For Immediate Release
Iowa Regional Teams Head South to Lake Rathbun
By Steve Weisman
Gander Mountain GNWC Publicity Director
The crucial third tournament of the Iowa Region of the Gander Mountain
Grand National Walleye Cup (GNWC) takes place at Lake Rathbun on Sunday, May
23.
Gander Mountain GNWC Executive Director Bernie Barringer sees the
Rathbun tournament as a positioning qualifier. “We have lots of teams still
in the hunt for a berth in the Iowa Regional Championship in September on
Big Spirit Lake. Rathbun is crucial for those teams hoping to make it in.”
Lake Rathbun, a huge reservoir in southern Iowa, is the second largest
lake in the Hawkeye state. Known for its crappie population, Lake Rathbun is
also home to an excellent walleye population. “More and more people are
learning the secrets of Rathbun’s walleyes. This tournament will definitely
be a challenge for our teams, especially those coming from the northern part
of the state. However, that’s the great thing about fishing a circuit like
the GNWC. Consistency through four tournaments is what it takes to make the
championship.”
Lake Rathbun is home to large numbers of walleyes and some real
whoppers. The Iowa DNR has found state record-size fish swimming in the lake
during their netting surveys. And 2004 has so far been one of the best May
bites that Rathbun has seen, with anglers reporting great catches of
walleyes all spring.
Heading into the Rathbun tournament, the team of Randy Mumm and Jim
Juhlin from Clear Lake are a perfect two for two! Will they make it three
for three? “It would be quite a feat!” acknowledged Barringer. “They’ve been
outstanding so far. It will be interesting to see what happens.”
Openings still exist for the Lake Rathbun qualifier and Barringer
encourages interested anglers to contact him at 1-800-890-FISH (3474), or
email the GNWC at [email protected]. The tournament director will have the
trailer at Honey Creek State Park from 6-8 p.m. the evening before the
tournament to take late entries and answer questions.
Teams are to meet at Honey Creek State Park between 6-6:30 the morning
of the tournament for registration and mandatory boat check. Host bait shop
J & K Lighthouse.
Take-off is at 7 a.m. with the weigh-in commencing at 3 p.m. sharp. “We
hope a lot of people turn out for the weigh-in. Honey Creek is a great place
to have the weigh-in. It’s a great place for people to learn what
presentations worked. I know that many times we will have people at the
weigh-in who learn a technique and then head out to try their luck,” added
Barringer.
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 UpNorthOutdoors.com. Iowa Regional sponsors
include Carlson-Sanderson Real Estate, Motor Inn, Inc., and Triggs Bay
Resort.