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Father-son Team Take Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup Opener at Winneconne

By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
The father-son team of Russell and Steve Wagner from Pewaukee, WI took home both the $1200 first place check and the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award at the Gander Mountain Grand National Walleye Cup's opening tournament of the Wisconsin Region held on Winneconne's Lake Winnebago chain and the Wolf River on Sunday, April 18.
     The Wagners, with a winning weight of 10.94 pounds, were the only ones to bring a six-fish limit to the scales. They found success by drifting the rocky areas of the Wolf River, vertically jigging leadheads. Russ noted, "We lost a lot of jigs in the rocks, so we're definitely going to need to restock." They both agreed, however, that losing a few jigs was a small price to pay for taking the Winneconne title and the Berkley Trilene Big Fish Award of $400 in Berkley products. Their big fish weighed 4.41 pounds.
     Taking second place and cashing a check for $600 was the team of Dale Helgeson from Elkhorn, WI and Michael Sigl from Black Creek, WI with four fish weighing 6.25 pounds. They found that the strong south winds hampered them as they trolled baby Thundersticks to catch their four walleyes.
     Third place and a check for $500 went to Doug Sasse from Winneconne, WI and Jeff Graves from Oshkosh, WI with four fish weighing 5.72 pounds. They caught their fish working Wolf River rigs and minnows upstream against the current.
     The "Yo So Close" award of a Yo Net folding net valued at $80 went to the three teams that placed just out of the money. They include Brad Davis from Jackson, WI and Joe Palmer from Manitowoc, WI in 8th place; Robert Blosser from Lodi, WI and Gary Tomlinson from Poynette, WI in 9th place; Dan Gosenheimer from Wild Rose, WI and Adam Hackbarth from Oshkosh, WI in 10th place.
     Erik Potter from Fort Atkinson, WI and George Meris from Beloit, WI were the winners of the Gander Mountain "Need More Stuff" drawing of $200 for a Gander Mountain Shopping Spree.
     According to Gander Mountain GNWC Tournament Director Dean Higgins, the bite was tough. "The wind really hampered the teams, so it was quite an achievement for the Wagners to put together a six-fish limit the way they did. In spite of the wind, this is a great fishery, and the teams showed good sportsmanship throughout the tournament." Higgins went on to say, "The volunteer help was outstanding. Doug and his crew of volunteers really helped make everything go smoothly."
The Wisconsin teams are back in action on Sunday, May 16 at Petenwell.
     Anglers interested in signing up for a future qualifier or simply wanting more information on the GNWC circuit can call 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or they can email the GNWC at info@walleyecup.com.
Title Sponsor for the GNWC is Gander Mountain with other major national sponsors including Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, the Sportsman Channel, Berkley, Aqua Innovations, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, VIB"E" Lure Company, TowTector Shield and UpNorth Outdoors.com.

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