Walleye Tournament action begins this Friday

Ken Johnston
Editor

The Third Annual Rainy River Chamber of Commerce Live Release Walleye Tournament is set to excite the region this weekend.

Over the weekend the big tent went up on the water front at the base of Rainy River. Other workers have been busy upgrading the second boat launch at the bottom of Second St. and countless others have been behind the scenes getting ready to put on what has arguably become the community’s biggest event of the year.

150 anglers will be vying for the top prize in the tournament which is $12,000 cash! Many of them have been out on the river in the past week and surely all will be at one time or another before this weekend.

On Friday the official opening of the tournament will start with the annual parade of boats at 4 p.m. It will begin on Sixth St. and run east on Hwy. 11 and south on Main St. to the water front. Motorists should note that the street along the park (River Ave.) will be closed to traffic to allow for parking of the competitors boats and vehicles.

At the tent, after the parade, official introduction of the teams will take place and a pork roast dinner will he held for them and the public as well.

Chefs from the Rainy River Fire Dept. who know how to roast a pig to perfection will be in charge. It will cost $10 per plate.

A rules meeting for contestants will be held at 7 p.m. That will be followed by a dance at 9 p.m. featuring Mike “Kookin” Matthew as the DJ.

Saturday morning things get off to an early start with the boats departing for a day of competitive fishing on the Rainy River. Mother Nature has promised good weather and so far the forecast is for sun on both Saturday and Sunday.

At 10 a.m. kids can learn how to fish from the Pathways to Fishing program which is making its third appearance at the RRWT. Kids are encouraged to sign up in advance by using the form in the RR Record Walleye Edition and submitting it to the Record Office before the weekend. However, kids can register at the tent that day as well.

At 11 a.m. the RR Toy Library will host kids games in the park. A penny table will also open at 11 a.m. in the tent and will run until Sunday.

At Noon a kids mini fishing tournament will be held for ages 8-16. To register call Lisa at 852-3886.

At 1 p.m. a talent show and a walkman singing contest will be held in the tent.

At 4 p.m. the first day’s weigh-ins will take place in the tent.

What would an exciting fishing tournament be without a fish-fry! The Rainy River Curling Club, famous for their fish-fries, will host one at 5 p.m. that day at the tent.

After supper, at 6:30 p.m. the RR Fire Dept. will host their annual Kenducky Derby with the owner of the winning duck taking home $1,000 in cash!

At 9 p.m. The Poor Boys take center stage in the tent to rock the town with live music at the annual main event dance!

Both a Mocktail Bar (hosted by the Healthy Communities Coalition) and Beer Gardens (hosted by the Wildland’s Snowdusters Snowmobile Club) will be held that evening.

Sunday the boats will be back out on the water at 8 a.m. for day 2 of the competition.

At 12:30 p.m. a new event will bring some more fun to the weekend. A Silly Boat Parade and Race will be held along the same route as the Friday Parade of Boats. Then the boats will be judged and prizes awarded. After that a Silly Boat Race will take place from Second St. to the Government Dock.

At 1 p.m. the penny table will be drawn.

At 3 p.m. the moment so many people will have been waiting for will take place. The final weigh-ins will be held and the top five boats from day one will be paraded in last through the tent to add to the suspense. After that an awards presentation will take place and the draw for the Lions Boat will happen.

At 4 p.m. the World Famous Legion Steak Fry will wrap things up at the tent.