I'm thinking of signing up for the SV Tournament. I have read the rules but need some info on what you do if the river is over flood stage. Please be very specific. THANK YOU. TOM PING

ANYONE HOME??? Just want to know if there's a policy on this before my partner and I invest $2500.00 in entry fees,gas, lodging, food and bait. I was not a part of last years tourney, but did get me thinking. Just want a competitive environment, and what to expect. Thank You in advance for a reply. Tom Ping

What they did last year is just called it off on the second day. The 4 guys lucky enough to keep the small fish on day one had a HUGE payout.

If it were me, I wouldn't waste the money. Spring is an unpredictable time for that river. You could get shafted by mother nature.

In the 22 years that the MWC has held tournaments on the Illinois River, quite a number of the years have experienced high water, or “flood” conditions. River fishing in the spring – early spring – runs that risk. If conditions warrant, the MWC will seek information and opinions from a variety of sources including the local conservation officer, Army Corp of Engineers responsible for that section of the river, executives of the Spring Valley Walleye Club and your MWC Angler Advisory Panel. After evaluating their input a decision will be made based on the conditions at that time. We reserve the right to reduce boundaries or reduce the amount of time fishing if conditions warrant. We reserve the right to cancel if conditions warrant. All anglers are advised that when tournament officials make a call regarding go/no-go on a tournament day each individual team always retains the right to not participate if the conditions are not acceptable to them. That is the case for Illinois River flood conditions as well as any site regarding wind, rain, lightning, etc.



You should note that changing your mind about fishing the tournament after submitting your registration FOR ANY REASON does not allow for a refund of your entry fee. There are never any refunds of entry fees. Our rules are clear about that.



However, if an entire tournament was not able to be held at all – or if everyone went out fishing but not a single fish was caught – the purse would be paid out equally to all that participated.



When you sign the participation agreement you agree that the tournament officials will interpret rules and make decisions and you agree to abide by the official decisions. Even if you disagree with an official call, you always retain the right to leave your boat on the trailer. That’s your choice – and your right at all times.

Just know that saftey is not the main concern with these tournaments. It is all about making sure you fish one way or the other. Sure you can elect to be sensible and not fish in certain conditions but you shouldn't expect your money back. Last year most of us were lucky to get our boats on the trailers with only minor damage. We all know we never should have been allowed to take off but I guess thats big business in the corporate fishing world. Hopefully this year will be better!!!!!!

Just saying thanks to Kristine and all the staff for all their hard work. Don't worry about all the griping, you can't please everyone.

With all the talk about the PWT going away and the FLW tournament also being less than what it was in earlier years I think everyone should appreciate the MWC and what it has as a track record over the years and the ability to fish the Tournament circuit if you so choose. In case anyone hasn't noticed things are rough out there with the current economy, so let's count our blessings.
In my case I haven't been able to fish the past few years because all my money is going to college tuitions right now,2 done, 2 in now and 2 more to go. Good luck to everyone in 2008 and have some fun out there while your at it! My kids always enjoyed the whole tournament experience from the fishing, to the radio interviews they got to do with local stations, and just the anticipation of the trip along with enjoying the weekend, going out to eat with Pops and taking advantage of any local entertainment. I'll be keeping up with all your progress throughout the year and hope to be fishing the circuit again soon.

Walleye Wacker's response seems bitter, and I'm sure it was due to last years flood. I have fished the MWC for 3 years. Even though I have not met any of my person goals yet, I have had positive experiences at all the tounaments. I think if Walleye Wacker was one of the teams to catch a fish last year his response would be different. Last year was terrible and all the knowledge in the world about the Illinois river could not have helped.

rob, I believe that is the question people are asking. If the conditions and the knowledge are taken out of the sport, should they release the anglers?

limitout, I see you point. I guess I am willing to give a "pass" if someone makes the wrong decison the once.

I was one lucky enough to fish last year. Didn’t catch a thing. The fishing was tough but it was fishable. Had a great time. As far as mother nature being unpredictable in the spring, I don’t know what makes it any different then any other time of year. I have been chased off all types of water other times of the year by tornados, high wind/waves, thunder storms, ect. If I was afraid of what mother nature was going to do I would not have never taken up tournament fishing. After all she is a very unpredictable. The only guarantee any time of year is that she will do something.

Its gettin kind of old listening to the negative comments. I was at SV last year in the flood and not once all day did I feel unsafe yeah it was miserable and the chances of catching a fish weren't very good but thats tournament fishing.If you drove slow and payed attention at all times u were fine. I think if the tourny was cancelled we would of had plenty of unhappy anglers also. I respect the decisions of the staff, they do not have easy job, keeping everybody satified is close to immpssible to do and they handle things the best they can. As a young angler that is trying to grow in this industry it is very unfortunate to see all the critcism. All the major walleye circuits seem to be moving backwards when they should only be getting better each year. Of course the economy is to blame for alot if it but it does not help one bit to have people constantly talking s*** about tournament organizations. We need to work together to try and get entry numbers up and to try and get as much attention from the public as possible this in return will keep the sponsors interested and that of course will keep this business moving ahead! I would recomend the MWC to anybody I think they put together a great schedual this year and I hope to get the chance to jump into a couple events.