Hartnell/Morrison best local finish at fourth

Ken Johnston
Editor

The team that got into the RRWT by chance last year when another cancelled at the last minute, wasted no time in climbing to the top.
Mike Vacura and Marni Korpi of Roseau, Minnesota finished 5th last year and this year took home the big bucks; $15,000 for their two day weight of 16.3 lbs. over the weekend.
Vacura said they had a tough second day, noting they had four fish in the boat by 9:30 a.m. Saturday and never had a bite until 9:15 a.m. Sunday. But they kept plugging away and by the end of the day they added another 6.6 lbs. to their first day weight of 9.7 lbs.
They fished about two miles down stream of the international bridge both last year and again this year. They both swear by lures they were using which were Shadraps by Rapala. “The key was a certain colour, but we’re keeping that a secret,” said Vacura.
The couple has been fishing together for about four years now and fish only local tournaments. In addition to their fifth place finish last fall at the RRWT, a week later they won the Northstar Classic Walleye Tournament at Wigwam Resort in Baudette. They are planning to return to that tournament again this weekend and defend their title.
Neither of them take more credit for their angling success than the other. “I caught the first fish, he caught the biggest,” said Marni.
In addition to the prize winning walleye they hauled in a 22 lb. northern pike Sunday. “We couldn’t fit him in the net or the live well,” exclaimed Korpi.
As for next year Mike said, “Other teams talk about being number one next year, but we are not going to give it up that easily!”
As for the rest of the field, the closest anyone came to Vacura and Korpi was 2.6 lbs. behind them. Sean Westman of Andover, MN. and Dave Oldakowski of Ham Lake, MN. came on strong the second day, but not strong enough to catch the leaders. They were in seventh place after the first day and ended day two with 13.7 lbs. That earned them $6,500 in prize money. Oldakowski gave credit for their success to the lessons that RRWT’s first champion, Brian Ney, gave them.
The third place team, Mark Chapman and Kent Christianson of Baudette, MN., came out of nowhere from 38 th place. Christianson said it was pure luck fishing near the mouth of the river trying to pick up a big one. They did just that, landing the biggest fish of the tournament at 6.72 lbs. which earned them another $500 in addition to the $3,000 in prize money for their finish.
Consistency must be the middle names of James Hartnell and Les Morrison. They finished 4th both days with just a hair less weight than third place. They brought in 13.32 lbs. and took home $2,500 in prize money.
Finishing fifth was Brian Ney, of Baudette, MN., and Dan Stier of Pierre, South Dakota. They received $1,500 for their 13.02 lbs. of walleye. They to came from way back to rise to the top. They were 30th after day one with only 3.7 lbs.
In sixth was Frank McWhinnie and Frank Grunewald of Red Lake, Ont. with 12.28 lbs. That netted them $1,200.
In seventh was Bill Stay and Mark Chivialkowski of Baudette, MN. Stay said their goal from last year was to ride into the tent in the top five from day one procession and they did just that, finishing fifth that day withe 7.28 lbs. However, their second day catch only brought them to 12.18 lbs., just behind the Two Franks. They won $1,100.
In eighth were local favourites from day one, Marty Leefe and Christian Armstrong, both of Rainy River. They were second after day one with 9.52 lbs. but couldn’t produce on day two, finishing with 11.9 lbs. That earned them $1,000. They also brought in the biggest fish on day 1 at 3.7 lbs. which earned them another $500. They also won $1,000 in the early bird draw this spring.
In ninth was another local favourite team. James and Jason Jarvis, both of Rainy River, were in third after day one with 8.32 lbs. However the fish eluded them on day two and they finished with only 11.28 lbs. and won $900.
Rounding out the top ten was Allan and John Stone of Rainy River who came from 42nd after day one to tenth. They had a great second day and finished with 10.84 lbs.
Finishing from eleventh to fifteenth was Gerry Jolicouer/Robert Ottertail, Colin Wood/Doug Moen, Floyd Gibbins/Shawn Hartnell, Wayne and Steve Carlson, and Peter and Wendy VanDrunen. They received $700, $600, $500, $300 and $200 respectively.
Winning the joint Emo Walleye Classic and RRWT River Champion title was Dale LaBelle and Wayne Angus of Devlin, Ont. The 7.68 lbs. at the RRWT added to the 14 lbs. at the EWC earned them the title and $1,200.
Top Lund boat was third place finishers Mark Chapman and Kent Christianson. They received Lund jackets.
The Most Improved Team was team 9, Kelvin Caul and Ralph Galusha both of Devlin, Ont. They caught 8.2 lbs. on day two, as opposed to nothing on day one. They received $75 gift certificates each for Pinewood Sports and Marine.
Tournament chair, Glen Armstrong said that everything went over, “Excellent! Of course there is always room for improvement and we hope to make it better for the contestants, the community at large, businesses and organizations.” Armstrong said the committee is also looking at expanding the fishing area to include part of Lake of the Woods and perhaps further east on the Rainy River.
Emcee Lionel Robert said, “This tournament just keeps getting better! I have nothing but kudos for the committee! It is one heck of a show!” Robert said that RR is in his opinion the best walleye tournament in Northwestern Ontario. “You have the best crowds and the most enthused crowds!” Robert feels that if anything the RRWT, EWC and the FF Canadian Bass Championship will continue to grow for another 5-6 years.
Winning the kids fishing tournament was Jeremy Thompson who caught a 19” Northern and an 8.5” Bass. Calen Ewald came in second with an 18.5” Northern.
Winning the kids talent show was Ericka Tymkin and her sister Shelby who tied for first. They won a kids karoake machine from Radioshack.
Annagen Wood came in second. She won a disc holder and a stuffed snowman.
Nick Ashworth, Calen Ewald and Bryce Marmus came in third. They won a CD holder.
Winning the RR Fire Department raffle was, the boat package-James Lauzon of Rainy River, the fourwheeler-Len Clarke of Rainy River and the mini-dirtbike-Ralph Okerland of Salol, MN.
Winning the golf clubs raffle was Jim Hall of Rainy River.
Winning the draw for a rod and reel was Wendy VanDrunen.
Winning the sinker draw of $100 was Nancy Krueger.
Winning the line draw of $200 was Anne Vanleeuwen.
Winning the hook draw of $400 was Jeremy Johnson.