Pro Eric Olson of Red Wing, Minn., and co-angler David Hosek of White Bear Lake, Minn., caught 5 walleyes weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces to win the FLW Walleye Tour Western Division tournament on Oahe Lake. Olson had a three-day catch of 15 walleyes weighing 45-7. He won by nearly 2-pounds over his closest competitor and took home $36,157* for his efforts.
“This is just incredible and a long time coming, what a nice confidence booster,” said Olson, who got his first FLW Walleye Tour win. “I am as high on cloud nine as I can be that is still considered legal without a license from the FAA!
“I started out today on the same spot I fished all week expecting the wind to be about the same as on day one; when we got there it was completely opposite. I knew the fish were there and I didn’t want to give-up so we stayed there until about 10, without a fish. I finally moved to my second spot and the fish were gone from there too. I came up on my third spot about 11 and at 12:07 we were finished!
“The wind reversed itself causing a current along the bluff which created a river like situation; I knew then that this was going to be our spot. We did lose two fish, but hey, I won’t complain because I got what I needed and that’s good enough for me.
“I have had such great partners this week, what a treat, especially the local guys – they really know this fishery and it is one of the best!”
Olson added that he was using night crawlers again today however; he added a bead to help make a difference in getting the fish to start biting.
Rounding out the top-10 pros are:
| 2nd: | Gerrick McComsey | Fort Pierre, S.D. | 14 walleyes | 43-10 | $4,838* |
| 3rd: | Paul Steffen | Pierre, S.D. | 15 walleyes | 41-5 | $4,170* |
| 4th: | Gary Maher | Menoken, N.D. | 15 walleyes | 38-2 | $4,002* |
| 5th | Dusty Minke | Forest Lake, Minn. | 15 walleyes | 38-1 | $3,834* |
| 6th: | Chevy pro Jason Przekurat | Stevens Point, Wis. | 14 walleyes | 37-2 | $3,271* |
| 7th: | Nick Schertz | Tomahawk, Wis. | 15 walleyes | 37 | $3,018* |
| 8th: | Brian Brosdahl | Max, Minn. | 15 walleyes | 36-11 | $2,765* |
| 9th: | Byron Peterson | Blair, Neb. | 14 walleyes | 34-10 | $1,012 |
| 10th: | Barry Walker | Big Springs, Neb. | 10 walleyes | 27-7 | $759 |
*Includes contingency prize money
David Hosek of White Bear Lake, Minn., earned the victory in the Co-angler Division and took home $4,125*. His three day weight totaled 45 pounds, 15 ounces. He fished with National Guard pro Mark Courts of Harris, Minn.., Gerrick McComsey and Eric Olson over the course of the tournament.
“It was just a privilege to be able to fish with Eric today,” said Hosek. “I tell you my heart was pumping at about 11 when we didn’t have any fish, but Eric kept moving and we finally hooked one and then it was over, it really was a great day.”
Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers are:
| 2nd: | Todd Dankert | Anoka, Minn. | 15 walleyes | 45-2 | $1,658* |
| 3rd: | Robert Dube | Williston, N.D. | 15 walleyes | 42-4 | $868 |
| 4th: | Ron Lowry | Lakewood, Colo. | 15 walleyes | 37-2 | $753 |
| 5th | Don Karlgaard | East Gull Lake, Minn. | 14 walleyes | 37-1 | $1,564* |
| 6th: | Mike Pellerzi | Pierre, S.D. | 15 walleyes | 36-13 | $965* |
| 7th: | LTC. Kit Cline | Rapid City, S.D. | 15 walleyes | 36 | $579 |
| 8th: | Darrell Martin | Forest Lake, Minn. | 15 walleyes | 35-11 | $829* |
| 9th: | Mike Tchida | Sisseton, S.D. | 14 walleyes | 33-9 | $463 |
| 10th: | Ryan Kelly | Ortonville, Minn. | 10 walleyes | 27-3 | $405 |
*Includes contingency prize money
Overall there were 43 walleyes weighing 104 pounds caught by 10 boats Saturday. The catch included seven five-walleye limits.
In FLW Walleye Tour competition, pros and cos are also competing for valuable points in the hope of qualifying for a shot at the FLW Walleye Tour Championship.
ABOUT FLW OUTDOORS
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, call (270) 252-1000.By: Julie Huber,
