RRWT champs continue their winning ways in Morson

By Nancy Miller
Contributor

The first Lake of the Woods Walleye Challenge was a solid success with 14 teams, even if the weather chose not to cooperate.
All preparations went smoothly until Saturday morning October 10th. Organizer Pat Handorgan gathered the teams together before the boats were to leave to vote whether or not the tournament should proceed due to concerns with the severe weather conditions. The anglers voted to make this year’s tournament a one day event.
The stage was set that any team could win a one day tournament.
The participating anglers went to the Morson Hall for a free walleye supper and music on Saturday. A nice crowd attended meals both days and the prize presentations and raffles on Sunday.
On Sunday, the boats left from the Morson Government dock and weigh-ins took place in the parking lot. An enthusiastic crowd watched as Melvin Major and Ryan Kirkrude the second team to weigh-in had a nice basket of fish of 14.45 lbs and their biggest fish weighed-in at 6.21 pounds.
Father and son team of Ken and Patrick Vogan were holding their own but soon slipped farther back in the standings as more baskets of fish came through.
Then the team of Jason Gibbins and Oliver Gibbins arrived with their basket. They had hopeful looks of anticipation as their two big fish were weighed. The biggest fish weighed at 6.74 lbs and their second just under 5.34 lbs. giving them the winning basket at 15.47 lbs. The remaining teams yet to weigh could not unseat the top 4 teams. the Following were the top prizes of:
1st-Jason Gibbins & Oliver Gibbins 15.47 lbs. $1,400.00
2nd-Melvin Major & Ryan Kirkrude 14.45 lbs. $800.00
3rd-Leslie Morrison & Pete Hapka 11.06 lbs. $500.00
4th-Jeff Morrison & Leana Gibbins 10.47 lbs. $300.00
John King & Jarvis Little won the angler draw of Flotation Jackets.
Hidden weight closest to 2.77 lbs. Irvin & Geraldine Blight $300.00
Biggest Walleye 6.74 lbs Jason & Oliver Gibbins $300.00
Pat Handorgan stated “We are pleased with turnout of anglers, the spectators that came to support the weigh-ins and our sponsors and volunteers that helped with the event. We have plans for a few changes for next year and foresee a bigger field of participating anglers. I think everyone had a great time and are looking forward to next year’s event.”