Chris Gasser - 4/6/2003

Catawba Island State Park - Port Clinton, Ohio After several warm, sunny days, Lake Erie returned to her moody self and blew a gale during the two days before the WWA opening event. The stories of the days previous to the blow told of multiple fish over 12 pounds, keying up the competitors anticipation of the Sunday Tournament.

Saturday, April 5 saw the temperature plummet into the 20's and the wind whipped the waves to 8 feet or higher. The few teams that ventured out were nothing more than cold, wet and dissapointed.

With several teams deciding to leave and even more opting to cure their walleye woes with dosages of television fishing shows, the lake laid down just enough to allow a field of 12 teams to ply her waters for tournament Sunday.

The muddied water did began to clear to the northwest, but the cold front retained it's grip on the lock jawed walleye. Some teams had planned to run to the Sandusky Bay train bridge, targeting the funnel of fish forced to move through these areas. Some did , but others couldn't make the trip in the bumpy seas.

The day resulted in a record low catch for the Walleye Capital of the World.

A total of 5 fish were brought to the scales for a unprecidented combined, ice crusted, goretex covered field weight of 16.7 pounds.

Dick Bill and Dick Moseman teamed up for 2 walleye weighing 7.18 pounds for the $1000.00 win with the larger of the two at 4.48 pounds taking the $120.00 Big Fish honors.

Phil Ames and Kevin Vernon came in second with one fish weighing 3. 59 pounds earning them $460.00. The team was closely followed by Dave Davidson and Thomas Sibert with one fish weighing 3.39 pounds.

The next event is scheduled for April 27, 2003 at the Huron Boat Basin in Huron, Ohio.

WWA OH Qualifier - Lake Erie Results