Ken Johnston
Can Jason and Oliver Gibbins make it a “three-peat”?
Well, 178 other anglers will be doing all they can to make sure they don’t as the 12th-annual Rainy River Walleye Tournament gets underway this weekend.
The Gibbins won their second-straight RRWT title last year, making them the first repeat winners of the annual event.
Everything gets underway this Thursday at 4 p.m. with the boat parade. Then all 180 anglers (90 teams) will be treated to dinner before the annual rules meeting.
Beer gardens will open to the public at 7:30 p.m.
Then Friday, the three flights of teams will begin their quest for the $15,000 first prize and RRWT title at 8:45 a.m.
Activities under the big tent, located just west of the government dock, will begin at 11 a.m. when the Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary hosts pay-as-you-go Bingo.
Beer gardens will open at noon, with the silent auction beginning at 1 p.m.
The penny table opens at 3 p.m.
The Day 1 weigh-ins get underway at 4:45 p.m., be followed by the Ionic Lodge fish fry.
Then at 9 p.m., district band “Thinking of Pinky” takes to the stage under the big top.
Saturday morning starts with a pancake breakfast at 6 a.m., with the anglers departing at 7:45 a.m.
While they are out on the water, the very popular KidSport RRWT will begin at 10 a.m. at the government dock.
It is free and open to all kids under age 16.
The main event will take place starting at 3:15 p.m. when the Day 2 weigh-ins are held.
The top five boats from Day 1 will be held back until the end to create suspense.
When the top boat from Day 1 is done weighing in, the 2010 RRWT champs will be crowned.
The RRWT Junior Curlers boat raffle also will be drawn at that time, followed by a Legion steak fry under the tent.
At 5:30 p.m., there will be RRWT trivia.
Then at 9:45 p.m., the headliner band for the weekend, “All That,” will entertain at a dance under the tent.
As well, the “Dimestore Fisherman” TV show will be at the RRWT filming this year.
