The ESPN Great Outdoor Games

PWT And BASS Join Forces For Unique
Two-Species Tournament At The
ESPN Great Outdoor Games

by Jim Kalkofen

Two of the most respected competitive fishing organizations -- BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) -- will join forces in the Freshwater Doubles event at the ESPN Great Outdoor Games presented by Dodge Trucks, July 8-11, in Madison, Wisconsin.

In past years, the Great Outdoor Games featured only bass competitions, but this year, there will be one walleye pro and one bass pro per boat, with teams competing for medals and cash prizes by catching the best combined weight of three bass and three walleyes.

"This will give pro walleye anglers a chance to share boats and skills with their counterparts in BASS," said Jim Kalkofen, PWT executive director. "I've never seen grown men so excited about any fishing opportunity. This is the ideal format for stars from each circuit to get together and teach all of us a little more about fishing, combining their tactics and strategies."

All contestants earned their right to compete in Madison, including defending gold medalists from the 2003 Great Outdoor Games bass fishing tournament, and the the CITGO BassMaster Classic Champion and BassMaster Angler of the Year, respectively. For walleyes, the 2003 PWT/Mercury Champion will be competing this year at The Great Outdoor Games, along with PWT's Angler of the Year; and the top four PWT all-time money winners will be in the boats, along with the top two all-time BASS money winners.

BASS Gold Medalists returning are Shaw Grigsby, Jr., of Gainesville, Florida, and Gary Klein of Weatherford, Texas. The BASS field will be finalized upon commitments from the eligible pro anglers.

Representing the PWT are Mercury Champion Dan Plautz of Muskego, Wisconsin, and Angler of the Year Bill Ortiz of Dodgeville, Wisconsin. The top four PWT money winners are: Ron Seelhoff, Burlington, Colorado; Mike Gofron, Antioch, Illinois; Perry Good, Brainerd, Minnesota; and Gary Parsons, Glidden, Wisconsin.

Contestant Profiles:

	Shaw Grigsby, Jr. 2003 ESPN Great Outdoor Games bass fishing gold medalist (team); 2002 ESPN Great Outdoor Games bass fishing gold medalist (individual); 10 CITGO BassMaster Classic appearances; 8 BASS wins and 43 top-10 finishes. Winner of $1,229,380. Pro angler and TV host of "One Last Cast with Shaw Grigsby."
	Gary Klein 2003 ESPN Great Outdoor Games bass fishing gold medalist (team); 2001 & 2002 ESPN Great Outdoor Games bass fishing silver medalist (individual); 21 CITGO BassMaster Classic appearances; 2-time BASS Angler of the Year; 8 BASS wins and 58 top-10 finishes, with $1,172,218 in winnings. Pro angler.
	Dan Plautz 2003 PWT Mercury Champion; 3 PWT wins and qualified for 10 championships; 12 top-10 finishes, in the money 36 of 70 events. Pro walleye angler and owner of a cleaning service.
	Bill Ortiz 2003 PWT Angler of the Year; PWT winner and qualified for each of last 5 championships; 5 top-10 finishes, and 21 of 51 money finishes. Pro walleye angler and union carpenter.
	Ron Seelhoff All-time PWT money winner ($479,125); most PWT wins (5); 4 second-place finishes and 21 top-10 finishes. Only back-to-back and 2-time champion (1999 & 2000); qualified for 13 of 14 Championships. Pro walleye angler and owner/pilot of a crop-dusting service.
	Mike Gofron #2 all-time PWT money winner ($347,350); most top-10 finishes on tour (25); Two-time Championship winner. Won money in 31 of last 41 events fished, fished 11 of 14 years and qualified for the PWT Championship every year. Pro walleye angler and owner of an excavation company.
	Perry Good #3 all-time PWT money winner ($336,500); only pro to qualify for all 14 PWT Championships. Has fished every PWT tournament: 24 top-10 finishes, 4 wins, most money finishes (48). Pro walleye angler and fishing guide.
	Gary Parsons #4 all-time PWT money winner ($334,687); only back-to-back and 2-time Angler of the Year; 17 top-10 finishes, 3 wins (all on South Dakota's Lake Oahe). Qualified for 12 of 14 PWT Championships. Pro walleye angler and former dentist.

For additional details about Great Outdoor Games V, visit www.espnoutdoorsmedia.com.

A limited number of PWT amateur spots still remains in PWT regular season events at Lake Erie, Cleveland, Ohio (July 21-23), and Little Bay de Noc, Escanaba, Michigan (August 26-28). Contact the PWT for entry information and details at 218/824-2542, or www.professionalwalleyetrail.com.