Eric Lessman and Todd Grennier, the reigning Emo Walleye Classic champs, caught their first big break—pardon the pun—last year when they won their first fishing tournament together.
The two wouldn’t miss it again this year for the world—but they’ve got a good time on their minds as opposed to lofty podium ambitions.
“Oh yeah, I’m looking forward to it, like every year,” Lessman said earlier this month. “I cant say we’re expecting to do as well, but we’re at least hoping to come in with four fish a day.
“Top 10 would be beautiful,” he added.
“I’m thinking about it a lot more than the last few months,” Grennier admitted.
“I’m just going to hope we find a place to go fish and not hit bottom on the way there or back, and if we end up catching anything in between, I’d say we’re doing pretty good,” he added.
The 28-year-old pair captured first place in the 2006 EWC by a remarkably close margin. Their two-day total weight of 16.12 pounds just eclipsed the 16.08-pound haul by competitors Jody Shypit and Gary Noga.
“I’d almost have to say it was a string of bad luck for the other competitors because we had winning fish,” Lessman conceded. “We thought we might have third and it didn’t even cross our minds that we had winning fish.”
Grennier also wasn’t convinced of victory a year ago.
“Went out to fish with one of my best friends there . . . things just kinda worked out well for us,” he remarked.
Winning the tournament was “just a bonus,” Grennier added.
The win gained them some notoriety—and $11,000—but the duo insist their lives are pretty much the same a year later.
“Maybe it just feels like there’s more pressure, but other than that, just the same,” Grennier said. “You would kind of hate to win one year and then flop big time the next year.”
“Same old, same old,” echoed Lessman. “You get a little bit of ‘Hey, how’s it going’ and that’s about it.
“A lot more people asking you how the river’s been but other than that, it’s just like every other day.”
As the reigning EWC victors, the pair would be the logical source for advice for would-be ’07 champions. Grennier said all he can recommend is patience.
“I’d hope to be patient, but it’s pretty tough sometimes not to want to do things out of the extraordinary,” he added. “It’s all about having fun and it’s just easier to have fun when you’re doing well.
“Otherwise, you’ve got to find other ways to amuse yourself,” Grennier continued—with a lot of “cheesy comments and dry sense of humour.”
Lessman’s advice is even simpler.
“The only thing I can say is go out there with people you have fun with and try your hardest and have fun,” he said.
“You’re going to catch fish. Hopefully, they’re better than the next guy’s fish.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
