on Catawba Island. Forecasts called for winds of up to twenty knots and waves 1-3 feet. “No big deal,” Hunt said confidently after the last of 71 boats checked out and headed onto the lake. “They’re used to it on Lake Erie,” he said. “No worries!”
The top two boats tied for first with a total weight of 16 pounds and 4 ounces each. Academic Angler Fishing Team member, Carter Tillage of Rochester Hills, MI and David Leach of Linwood, MI fished together landing five walleye. Tillage said the rough, muddy water was difficult to fish in, “But we fished with all colors of jigs near Niagara Reef and got five.” Smiling, Tillage said that although he’s fished walleye tournaments on Lake Erie in the past, “this is the only time I won first place.”
Leach competed Saturday against many anglers who have been fishing longer than he’s been alive. Leach is a senior at Pinconning High School in Linwood, Mich.
Although he qualified for this week’s Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, with total prizes in excess of $400,000, he said he won’t be able to compete. Leach said instead, he’s competing in a state building trades competition in Michigan. “My winning just goes to prove that anybody can do it,” Leach said. His wish is for more people to get involved in fishing — especially kids. “Just to keep the tradition going,” said Leach who’s been fishing since he was two. When asked what he would do with his $3727 prize money he didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Keep on fishing,” he declared.
Dave Hall of Chesterland, Ohio and Michael Stankiewicz of Canton, Mich. tied Leach and Tillage for the top spot with 16 pounds and 4 ounces of walleye in just three fish.
