The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge Championships

Here is the plan.
The Championship will be held at Spring Creek Resort and Deep Water Marina 17 miles North of Pierre SD on Highway 1804. On Saturday August 29th we will kick off the event with all twelve teams having the day to pre-fish. After the day of pre-fishing Spring Creek resort will host a cook out for all the teams at 6pm. This will give all the teams a chance to meet one another and following the cook out we will have the rules meeting. On Sunday August 30th at 7am let the game begin!!! Teams will depart from Spring Creek Resort and Deep Water Marina returning to the same location at 2pm for weigh-ins.

The Fishing Crew can’t wait to see who will put the best weight together and win the trip to Cabo Mexico to fish with Red Rum Charter. I need not remind you this is an all expense paid trip to the best outfitter in Mexico bar none! If you want to see their lay out go to the Red Rum site on our sponsors page.

Well Folks Here are the pairings!!!!

Boat #1

Bob Stalley - Pierre SD, The Fishing Crew Pro Staff
Ken Steiner – Pierre SD, Co-Angler

Bob needs no introductions; he is a true river rat and can compete with anyone. His Partner Ken Steiner has a big network of friends that fish Lake Oahe quite often. Moving to Pierre several years ago, Ken has found himself doing a lot of fishing with several of The Fishing Crew Pro Staffers this last year or so. That could come back to haunt the Pro Staffers!!! As you all know this is a winner take all one day shoot out. I’m sure Bob will be picking Ken’s brain when he needs to. GOOD LUCK, Bob and Ken!

Boat #2

Ryan Weekly – Pierre SD, The Fishing Crew Pro Staff
Gary Van Ash- Pierre SD, Co-Angler

Gary was the alternate back up in the first event, so when Lee Fouler contacted Dave Underhill and said he would not be able to fish in this year’s Championship, we adjusted. Since Gary is the alternate he will be fishing with Ryan in the Championship. Well folks another river rat, Ryan Weekly aka Weeks, hit the jack pot! Let me give you a little in site to why, Gary and Ryan have spent more then a little time in the boat together, in fact they were fishing partners in the past. I look for Gary and Ryan to be very strong contenders.bGOOD LUCK, Ryan and Gary!

Boat #3

Dan Stier – Pierre SD, The Fishing Crew Pro Staff
Jim Hamilton – Sioux Falls SD, Co-Angler

Jim’s participation is thanks to his wife Ann, Ann was the lucky ticket winner of the Spring Creek event and chose her husband to be her partner. (Since Ann and Jim do not own a boat, they took the option of fishing with one of The Fishing Crew Pro Staffers John Green; John used his boat and equipment and guided them for the event.) Hear is another team to watch for. Jim has the fortune of drawing one of the best “STICKS” in the world of fishing. Dan needs no introduction, he has spent his whole life on the water and his record speaks for it self. I know for a fact that Jim is looking forward to spending the day on the water with Dan. I also know Dan is the “intimidator” of the fishing world Like Dale Earn Hart was to NASCAR. Any time he is in the field, look for a little ribbing. GOOD LUCK, Dan and Jim!

Boat #4

Doug Iverson - Pierre SD, The Fishing Crew Pro Staff
Troy Erickson – Rapid City SD, Co-Angler

Troy was the ticket winner from the Pierre Camber drawing on Lake Sharpe. This will be a team to look out for. This is not Doug and Troy’s first time fishing a tournament together. Troy is a very accomplished fisherman and has been partnered up with Doug in tournaments in the past. Doug on the other hand, is the best deep water plug puller I have ever fished with. His fellow Pro Staffers know that if the fish are holding to deep structure Doug will own them. I am only quoting what several of the other contestant have told me. GOOD LUCK, Doug and Troy!

Boat #5

Bryan Gaikowski - Watertown SD, The Fishing Crew Pro Staff
Ann Hamilton – Sioux Falls SD, Co-Angler

Ann qualified from the ticket she purchased for the drawing at the Bitter Lake event. Although it’s been a different summer for our Pro Staffer Bryan becoming a DAD and a good one he will be, Bryan is always a strong contender. Word has it that Bryan and Ann have a pretty serious in boat competition on who will catch the bigger fish and that its self will keep them in the ball game. GOOD LUCK, Brian and Ann!

Boat #6

Brad Berens - Sioux Falls SD, The Fishing Crew Pro Staff
Kevin Hed - Aberdeen SD, Co-Angler

Kevin ticket was drawn at the Dakota Outdoors Show in Huron SD March 22, Kevin Competed against Doug Iverson and Bob Stalley in the Pierre Event. Brad and Kevin are one of the teams that have not spent any time together. That is not always a bad thing! Too many times I’ve seen seasoned teams know to much about their home water and that causes them to run and gun. What I mean by that, is they know about way to many spots they feel they can catch fish on, and when things don’t work out the way they planed it they start running from spot to spot fishing old dreams. I think you could ask anyone of the River Rats and they will agree. Kevin and Brad will not have that problem. Don’t get me wrong! Brad is a very good fisherman and will have a good game plan figured out. Then you put a competitor like Kevin in the boat with him and it’s GAME ON! Kevin Hed is a true competitor when it comes to fishing. He told me in the event when they fished against Iverson and Stalley that he was not fishing against them, he was competing against the fish. What a true statement and that’s why these to will be dangerous. GOOD LUCK, Brad and Kevin!

Boat #7

Brian Tordsen – Sioux Falls SD, The Fishing Crew Pro Staff
Greg Scott – Aberdeen SD, Co-Angler

Greg bought the ticket for his friend Kevin Hed and when his name was drawn, Kevin Choose Greg to be his partner on Lake Sharpe to take on the Pro’s. Here is another team that has no history together. I will say it again; this is not a bad thing. I have spent a lot of time with Brian Tordsen the past couple of years. Here is the thing that separates Brian from the rest of the fishermen, Electronics!!! When it comes to understanding the electronics, Brain is as good as they get. Why could that make the different? It’s just like buying a new house, LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! In August that is the key to being a hero or being zeroed. I truly believe this will help Greg and Brian in this upcoming event. GOOD LUCK, Brian and Greg!

Boat #8

Dennis Schawd and Charles (Chip) Johnson are unable to make the event. Dennis and Chip bought tickets before the Bitter Lake event and placed 2nd in the event. The winning Team did not buy tickets so they were the top finishing team. Dennis has contacted me and informed me that Chip and he will not be able to fish the up coming event due to scheduling problems. The Fishing Crew is sorry to hear they will not be able to compete.

Boat #9

Lee Pulse – Kimble SD
Scott Handle – Kimble SD

Qualified through The South Dakota State Championships by being the top placing team that bought a ticket. No introduction needed for these two fishermen, ff you spent any time fishing in tournaments in South Dakota you know who these two individuals are. Scott and Lee have been fishing tournaments together for a long time and are considered a favorite on any body of water they fish. You can beat you bottom dollar that Lee and Scott will be coming to Spring Creek Resort and Deep Water Marina for one thing, to stick it to the rest of the field! I have fished against these two competitors and don’t get me wrong, they are great guys on and off the water, but when it tournament time they become one with the water and that a fact.
GOOD LUCK, Lee and Scott!

Boat #10

Darren Nelson – Miller SD
Matt Rathjen – Huron SD

These two qualified through SD Team Championships. Here are two fishing Buddies, Darren and Matt that like to fish,(a lot). Are they tournament fishermen? I don’t know. Can they fish? Without a doubt! Are they competitive? YES! Oh yeah lets not forget who Darren Nelson’s Family is! Does West Prairie Resort ring a bell? If not, here is a little bit about the Nelson family. Gary Nelson is the proud father of three of the best fishermen on the river system, Terry, Darren, and Derrick Nelson. Terry, the owner of West Prairie Resort and younger brother Derrick guide walleyes for a living. Darren and his father Gary help them out when ever they have time. If that don’t give you a hand on the pulse of what is going on, I don’t know what would. Gary has taught these boys a little bit about fishing the river. Here is the team that should not have a problem finding fish. With Terry and the rest of the guide force on the water everyday, I think Matt and Darren will have the best net work of fishermen on the water. These two are going be on fish!!! Will they be the right ones? Time will only tell. GOOD LUCK, Darren and Matt!

Boat #11

Pat Donovan – Dupree, SD
John Donovan – Pierre SD

This team Qualified through the Bob Mason Memorial Tournament Held at Spring Creek Resort and Deep Water Marina. Here is a team I know nothing about when it comes fishing. I have only had the pleasure of meeting the Donovan Family in these past season of tournament fishing while I MC’d couple of event they fish in. I have talked with several anglers about this team and still know nothing about them. Here is what I do know. Last weekend I had the pleasure to meet up with them at a cleaning station above Bushes Landing. We talked about the day and how they did and about fishing in general. When the conversation was over and the Donovans drove a way, the only one thing that crossed my mind was “there is a couple men with a passion to fish and help others learn the sport of fishing”. Folks all I can say it if they win the tournament It will be a great pleasure to shoot a show with the two of them in Cabo. GOOD LUCK, John and Pat!

Boat #12

Scott Dressler – Rapid City SD,
Rick Schock – Bismark ND

This team qualified through the SD Team Championships. Well here we go again Scott and Rick, can you say TOUGH? I can, these two fishermen are what you call a team. I spent some time on the water with Scott a few years ago at Devils Lake. For two days I watched Scott dissect that huge body of water and put his game plan together. Guess what? Yep he made the cut to fish the final day and took home a good check! Some of you may not think that is a tough feat, think again, go to Devils Lake and try and cover that inland Ocean, yeah I said Ocean! Devils Lake is the biggest, baddest body of water you will ever try to tame, and both of these fishermen have tamed that water and always have a good showing in the SD river tournaments. I have no doubt in my mind that Scott and Rick will have their game plan dialed in come game day. GOOD LUCK, Scott and Rick!

Boat #13

Willie Gloe – Pierre, SD
Greg Goodman – Pierre, SD

This team qualified through the Bob Mason Memorial Tournament. Team Goodman and Gloe, let me tell a little story about the first time I ran into Willie! I was doing boat checks at the Bob Mason tournament and we were getting down to the last couple boats to be checked and the deadline to buy a ticket for The Fishing Crew Pro Challenge. He said “where have you been, do I still have time to get a ticket for my partner and I?”. I said “yes!” He said “great, here is my money”, and off he went. I tried to stop him because I needed his information to put on the ticket but he just kept heading to the water yelling the information back at me. To make along story short at weigh-in time, Willie and his partner did not win the tournament, but it was meant to be only a few people took the opportunity to buy tickets that day and low and behold Mr. Willie Glow was one of them. We are excited to have this team apart of the tournament and wish them the best. There is allot more to this story and if they win the event or even if they don’t, the story will be finished. GOOD LUCK, Goodman and Gloe!  Go! Team Rust Bucket!!!!