For Immediate Release
For More Information Contact:
Kristine Houtman 612 710 5584
events@masterswalleyecircuit.com


FINAL QUALIFYING EVENT ON DECK FOR CABELA’S MWC AT DUNKIRK, NEW YORK
– PRESENTED BY NORTH AMERICAN FISHING CLUB


Minnetonka, MN -- The 2008 Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) qualifying season is coming to a close August 22 – 24, 2008 on the Eastern basin of Lake Erie with 63 teams registered. The last event will finalize not only the overall Team of the Year standings, but also the East division program. Wisconsin anglers Wayne Butz (Hobart) and Don Frederick (Appleton) have all but officially earned the honor of Team of the Year. East division Team of the Year will be a shoot-out for points for a number of teams fishing this event.

“Points determine cash bonus payouts for the top five teams in both the division and MWC Challenge, which is for overall team of the year,” shared Kristine Houtman, director of the MWC. “And it also finalizes the Championship roster for 2009 which is definitely a goal for a lot of teams.”

Currently, 63 teams have signed on creating a tournament payout of $35,280, plus $3,650 potential in sponsor prize bonuses. Add on $20,000 for Challenge Team of the Year and $4,620 for East Division Team of the Year bonuses and that means over $63,000 will be paid out at the end of this event – and big honors awarded.

“This tournament isn’t just about who wins at Dunkirk – although that is, of course, a great honor,” added Houtman. “It is the end of the 2008 season and the opportunity to award Team of the Year which is a big deal in the MWC.” Butz and Frederick agree. “It means a lot to Freddie and me,” shared Butz. “We’ve worked long and hard in the MWC, every year since 1997 coming in 2nd one year and 5th a couple of other years. Team of the Year has been a goal every year that we’ve fished the circuit and we are excited to be in such a great position this year.” Team of the Year points are like golf – the lower the better. Butz and Frederick are currently sitting with the lowest points in the books – and are done with their four events. That means that no other team – regardless of whether they would win Dunkirk – would be able to bump them from the top spot.

However, East Division Team of the Year is still heating up for a hot race. Ohioans Jason Kopf (Avon Lake) and Mike Miller (Brunswick) are in the lead – but the pressure will be on to produce at Dunkirk to capture Division honors. “We’re both looking forward to it,” shared Kopf. He and Mike talk almost every day about their next event and being ready. “We’ve been preparing since last fall non-stop – and our goal is to do well. It is an honor to succeed against the caliber of fishermen in the MWC. We’re having a fun year!”

A number of MWC sponsors have added contingency bonuses into the program. Some pay out for the top finishing team in their category – whether it is a win, 10th place or 50th place!

• Mercury - $500 bonus for winning team if they are powered with a Mercury Motor
• Ranger Cup/Mercury combo bonus of $500 for the top finishing team in Ranger Boat’s Ranger Cup owners program that is running a Mercury Motor
• Toyota Tundra - $1,000 bonus for the top finishing team towing their boat with a Toyota Tundra
• Ranger Cup - $1,000 bonus for the top finishing team in Ranger Boat’s Ranger Cup owners program
• FCIS - $250 bonus for the top finishing team on Team FCIS
• Oxygenator - $200 bonus for the top finishing team with an Oxygenator system in their livewell
• NPAA - $200 bonus for the top finishing two NPAA members ($100 each)

Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter for hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, is entering their seventh season as the title sponsor of the Masters Walleye Circuit. Official sponsors include North American Fishing Club, Versus, MotorGuide, Mercury, Lowrance Electronics, Toyota Trucks and Ranger Boats. Associate sponsors are Farm & City Insurance Services, The Inhibitor, O2 Oxygenator and Sticker Dude.

On Friday, August 22nd the MWC and NPAA will co-host a Youth & Family Fishing Clinic at the weigh-in site next to the Clarion Hotel in Dunkirk. Kids are invited to come down to watch the weigh-in and immediately following the anglers will host a clinic teaching the kids to rig up their very own fishing rod and reel. “Our sponsors have graciously donated funds so that we can bring rods, reels and tackle boxes for the kids,” shared Frank Pilney, NPAA #920 that has organized the clinics. “We teach the kids – and their parents – the basics with the hope that the whole family will learn to enjoy fishing.” Plus, kids can win a mountain bike, donated by Toyota, fully rigged to carry the new fishing equipment to the lake. This kid’s ultimate fishing machine will be awarded to one lucky winner in a random drawing immediately following the clinic.

The weigh-ins are open to the public and free to attend. Bring the family down and see some of the big fish that will be brought to the scale, beginning at 3:45 pm Friday and Saturday. If one of the two days holds inclement weather Sunday will be a make-up day.

Only the Championship remains on the 2008 schedule:

October 1-4, 2008 Lake Erie out of Dundee/Monroe, Michigan

For more information please visit the MWC website at www.masterswalleyecircuit.com or contact MWC headquarters at 877-893-7947 or by email at: events@masterswalleyecircuit.com.

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