2008 will be the third year that we've had an "exhibition" tournament for an MWC West division. Perhaps it is time for us to discuss a full west division.

If you are an angler that would like to see the MWC expand to three tournaments in a west division -- and would like to serve on the Angler Advisory Panel to work toward such a goal -- please let me know. AAP members advise on dates, locations, boundaries, regulations, etc for their tournaments. This would be for 2009 at the earliest.

Best by email....khoutman@namginc.com

Thanks,

Kristine

Kristine,
Greetings from South Dakota.
It would be great to get a West Division of the MWC going here in the Dakota's. Now that the LPTWC folded, a lot of fishermen are looking for a well run circuit to come here. MWC has always been of interest but a majority of the tournaments were held too far away. It would be great to get a division to the Missouri, Devil's and potentially some NE South Dakota lakes. Let me know if you have any further questions regarding getting this going!
Regards,
Bryan

Was just getting into the LPTWC and it folded, definetly need something to replace it.

Mike Dorris
Madison, SD

I personally think this is a great idea and is needed for South Dakota anglers. I consider myself a SD angler, because that's the only place I fish

For myself, the entry fee and costs might keep me on the sideline, but for the diehard tournament angler, this is a great concept. If I can help in any manner, please let me know!!

I am all for it!

I'd love to have a viable, well run circuit come to the Dakota's. We've had the USFA, WWA, Casino Cup, and the LPTW. Hopefully the MWC would be able to pull something off for us to fish.

Lets get this going, I have missed the MWC since they left a few years back other than the exhibition ones, I fished it evertime it was on Big Stone Lake and once on Green Bay. What a well run tournament cant wait for it to come west I would fish all three.

Kristine,

We've been waiting..........

Some suggestions:
Bismarck in April
Mobridge in May
Devils Lake in June
Sakakawea in Summer
Big Stone, Traverse, Ottertail, Leech, Cass, Winnie, Mille Lacs and NE SD lakes
Lake of the Woods may be too far of a hike.

Big Stone in Spring

How about a Pacific Northwest Division in 2010?

WA, OR, WY, MT?

Hey guys -- glad to hear the enthusiasm.

I know some of you want this to be REALLY West -- but that's not really likely getting started. If we have success with something focused on the Dakotas (and one other state -- some years could be Minnesota, other years Nebraska or whatever) then we could start yet another division. (Don't tell my staff -- they won't have ANY weekends for their home life!!!) :-)

But let's walk before we run. We look forward to making this a reality. It will take anglers support and Sponsors support for this to become a "go" for 2009. I hope so. Your support and encouragement is helpful. What will REALLY be helpful is getting our Devils Lake numbers up for August 9th and 10th.

We get those up over 60 boats and I know that will send a big message.

Thanks for your comments and encouragement.

Currently looking for someone from North Dakota to sit on the West AAP. I have two SoDak anglers -- would like a NoDak as well. Maybe someone else from Minnesota? I can take 4.

We would invite 5% (minimum) of the number of unique teams in the 2009 West division to the Championship in 2010. So....if 160 unique teams in the 2009 season that's 8 teams to the Championship. Plus West Division team of the year purse that would accumulate at $30 per team....that's $4800. 65% to first place West division team of the year...in this scenario that's $3120 then 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th each split the remaining 35% -- or $420 each. Plus...we give trophies to the top finishing West Division Father & Son Team (technically Family team, could be mother/son, father/daughter, etc) and also West Division Husband/Wife team.

The Championship is held the following year -- making it easier to plan for people who work for a living and have to manage vacation schedules, etc. The field size ranges from 40 on a small year to 69 the largest I've seen in a big year. Purse is currently $100,000 but we'll bump that up with another division to at least $110,000 or more. ALL places are paid out at the championship. Here's what this year's payout is....

1st - $25,000 8th - $3,000
2nd - $12,000 9th - $2,000
3rd - $8,000 10th - $1,500
4th - $7,000 11th thru 25th - $1,000
5th - $6,000 26th thru 30th - $900
6th - $5,000 31st thru 35th - $800
7th - $4,000 36th thru 41st - $700

Total: $101,200


Plus...if a West division team decides to pick up one additional tournament -- we call that the MWC Challenge. It puts you into an elite group. The Challenge group gets 20% invited to the Championship -- another way to get in. Fully 1/2 of all teams the last two years that picked up a Challenge tournament made the Championship....so it definitely improves your odds.

Plus...the overall team of the year for the MWC is the team with the best points in the Challenge. That purse is $20,000 for the top five. 65% -- or $13,000 to the team of the year and the rest split to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th -- $1750 each.

So it is really GREAT to get a full division. Makes a huge difference in committing to a season.

Hope this helps your discussions and planning.

stay in touch....

Kristine

Kristine & AAP,

Hello from the Great Faces state and the home of awesome fishing and hunting. We are excited about the West Division and we have plans to support your decisions.

The first year locations look great. I noticed there was discussion about which month to hold a tournament in Mobridge.

Last year the GF&P enacted an interesting rule for tournaments in SD. There was a bad deal a couple years ago in Pierre. Now they want us to kill all fish after June 1st. Holding a May, 2009 tournament would allow a release of healthy fish.

Again, thanks much for looking West with the ultimate team tourney organization.

Respectfully,

Lynn Jurrens