Emo walleye derby kicks off

And they’re off!
The 53 teams competing in the third-annual Emo Walleye Classic set off early Friday morning in search of fame, fortune, and, of course, fish.
There was an air of excitement and anticipation as the boats completed their checks and departed in two flights, with the first leaving at 8 a.m. and the second at 8:30.
Amber Hughes, one of seven women in the derby, flew in from Denver, Colo. to fish with her father, Irwin.
“I [hope to] do a little better than last year. We only caught three fish all tournament,” she noted. “We’re going to try everything this year, no holds barred.”
Most anglers seem to have brought a variety of different bait to use, ranging from minnows, worms, and leeches to crankbaits and shiners.
There has been much speculation as to what kind of fishing this year’s conditions will bring. The Rainy River is about 10 feet higher this year than it was last spring and the current is stronger.
The increase in current likely will impact the anglers’ ability to use electronic trolling equipment, so many have had to make alternate arrangements.
Doug McBride and Steve Ballan brought along an extra set of batteries in case the first set burned out.
On the bright side, high water often means more fish—and at least the anglers won’t have to worry as much about rocks or sand bars.
“High water and current are conducive to catching lots of fish,” said Lionel Robert, one of the founders of the derby and this year’s emcee. “This year I think we’re going to see some weights like we’ve never seen before.”
Robert added though he’s not convinced this year’s big fish will top last year’s 8.8-pound whopper, he believes the overall weights will be higher.
“Some people have been skunked in the past, but I think 99 percent of these people will be weighing in fish,” he remarked.
The predictions for this year’s tournament vary significantly from angler to angler. Some have reported rather unsuccessful pre-fishing, but not according to Dorothy Leininger (Team 42).
Her husband is competing with another team, so as long as she beats him, she’ll be happy.
“This is our first year and we had a really good pre-fish,” she noted. “Anyone who tells you they haven’t been catching anything is lying, just trying to psych people out.”
Speculation aside, the proof will be in the pudding Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. when the anglers return from the first day to weigh-in their catch. The derby wraps up Saturday.
But win or lose, one common theme rang throughout the anglers this morning.
“We’re just here to have fun like we did last year, to have a good time,” said Irwin Hughes. “And hopefully catch a fish or two.”
The Emo Walleye Classic formally opened Thursday with the annual parade of boats and a fish fry afterwards.