Concerns over water levels and weather conditions are nothing new to the Emo Walleye Classic. It seems varying weather patterns, and vastly different river levels, have plagued the tournament year after year.
Now entering its sixth year of existence, the EWC has overcome many challenges, beginning in 2003 with low water levels on the Rainy River. Then 2004 saw above-average river levels while 2005 brought threatening weather conditions and rising water levels.
Now once again, a mere two days before the tournament launch, water levels are down in the Rainy River and are creating obstacles for anglers.
The boat launches and dock are out of water, rocks that normally are submerged in the water are popping up in the middle of the channel possibly impeding boat traffic, and favourite fishing holes are all dried up.
EWC committee chairman Ed Carlson, who also fishes in the annual tournament, warned anglers must proceed with caution on the river and take note of their surroundings.
“The boaters will have to make sure they pay close attention when travelling,” stressed Carlson. “If a guy’s smart, he will be marking things down so he will remember where rocks and areas of concern are, as well as fish movement in these conditions for future reference.”
River levels this year could be comparable to those of 2003.
Accessibility to areas near Fort Frances may be limited to anglers with smaller vessels and even so, that may not be the case.
There is the possibility of boats not being able to clear a large rock ridge located about eight km east of Emo or sandbars that are exposed near where the Littlefork River meets the Rainy River, roughly 20 km downstream from Fort Frances.
If this is the case, the area of competition will be narrowed significantly.
“It’s going to be one big compacted area of boats all looking for fish,” remarked EWC angler Josh Pollard.
Pollard and teammate Sam Hayes, fishing the tournament for the first time, quickly are learning they won’t be able to rely on their favourite spots.
As such, they’ll have to come up with some new strategies in order to adapt to low-water fishing if they want to climb the podium.
“I’ve been trying our old spots and I’ve not been having a lot of luck,” Pollard admitted. “I think with the low water, the fish are probably moving around a lot looking for deeper water.”
With large rocks and a lot of land visible in the river, Pollard suggested anglers with smaller boats and engines will be at an advantage this year. They’ll be able to maneuver through the obstacles easier and have better trolling abilities.
“I have a smaller boat and I plan on doing a lot of trolling,” explained Pollard. “I think guys with larger boats are going to have trouble with all the rocks and may not even want to run their boats in the river.”
In a tournament where time is of the essence, anglers won’t be happy that time may damper their chances of winning the EWC more than ever before. With the low water, anglers will spend more time than usual travelling to and from their destinations—meaning less time with their rods in the water.
“It sucks that we will lose fishing time, but most importantly we need to take enough time to get places without hitting something and causing damage,” he stressed.
Still, EWC anglers are used to obstacles and have dealt with them—and the tournament has gone ahead regardless.
“Low water and rocks are always a concern, but they are manageable,” said Carlson. “We should be all right.”
Perhaps the key to success at this year’s EWC will be a team’s versatility.
With Mother Nature always trying her best to throw a wrench, anglers and organizers always should be prepared for the worst.
“Maybe I will take my snowsuit out there and even a ice auger, just in case,” joked Pollard.
So it seems the greatest testament to any EWC is how a pair emerges from the group as tournament champs amid wild conditions.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
