Awards : PMTT 2003 Eagle River

Eagle River, Wisconsin
June 21st & 22nd, 2003

Original Article by - BOB “the FIN-ADDICT” OSBORNE
Director PMTT Public Relations / Press Release

Steven James Rusteberg & Duane Landmeier place 20 out of 154 Teams.

"Rick LaBuda of Oak Lawn, IL and partner Tom Bayer of Hanover Park, IL amazing come from behind charge on Sunday, fighting high bluebird skies and near record temperatures at both ends of the thermometer while catching and releasing Musky of 39-3/4 & 37-3/4 inches, steadfastly working Grim Reaper spinnerbaits on Scattering Rice and Duck Lakes, vaulted them from a tie for last place to the very top of the final leaderboard, heading a full field of 150 Teams gathered here from all across North America to compete in the PMTT / Mercury Marine's Summer Challenge - Qualifier #3, Sat. & Sun. June 21st / 22nd on the legendary waters of Northern Wisconsin's Eagle River Chain; Eagle River, WI., laying claim not only to the All-Star Rods Big Fish Award of $500 and new All-Star Graphite Rod on Sunday by narrowly edging out day one leaders, Gregg Thomas & Dave Grochowski, the only team to register two fish on day one, but also taking home the 1st Place Trophy and accompanying $20,000 check!!! Said Rick LaBuda after a loud war-whoop and deep sigh of satisfaction when he and teammate Tom Bayer were announced as the winners, "What an incredible feeling ... and hey, what a town!"

Although the difficult weather conditions kept the over-all catch numbers low for this normally prolific fishery, at 29 fish 34 inches or larger, it did serve to make for a very exciting free-for-all finish indeed, when the top five teams ALL recorded doubles and less than 30 points separated them from one another. Gregg Thomas of Frenchburg, KY and partner Dave Grochowski from Fairfield, OH led Saturday after boating two Musky at 36-1/2 & 37-1/2 inches near the islands in Catfish Lake using Reef Hawgs on the outside edges of the weeds, but knew that the slow bite and 18 other teams with fish right on their heels made for a "must catch" situation the following day. Despite their hard fought effort to score a triple they could not muster another bite on Sunday and slipped to 2nd Place and a cash pay out of $5,000. Last events 2nd Place finishers and "Big Fish" winners with that memorable last second 49 inch beauty at Cave Run Lake, John Newman and Bob Culberson from the Twin Cities area, were up to their old tricks again, registering Saturday's All-Star Graphite Rods "Big Fish" Award winner at 38-3/4 inches, for $500 and a new All-Star Rod, using downsized crankbaits on the "Slide Bar" area of Cranberry, that had just enough oomph to hold up for 6th place overall, totaling $1,500, when they too could not score that elusive second fish.

3rd, 4th & 5th places all caught fish both days but central Minnesota's Jason Summers & Tony Demars, registering a 38-1/4 & 34-1/2 inch Musky utilizing Depth Raiders on Eagle Lake claimed both the prestigious Ranger Cup and 3rd place honors for a total of $3,500. Jim Glass & Josh Wiser caught fish of 36 & 34-1/4 inches on crankbaits to claim 4th place and $2,000 while local Musky Hounds Jerry Podmarsky & David Quinn also using Depth Raiders, took a pair of Musky measuring 34 & 35 inches respectfully for 5th place and $1,500. Weeds and weed edges... inside/outside or on the flats, were the key to success for most anglers with a large variety of baits and tactics proving productive through-out this fabled water system.

The heritage of Musky angling and love of the Great Outdoors abounds, going back several generations in this part of the country and it really shows as the entire community came out to welcome and make feel to home the more than 300 visiting anglers and their families in town for the week of competition and local festivities. The Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, Dir. "Connie" Heeg and Event Co-coordinator Kim Emerson, Bill Weber of Parson's Chevrolet, Jeff and Laura of Eagle Waters Resort, Richard Heckle of Heckle's Marine, George Langley of Eagle Sports and many, many others, pooled their multiple talents and resources to make this absolutely one of the best hosted PMTT events ever held. Tournament Director and PMTT Co-Founder, Tim Widlacki, stated during the closing ceremonies, "Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center rolls out the red carpeting like no one else in the country. Connie Heeg and Kim Emerson of the Chamber, heck, the entire town of Eagle River welcomes the PMTT and its contestants in truly first class fashion. They really go out of their way to try and make everyone feel at home and do what ever it takes, going the extra mile, to make everyone's trip here an enjoyable and memorable experience."

Mercury Marine Marketing Representative, Kevin Luebke was also on hand to congratulate all of the contestants, voicing Mercury's continued support of the PMTT and development of products related to this fast growing segment of the freshwater fishing industry. "If not for Mercury Marine's long-time, large scale support of the PMTT and their financial commitment to making the entire sport of Musky fishing better, we (PMTT) could never have achieved so much nor have gotten so far in such a short time", added Widlacki, and as always, "a very special thanks goes out to all of the Major, Associate and Contributing sponsors, without whose continued support the PMTT’s success would be impossible. Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Musky Hunter Magazine, All Star Graphite Rods, The Fishing Guide Show, Heckel's Marina, Crash's Landing, Inc., Morehead Kentucky Tourism Commission, Greater Madison Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center, Break on the Lake Resort and Birch Villa Resort. We ask that you would consider returning that support by patronizing their fine products and services."