Chris Gasser - 6/23/2003

Lake Preston, SD- Emil Leetch and Jeff Beynum held off a hard charging field of skilled anglers to win the World Walleye Association South Dakota Team Challenge tournament held on Lake Thompson June 15th, 2003.

Suspending bait under slip bobbers in shallow water among trees in the north end of the lake, Leetch and Beynum were not only able to catch the winning weight of 15.75 pounds using this technique, but they also caught the big fish of the tournament weighing 5.62-pounds.

David Palli and Keith Anderson came in a very close second with a weight of 15.50-pounds.

Jason Swartz and Matt Beaner were third with 14.29-pounds.

"Jason Swartz was lucky to be able to fish the tournament". Said Steve Poll, Executive Director of the WWA, " He originally was planning on fishing the entire South Dakota circuit but his plans were changed as he was called to active duty in the military to participate in Iraqi Freedom. But his tour of duty ended just in time and we are thankful he made it back safe to join us."

The next stop for the South Dakota Team Challenge series is June 29th at Lake Poinsett out of Sioux Land Resort.

To see pictures of the winning teams and a complete list of how all the teams finished, visit the WWA website at www.worldwalleye.com or watch for results on all the WWA tournaments in the Badger Sportsman magazine in upcoming issues.

For information on fishing the World Walleye Association, a "Tournament Circuit For Fisherman, Run By Fisherman", visit the website or call 920-924-2100

The World Walleye Association is proudly sponsored by Patriot Boats,"Overbuilt for Life"

WWA SD Qualifier - Thompson Lake Results