Walleye tournament expanded to 80 teams for 2002

Ken Johnston
Editor

The Rainy River Walleye Tournament committee met last Wednesday to discuss the 2001 and 2002 tournaments.

It was decided to modestly increase the number of entries in the tournament to 80 from 75. Last year it was increased from 60 to 75. But some people were concerned about the tournament getting too big to handle.

The 75 teams in this year’s tournament are offered the first opportunity to fill the 80 slots. They have until January 31, 2002 to pay their deposit.

After that a draw for any spots vacated by them and the five new ones will be filled by a lottery system.

The committee also dealt with a controversy over the hidden weight prize at the 2001 tournament. The weight was announced at the tournament as being 2.42 lbs. However it was awarded to Mike Gate and Derek Ewald who had 2.66 lbs. and not Lisa and Crystal Lindal who had 2.44 lbs.

The committee was unable to reverify what the hidden weight was and rather than dispute it they opted to pay both teams the $1,000 prize money.