PWT CAN-AM Super Pros Named;
Ready to Face-Off in Ontario Using Only Artificial Lures

The In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail first-ever CAN-AM Super Pro tournament combines the best of two walleye worlds. The top-ranked Canadian and US walleye anglers compete head-to-head in Dryden, Ontario, in August.

Team Captains are John Butts, Canada, and Gary Parsons, United States. These PWT pros and past winners selected their teams recently, and they are listed below. Judging past performance, this will be a very competitive event. The Canadians hail from Calgary to Toronto and have won more than 75 tournaments. The US team of PWT pros claims nine PWT Champions, 12 Angler of the Year winners and 80 percent have won at least one PWT tournament. They hail from nine states.

The CAN-AM will also force the pros to broaden their fishing horizons. This is the first PWT artificials-only walleye tournament. Jigs and rigs commonly fished with live bait will now be festooned with PowerBait, Slurpies and Gulp!

Thousands of walleyes have been caught and PWT tournaments won on artificials; still the majority of the walleye fishing public depends on live bait. PWT pro Bob Propst, Jr., won the 2006 and 2007 Missouri River tournaments in Chamberlain, SD., with jigs and PowerBait.

Casting crank baits (Yo-Zuri, Reef Runner, Frenzy and Rapala) was extremely effective on Wabigoon’s relatively shallow walleyes during the 2007 PWT Super Pro. They could again be a threat to win. Twitch baits and larger swim baits could also play a part. Walleye fishing with bass tactics like Fin-Tech and Northland bass jigs rigged weedless with various plastic offerings may also prove to be the winning edge.

Expect these names to be talked about going into the CAN-AM, and when the winners share their secrets with Gulp! and PowerBait Shaky Shad, Power Minnow, Power Grub and Power Pogy. Northland Mimic Minnow and Minnow Spins and Slurpies have been effective tools for several years, and will be part of most anglers’ arsenals. CAN-AM pros “talk” at sport shows across both countries this winter revitalized the notion that casting spoons and spinnerbaits could prove very deadly.

Team Captain Parsons selected his 25 pros based on four criteria: 1.) performance at Wabigoon last year; 2.) shallow water experts; 3.) scroungers – guys who can catch limits no matter what; 4.) those experienced with catching walleyes on artificials. Team Captain Butts based his process on overall angling ability, ability to fish artificial bait, past angling history on Wabigoon, sportsman ship, ambassadors of fishing and an overall commitment to the sport of professional angling.

Butts said, “Narrowing the pool to 25 was tough. In looking across Canada, I realized there could be 25 from most provinces. I know there are another 25 guys looking in who could compete, and lots more who would do well. But, my guys all expect to win!” Parsons echoed those sentiments and said, “This was one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do. There are many, many more great sticks out there. Everyone on this list is going up north with the full intention of bringing the traveling trophy home to the USA.”

Team Canada Joe Barron, Dryden, Ont. John Butts, Dryden , Ont. (Captain) Mike Cortens, Dryden, Ont. Dave Cryderman, Thunder Bay, Ont. Scott Dingwall, Dryden, Ont. Dan Dolinski, St. Albert, Alberta Terry Ewanchyna, Saskatoon, Sask. Lloyd Gillis, Red Lake, Ont. Jeff Gustafson, Kenora, Ont. Shawn Hannah, Erin, Ont. Sheldon Hatch, Perth, Ont. Doug Hartle, Calgary, Alberta Darren Kennedy, Dryden, Ont. Alex Keszler, Winnipeg, Manitoba Chris Kindraka, Spruce Grove, Alberta Lonnie Lundmark, Dryden, Ont. Dean McDonald, Dryden, Ont. Russ McDonald, Dryden, Ont. Brent Nickle, Dryden, Ont. Jamie Robinson, Wawa, Ont. Ted Stewner, Winnipeg, Manitoba Geoff Stadnyk, Grand Coulee, Sask. Wayne Wagner, Winnipeg, Manitoba Randy Wihlidal, Regina, Sask. Lorne Wood, Red Lake, Ont.

Team USA Tom Backer, Fargo, ND Mark Brumbaugh, Arcanum, Ohio Daryl Christensen, Montello, WI Mark Christianson, Walker, WI Scott Fairbairn, Hager City, WI Mike Gofron, Antioch, IL Perry Good, Brainerd, MN Keith Kavajecz, Kaukauna, WI Tom Kemos, Oconomowoc, WI John Kolinski, Greenville, WI Mark Martin, Twin Lake, MI Pat Neu, Forestville, WI Ernie Olson, Oak Park, MN Rick Olson, Mina, SD Bill Ortiz, Richland Center, WI Chase Parsons, Brillion, WI Gary Parsons, Glidden, WI (Captain) Dan Plautz, Muskego, WI Danny Plautz, Milwaukee, WI Bob Propst, Jr., Bode, Iowa Todd Riley, Amery, WI Bruce Samson, Minnetrista, MN Ron Seelhoff, Burlington, CO Tommy Skarlis, Waukon, Iowa Bill St. Peter, Bay City, MI

The CAN-AM Super Pro dates are Aug. 13-15, with daily weigh-in festivities (free to the public) in the Dryden Arena. Wabigoon and lakes accessible by boat are open. Under the Pro-Am format, each set of partners will be able to weigh five walleyes daily. Amateur partners fish with a different pro each day. Lures will be limited to artificials-only. Pros receive 150 percent cash payback. Every amateur wins merchandise prizes from PWT sponsor partners. Visit www.professionalwalleyetrail.com for CAN-AM details.