NWT in Garrison ND

[Tillerman2095]

I visited with Anthony Wright tournament director for the NWT. I wanted to know about why they chose on the dates of May 11-12 for the event. He said with conflicting schedules these were the dates that worked for them for the lake. He said if they were to schedule for the prime time of June or July; it was to conflicting with what is on the NDGF had already on the list. He said if the lake is still frozen or had any other major issues; they will just cancel the event. If you want to visit with him or have any questions about entering; his cell phone is the best way to talk to him directly 501-317-7281.

I want to in the worst way enter but with what I've experienced in early May its a tough bite. I'm sure someone will find them and have good luck. I just don't know if its worth the $1500.00 gamble. Plus all the other side pot money a angler could have $2000.00 grand invested and haven't even fished yet.

 

[H82bogey]

I wonder how many boats will enter? That time of the year the fish are generally back in the shallow parts of the bay and warm water. Would be interesting to see 100+ boats stacked on top of each other back in Garrison or Douglas.

 

[KDM]

I'll be somewhere else that weekend. The Sheyenne isn't nearly that crowded that time of year. (Grin)

 

[AaronJ]

I plan on entering. I hope, if it gets cancelled, that we get our entry back.....

 

[Vollmer]

I'm too tight for that entry. I'll put it on my bucket list.

 

[Riverbottoms]

Fishing the east side in the middle of may, will separate the MEN from the BOYS! Old school fisherman will likely do good in this tournament, going to be a lot of jigging going.

 

[H82bogey]

Fishing the east side in the middle of may, will separate the MEN from the BOYS! Old school fisherman will likely do good in this tournament, going to be a lot of jigging going.

Move out to 50fow. Put on a 1/2oz jig, and catch a limit of sauger. Might not win, but would probably place.

 

[AaronJ]

These are going to be alot of LONG runs made. Indian Hills and the Casino have already been contacted about having on the water fueling available with an attendant present....

 

[Tillerman2095]

I have it figured out its 90 lake miles from Garrison Bay to the mouth of White Earth Bay. So how does that work; in all tournaments I've fished you cant get outta the boat during the event. The NWT rules are different in other ways? I haven't looked them up. My idea of people taking this advantage of fueling @ the marinas is bogus. If you cant take it with you shouldn't be allowed to fuel up @ these places. Its your gamble to make that run regardless of the conditions.

From the NWT rule book:Fuel may be carried only in factory-installed (built-in) fuel tanks. Optional remote engine fuel tanks must be factory- or factory-authorized-dealer installed and be strapped or otherwise secured. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public and pumped through a hose with a nozzle.

 

[shorthairsrus]

omg - what a dropped ball on the part of the NDGF if they could not accomodate this properly. Gov cup is one weekend.

 

[ndskeeter]

That's why they are talking about fueling attendants at the marina. At Indian Hills they have a pump on the water so that is within the rules of the NWT for a retail facility open to the public.

I have it figured out its 90 lake miles from Garrison Bay to the mouth of White Earth Bay. So how does that work; in all tournaments I've fished you cant get outta the boat during the event. The NWT rules are different in other ways? I haven't looked them up. My idea of people taking this advantage of fueling @ the marinas is bogus. If you cant take it with you shouldn't be allowed to fuel up @ these places. Its your gamble to make that run regardless of the conditions.

From the NWT rule book:Fuel may be carried only in factory-installed (built-in) fuel tanks. Optional remote engine fuel tanks must be factory- or factory-authorized-dealer installed and be strapped or otherwise secured. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public and pumped through a hose with a nozzle.

 

[Tillerman2095]

Its cool that there is situations were everyone can benefit from rules. Kelly will benefit from this rule and so will the anglers. It adds a lot of time onto your already short fishing day with the long run. It will be fun to see what happens that's for sure. If I cant compete I will be @ the weight in everyday to see how it unfolds.

 

[LiebelsGuide]

I contacted them as soon as the schedule came out, here was their response.

"We appreciate you taking the time to voice your concerns. We had planned to visit Garrison, ND and Lake Sakakawea in June, but another venue was unable to accommodate us in May so had to swap out those dates. We totally understand that we may be a little early, but didn’t want to leave out the Dakota region and the loyal group of anglers who participate with the NWT. Hopefully you understand that we work very hard to try and visit different bodies of water and sometimes we cannot always visit at the best time of year. We recognize that the anglers will be faced with possibilities of long runs, and like at most events, hard decisions have to be made on where to fish.

Once again, we appreciate your email and understanding. We will for sure take this information into consideration for future events in your area. We hope you are able to participate with us in the Spring and if you have further questions please let us know."

Looks to me like they catered to Prairie du Chien... IMO there are many places to host along the Mississippi, I would assume may would be better on the river anyways...

I will be fishing it. It will be interesting. Lots of water to cover. Some of the NWT guys aren't scared of 100+ mile runs, they did it on Oahe last year... Weather will play the biggest factor, early may isn't usually that stable and the wind usually blows!

 

[KDM]

I'd rather sit at the fuel stop and watch the frantic refueling episodes. THAT could be youtube worthy stuff.

 

[H82bogey]

I contacted them as soon as the schedule came out, here was their response.

"We appreciate you taking the time to voice your concerns. We had planned to visit Garrison, ND and Lake Sakakawea in June, but another venue was unable to accommodate us in May so had to swap out those dates. We totally understand that we may be a little early, but didn’t want to leave out the Dakota region and the loyal group of anglers who participate with the NWT. Hopefully you understand that we work very hard to try and visit different bodies of water and sometimes we cannot always visit at the best time of year. We recognize that the anglers will be faced with possibilities of long runs, and like at most events, hard decisions have to be made on where to fish.

Once again, we appreciate your email and understanding. We will for sure take this information into consideration for future events in your area. We hope you are able to participate with us in the Spring and if you have further questions please let us know."

Looks to me like they catered to Prairie du Chien... IMO there are many places to host along the Mississippi, I would assume may would be better on the river anyways...

I will be fishing it. It will be interesting. Lots of water to cover. Some of the NWT guys aren't scared of 100+ mile runs, they did it on Oahe last year... Weather will play the biggest factor, early may isn't usually that stable and the wind ALWAYS blows!

Fixed it for ya.

Wonder why they didn't host closer to the west end of the lake. Van hook area?

 

[Kurtr]

We were supposed to have early nwt on Oahe last year but to many people bitched fishing is to hard. I was actually interested as when fishing sucks is where the pros should stand out. Hope they don't fold to the whiners and keep the dates up there. It is top level and should be the most challenging as a spectator I would rather learn how to catch fish during tough times than when everyone is catching limits

 

[Tillerman2095]

To me its not about how easy it is to catch fish. If it wasn't a challenge, and fishing is challenging; not everyone can go out there everyday and catch'em. I love a challenge; to me its a poor time to show case Sakakawea. If we want to see another pro am tournament here we want it to be during a time of the year when the fish are more active and catchable.

What would been wrong with the championship being here in the fall. To many people that's a challenging time to catch fish. To me its my favorite time because of the chance of big fish and big numbers of big fish. A lot of anglers would agree its ton of money to gamble. I'm excited to see who does well and who doesn't. Fishing has do a lot of luck involved and this tournament your gonna need a lot of that to just to find them let alone win.

Just cause they are pros doesn't mean anything to me. I've seen the best bomb a total season. I've seen the smallest of boats and the unlikeliest of winners win also.

 

[pluckem]

It will provide some interesting strategies related to the running distance. Have to see how the bite plays out this year, but if you are going off of last season the quality of fish likely needed to win it were within 10 miles of Garrison. Might not be as easy of a decision as it was in Mobridge last year to make those crazy runs.

 

[Kurtr]

To me its not about how easy it is to catch fish. If it wasn't a challenge, and fishing is challenging; not everyone can go out there everyday and catch'em. I love a challenge; to me its a poor time to show case Sakakawea. If we want to see another pro am tournament here we want it to be during a time of the year when the fish are more active and catchable.

What would been wrong with the championship being here in the fall. To many people that's a challenging time to catch fish. To me its my favorite time because of the chance of big fish and big numbers of big fish. A lot of anglers would agree its ton of money to gamble. I'm excited to see who does well and who doesn't. Fishing has do a lot of luck involved and this tournament your gonna need a lot of that to just to find them let alone win.

Just cause they are pros doesn't mean anything to me. I've seen the best bomb a total season. I've seen the smallest of boats and the unlikeliest of winners win also.

Show case is this for tourists or is it a fishing tournament. How much do they pay the nwt to come thought it was 10 grand down here. Jason p proved last year skill trumps luck in a 3 dayer every time. The attention to detail he used is what I find interesting

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It will provide some interesting strategies related to the running distance. Have to see how the bite plays out this year, but if you are going off of last season the quality of fish likely needed to win it were within 10 miles of Garrison. Might not be as easy of a decision as it was in Mobridge last year to make those crazy runs.

It was won within 20 miles is the great part

 

[shorthairsrus]

I just want to see a weight greater than DL. Sak was in the top 10 walleye lakes in the world. It lost its standing -- its time to redeem.

Now having a spring contest when they will need to run sleds vs. boats -- not impressed. At least we know it was not the NDGF and it was the NWT --- NWT evidently does zero homework and doesnt know what they are doing. Hence why the walleye tournament series is blah. IMO -- its all about marketing --- Marketing 101 you do not have a tournament on a $hitty day or season. Why - biggest reason --- sponsors. Sponsors want to see people, they want to see the tournament be held and not cancelled due to weather. I would actually make the trip over if it was held during the summer. I would buy fuel and probably take the boat and eat at least - with it being held on the dates they have it I wont even consider it. Nobody wants to see a 50mph wind and a grey piece of ice breaking up and a cancellation. If i was a sponsor I would be searching for another tournament. EOS