2010 Cabela's Regional Walleye Championship
Lake McConaughy, Ogallala, NE
Photo Galleries from Cabela's Regional
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We have a short teaser Video of the 2010 Cabela’s Regional Walleye Championship. |
ROBBY ROLAND AND SCOTT SUNDSTROM WIN FIRST EVER CABELA”S REGIONAL WALLEYE CHAMPIONSHIP
Ogallala, NE, - Robby Roland and Scott Sundstrom outlasted the fierce competition and the high water challenges at Lake McConaughy to claim top honors and $10,000 at the first ever Cabela's 2010 Regional Walleye Championship. Roland and Sundstrom of North Platte, NE brought 7 Walleyes weighing 39.48 lbs. to the scale during the two-day event, held July 31, and August 1 at “BIG MAC”. The champs were also awarded customized trophies for their crowning achievement.
The championship event featured the top 25 point accumulating teams from the Colorado Walleye Association, Kansas Walleye Association, Nebraska Walleye Trail, and the Wyoming Walleye Stampede circuits in 2010. The competition was intense, and there were a number of heavy baskets, with 15 teams weighing 15 pounds or more on day one. Roland and Sundstrom were in 9th place after Day 1 with 2 fish for 17.16 lbs. and weighed an impressive 23.02 lbs for 4 fish on Day 2 to take home the title. Their total 2 day weight of 39.48 lbs. was more than 6 pounds better than their closest competitor. When winners were asked about the win and being crowned the 2010 Cabela’s Regional Walleye Champions, Sundstrom and Roland commented: “It feels great coming out on top fishing against the top notch fisherman from the 4 states. We have won tournaments before, but this is by far the best and most prestigious tournament we have ever one. We would like to thank our families for all of their support and all of the associations for making this event happen. It was a very cool deal. Thanks to everyone who made this event possible. We caught all of our fish trolling suspended over the trees in 35-40 foot of water. We were not catching numbers of fish each day, but the ones we were catching were the good ones.”
It was a tight battle for the silver as 8 teams weighed weights between 30 and 33 pounds. Second place finishers, Bill and Valerie Porter of Cheyenne, WY weighed 10 fish totaling 33.14 lbs., winning $5,000. Bill Porter commented on the first Cabela’s Regional Walleye Championship; “It was unbelievable getting 4 states together for a Championship. It was a true Championship and a very professional event to fish. We were fishing the trees as far back as possible to catch our fish. We were pitching jigs in 4-8 feet of water with a jig and a full crawler.”
Third place went to James Miller and Jason Cooper from Hershey, NE and Sutherland, NE. Their 7 fish weighed 32.82 lbs. They were trolling over the top of trees in 30 foot of water to catch their fish. Cooper commented after the tournament: “It was great to fish this event with 25 of the top fisherman from 4 states. It was a lot of fun even though the fishing was not what it usually is for Big Mac. I hope that it continues to grow and we get to know even more of the teams from the other states. It was a great time.”
Anglers used a variety of presentations to catch fish including jig fishing, pulling crank-baits, jigging spoons, spinner-baits, and live bait rigging to catch their fish. The fishing was a tough as anyone on the lake can remember, as the water is 35 feet higher than a year ago. Teams were still able to manage some good weights, and there were a lot of trophy fish caught.
Fourth Place was Rick and Mary Walter from Casper, WY they weighed 6 fish for 32.15. Fifth Place was William and John Muller from Firestone, Co and Hudson, CO with 4 fish for 31.86. Sixth Place with 6 fish for 31.14 was Ev Tarrell and Jeff Mekelburg from Sidney, NE and Fleming, CO. Finishing in seventh was Dan Stringer and Curtis McCormick from Littleton, CO and Lewellen, NE. Eighth Place with 4 fish for 30.88 pounds was Bob Schafer and Justin Crump from Pueblo West, CO. Finishing Ninth Place with 7 fish for 29.90 was the team of Steve Stadelmaier and Des Brophy from Ft. Collins, CO and Wray, CO. Day one leaders and finishing in tenth Place was Jeff Tetliz and Jared McMurtry from North Platte, NE with 26.76 pounds. They had an impressive day 1 weight and were not able to hang on. Telitz commented; “ It was a great ran tournament to fish. We caught a lot of fish the first morning and had our five by 10:00. We were casting spine-baits and pitching jigs in around 10 foot of water on a South rock point. On day 2 we were not able to fish our spot they way we wanted and had to resort to plan B, and only managed 2 fish.” The top 10 anglers shared $24,000 in Prize money.
Finishing 11th trough 15th place and receiving the just out of the money awards were; 11th Place- “Oxygenator Award” -Monte Orth and Lonnie Orth, 12th Place- “Avery Outdoors Award”- Brian Regelin and Brett Vinzant, 13th Place- “Digger Anchor Award”-Greg Mekelburg and Rob Martinson, 14th Place- “Navionics Award”-Troy Glover and Rod Lee, 15th Place- Eric Coe and Judi Coe- “Minn Kota Award”.
The team that advanced the most from Day 1 to Day 2 was the team of Gayle Anderson and Andy Moberly. They received the “Smooths Moves Award” Moberly and Anderson also received the “Berkley Big Fish Award” for the biggest walleye of the tournament a 12.02 pound walleye. They also received $680.00 for the day 2 big fish. Day 2 second big fish and $210.00 goes to Eric and Judy Coe for their 11.10 pound walleye. Day 1 big fish and $680.00 went to Troy Glover and Rod Lee for their 10.24 pound fish. Ev Terrell and Jeff Mekelburg received $210.00 for the second big fish on Day 1 with a 10.22 pound walleye.
After the Day 1 weigh-ins the Cabela’s Regional Walleye Championship crew put on a free kids fishing clinic organized by Tournament organizer Steve Isom. Brian Woodward with the North Platte Walleyes Unlimited donated the fishing poles and tackle boxes for the kids. Eagle Claw, Allied Insurance, and Pepsi were also a big help in sponsoring this great event for the kids. Nearly 100 kids showed up to take part in the clinic and were taught how to tie knots, use slip bobbers, cast and fish ID. Thanks to all of the anglers who helped with the event.
A big thanks to the sponsors: Cabela’s, Pepsi, Minnkota, Johnson Outdoors, Hunninbird, Walleye Central, Hibby Bleeder Chains, Tomkat’s, Oxygenator, Avery Outdoors, Digger Anchor, Navionics, Berkley, and Smooth Moves Seat Mounts.
A big thanks to tournament Director Darrell Morrow and Tim and Diane Hoffman and all of Darrell’s staff for running a great event. Also, a huge thanks to Tournament organizers, Steve Isom and Ted Robinson for putting this event together, and State Reps, Brian Woodward, Ted Webster, and Barry and Tami Cundliff for all of their help. A big thanks also to Shawna Cooper for taking all of the great photos, and everyone else who made this event possible.
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A Big Thanks to North Platte Walleyes Unlimited for donating the fishing poles for the kids! |
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A Big Thanks to Eagle Claw for providing slip-bobbers and bobber-stops for the kids! |
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We are proud to announce that the team that catches the big fish of the tournament will win the “BERKLEY BIG FISH AWARD” Two Berkley tackle bags full of Berkley Gear! Thanks Berkley! |
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We are proud to announce that the 11th place team will receive the “Oxygenator Award” for their finish. The 11th place team will receive 2 portable oxygenators! Anglers, also make sure you pick up your U2 Formula livewell treatment product to use during the tournament to keep your fish alive. IT WORKS!!!! Stop at Cabela’s on the way or contact Oxygenator by clicking on the logo to the left. Thanks Oxygenator! |
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We are proud to announce that the 12th place team will receive the “Avery Outdoors Award.” The 12th place team will receive 2 Avery blind bags full of Avery gear for their finish. Thanks to Avery Outdoors for their sponsorship and making great products for us to use! |
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We are proud to announce that the 13th place team will receive the “Digger Anchor Award.” The 13th place team will receive 2 Digger Anchors for their finish. Thanks Digger Anchor for your sponsorship and making a great anchor! |
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We are proud to announce that the 14th place team will receive the “Navionics Award” for their finish. The 14th place team will receive 2 certificates, each redeemable for a Navionics chip of their choice! We love those maps! Thanks Navionics! |
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We are proud to announce that the 15th place team will |
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A BIG thanks to PEPSI for donating the pop and water for the rules meeting and kids clinic! Thanks PEPSI! |
***Anglers fishing the Cabela’s Regional Walleye Championship please make sure you clean and dry your boat before you get on the water at Big Mac. Help keep Aquatic Invasive Species out of the Lake!
- Inspect all exposed surfaces vehicle, trailer, anchor, dock lines, live wells, bilge, motor, hull, trailer axle and rollers). Small mussels feel like sandpaper and are invisible to the eye.
- Wash the hull of each watercraft thoroughly (steam clean if possible).
- Remove all debris, plant and animal material.
- Drain all water and dry all areas.
- Drain and dry the lower outboard unit.
- Clean and dry all live-wells.
- Empty and dry any buckets.
- Dispose of all bait in the trash.
- Wait five days and keep watercraft dry between launches into different fresh waters.
*The 2010 Cabela’s Regional Walleye Championship will be televised! Because this event is going to be televised, we ask that anglers wear a collared shirt and dress professionally during the rules meeting, weigh-ins, and fishing hours. Check out Outdoorsmen Adventures with Gary Howey for information. www.outdoorsmenadventures.com
This is a Qualifying tournament between the following 4 organizations:
- Colorado Walleye Association
- Kansas Walleye Association
- Nebraska Walleye Trail
- Wyoming Walleye Stampede
How to qualify: Teams that finish in the top 25 in each circuit in 2010 will qualify to fish the 2010 Regional Championship tournament.
Location: Lake McConaughy- Ogallala, NE
Date: 2 Day tournament-- Saturday July 31st and Sunday August 1st, 2010.
Payouts: Minimum Total Payout- (Based on a full field of 100 boats) 120% of entry fees- $24,000.00 $10,000.00 first place payout
Entry Fee: $200.00 per 2 person team
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Walleye Central will have their live Leader Board covering this event!
- There will be hundreds of dollars in door prizes given out at the Championship rules meeting.
The 2010 Cabela's Regional Walleye Championship will offer a “Smooth Moves” awarded to the team that moves up the most places from Day 1 to Day 2! The team which moves up the most places from Day 1 to Day 2 will get a “Smooth Moves” award and receive a Smooth Moves suspension system and all mounting hardware worth approximately $400. A big thanks to the CWA and Smooth Moves for this added award!
Tournament Sponsors:
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Additional Regional Walleye Tournament Sponsors:
More information and links to come on these great sponsors. |