LAKE MILLS, IA (August 25, 2011) Norsemen Outdoors and “Mr Walleye®” Specialties are proud to announce their new line of Ice Rods.  These rods were designed by legendary angler Gary Roach of Merrifield, MN.  Known to millions of anglers across the country as “Mr. Walleye®”, Gary has literally written the book when it comes to catching this popular game fish.  For well over forty years the name “Gary Roach” has been synonymous with catching Walleye and educating anglers across the country on how to do the same.  Gary has been inducted into both the National Fishing Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame which serves as testimony to his angling prowess.  Gary has been a true pioneer in the development of specialized walleye angling techniques and the design of hundreds of products specific to this species. Introducing for the 2011 Ice season are 10 models ranging from our 17” “Peak-A-Boo^tm” Ultra Light to the robust 42” Lake Trout Rod.  All rods feature a blended graphite making them sensitive, yet sturdy for extreme cold conditions.  The 20” to 42” models feature a shaved cork handle to help seat the real to the handle, and all come with ultra strong graphite slip rings to lock the real in place.                                                                                                                                       

About Norsemen Outdoors, Inc., a U.S. company based in Lake Mills, IA. is dedicated to providing top quality, innovative products to the leisure time industry.  Major brands include StowMaster Premium Landing nets, ESP High Performance Fishing Rods and Mr. Walleye® branded fishing rods and combos.  Every Norsemen Outdoor product possesses groundbreaking design and is created through sophisticated manufacturing processes.  The results are some of the most convenient, versatile and high performance oriented products on the market.  Norsemen Outdoors, Inc. taps into more than 35 years of experience of providing top quality products to customers worldwide.

About Norsemen Outdoors, Inc., a U.S. company based in Lake Mills, IA. is dedicated to providing top quality, innovative products to the leisure time industry. Major brands include StowMaster Premium Landing nets, ESP High Performance Fishing Rods and Mr. Walleye branded fishing rods and combos. Every Norsemen Outdoor product possesses groundbreaking design and is created through sophisticated manufacturing processes. The results are some of the most convenient, versatile and high performance oriented products on the market. Norsemen Outdoors, Inc. taps into more than 35 years of experience of providing top quality products to customers worldwide. For more information on Mr. Walleye Custom Rods visit us at www.norsemenoutdoors.com.

The new Guardian™ protective netting resolves this problem and utilizes a proprietary coating process developed by StowMaster that provides a superior non-abrasive finish to prevent roughing. This new super-mesh is amazingly soft, more subtle and extremely durable thanks to the special rubberized coating and braided multi- strand nylon inner core. Months of testing in both fresh and harsh saltwater environments confirm it is up to any task at hand. The end result is a net that is extremely lightweight, sweeps through the water with ease and offers the added benefit of a hook-less mesh for less tangles while providing the utmost protection for the fish.

StowMaster’s exclusive Guardian™ netting is available on select models of their Tournament and Saltwater Series premium landing nets and is available in two mesh sizes: 3/8” oval micro-mesh and ½” macro mesh. All StowMaster Tournament and Saltwater Series landing nets are made in the USA and feature StowMaster’s patented folding hoop design which allows the net to collapse down to half the size of other nets so they conveniently stow in the boats rod locker or other storage compartments. For more information on StowMaster premium folding nets and the new Guardian™ protective netting please visit www.norsemenoutdoors.com.

We are also approaching the market differently than most high performance rod companies who focus primarily on the bass market. We feel there is a definite need for high performance rods targeting the ultra-light finesse angler. There is a huge market out there for the avid Crappie, Bream and Trout anglers wanting more choices in true high performance actions and the need for increased sensitivity and feel” The initial response to our rods has been phenomenal and we have already had numerous requests to expand our designs into the bass and walleye segments. All I can say at this point, stay tuned for future updates!”

ESP Rods™ are being offered in twelve high performance spinning models that span Ultra-light, light, and powerlite actions in lengths from 5’ to a 12’ Crappie jig pole. All rods feature high modulus IM6 graphite blanks with very unique extra fast tapered actions designed to optimize performance for fishing light line/lure applications. Incredibly lightweight, most ESP models weigh less than 2 ounces yet sport actions that angler’s will immediately recognize as high performance. Suggested retails range from $59.99 on base models to $99.99 for the specialty 12’ Crappie jig pole. For more information on ESP™ Rods and the complete line of Norsemen Outdoors products visit us at norsemenoutdoors.com.

SUN CITY WEST, ARIZ.— George L. Boehm, 93, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. He was born on September 24, 1914 in Menominee, Mich. and lived most of his life in Racine and Elmwood Park.

He graduated from St. Catherine’s high school and attend the University of Wisconsin, Madison. During World War II, he was chief tool designer for Massey Harris, producing combat tanks He worked for S.C. Johnson and Son, Inc. for 25 years retiring in 1975 as Marketing Manager of the Service Products Division. In retirement, he provided marketing consulting services to Johnson affiliates in Spain, Brazil and Italy; designed the Pac-Net line of folding landing nets (now Stowmaster) for which he received several patents; and developed property in Montana.

George was instrumental in the incorporation of Elmwood Park and served as its first president. He was an accomplished violinist, cellist and pianist, skilled fly fisherman, champion tennis player, and avid hunter and golfer.

He is survived by his wife, Sachie; daughter, Margaret (Sidney) Stuart of Clancy, Mont., son, William (Margaret) of Marco Island, Fla.; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Elizabeth (nee: Hoppe) Boehm; wife, Grace; brothers, Richard, Henry, Raymond, Clements and William; and sisters, Helen, Marian, and Elizabeth. His body has been donated to medical research. A memorial service will be announced later.

Published in the Racine Journal Times on 3/1/2008.

PORT ARKANSAS, Texas: Tadd VanDemark, of Key Largo, Fla., and Kevin Shaw, of Corpus Christi, Texas, caught a six-redfish total weighing 48 pounds, 1 ounce to win a wire-to-wire victory at the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Western Division event in Port Aransas presented by Evinrude. The top prize of $50,000 included a $12,500 Ranger bonus and a $12,500 Evinrude bonus.

Fishing a 22-foot Ranger bay boat with a 250-hp Evinrude E-Tec engine, the winners topped the first two days of competition. They reached the final round with a four-redfish total weighing 30 pounds, 13 ounces and sealed the deal with a 17-pound, 4-ounce effort Saturday.

‘It’s absolutely incredible,’ VanDemark said. ‘We felt like we could (win), but we weren’t going to be overconfident,’ VanDemark said. ‘We just concentrated on doing our job. In this kind of tournament you can make no mistakes and we didn’t make any mistakes. We made all the right choices.’

VanDemark said his team’s key decision was to leave the fish biting on day two and preserve plenty of action for a strong finish. The winners fished about 50 miles south of Port Aransas in the Lower Laguna Madre and caught their fish in 3-6 feet of water over the remains of an old railroad trestle.

‘We decided (yesterday) that all we needed to do was to make the top five,’ he said. ‘We knew that if we could get to the top five today, we could do well. We knew the big fish were there, but we didn’t pick on them yesterday.’

The top anglers threw 1/4-ounce weedless gold spoons and 1/4-ounce DOA C.A.L. jig heads with silver mullet, Arkansas shad, and avocado tails dipped in Carolina Lunker Sauce fish attractant. They caught about 12 redfish Saturday, with their heaviest two coming at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. VanDemark said they released a fish that weighed over eight pounds.

‘We were burning the baits, reeling just as fast as we could,’ VanDemark said. ‘We were sight-fishing these fish. Even in six feet of water, they would hump up at the surface. When we’d see this, we’d burn the baits through them.’

Rounding out the top five teams are Chief Tauzin and Clark Jordan, both of Pearland, Texas (six redfish, 44 pounds, $6,746); Travis Holeman and Peter Young, both of Luling, La. (six redfish, 42 pounds, 14 ounces, $3,036 plus $1,000 Evinrude bonus); Danny Adams and Scott Isbell, both of Rockport, Texas (six redfish, 42 pounds, 14 ounces, $2,698, plus $1,000 Ranger bonus and $1,000 Yamaha bonus); and Blake Pizzolato, of Montgomery, Texas, and Dwayne Eschete, of Mandeville, La. (six redfish, 37 pounds, 7 ounces, $2,358 plus $1,000 Ranger bonus and $1,000 Yamaha bonus).

Teams caught 10 redfish Saturday weighing 66 pounds, 14 ounces. All were released alive.

Qualifying tournaments in the $1.9 million Wal-Mart Redfish Series; the most lucrative redfish tournament trail in the world, are three day events. Up to 150 teams compete Thursday and Friday, and the top five teams, based on heaviest combined weight, advance to Saturday’s final round. The winning team is determined Saturday based on the heaviest three-day accumulated weight.

The FLW Redfish Series consists of two divisions,Eastern and Western. Each division is comprised of four qualifying events with a $200,000 purse for each event. The top 100 teams, 50 from each division after four qualifying events — will qualify for the three day, no entry fee $300,000 Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Championship to be held in Orange Beach, Ala., Oct. 18-20. The championship winner will take home as much as $100,000.

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail presented by Abu Garcia, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series. These circuits offer combined purses of nearly $43 million through 241 events in 2007.

Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most-respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as an FLW Outdoors sponsor in 1997 and today is the world’s leading supporter of tournament fishing. For more information about Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.

This week’s FLW Redfish Series event at Port Aransas is presented by Evinrude Outboards.

The team of Jeff Munson from Coon Valley, WI and Thomas Oldenburg from Stoddard, WI took home the $1800 first place check at the I.O.W.A. Team Walleye Tournament Trail opener on the Mississippi River at Lansing on Sunday, April 1.

Their four-fish weight of 9.36 pounds gave them the victory. Second place and a check for $1080 went to the team of Jerry Boardman from Desoto, WI and Gary Schriener from Rock Falls, IL with a three-fish weight of 7.13 pounds.

David Smithburg, from Libertyville, IA and Greg Lowenberg from Fairfield, IA took the third place check of $790 with a three-fish weight of 6.58 pounds.

This is a great fishery, said Dean Higgins, I.O.W.A. Executive Director, but the combination of high water, rain and wind really affected things. Its a credit to these teams to catch the fish they did under these conditions.

Several other special awards were also awarded at the tournament. The winners also earned the Smooth Moves Seat Mounts Award of two $100 certificates towards a Smooth Move Seat.

The Berkley Big Fish Award of two IM7 Graphite Berkley Tactix rods and two Mitchell Avocet Gold Series reels went to the team of Scott and Mike Peterson from Ogden, IA with a 3.66-pound walleye.

The team of Mike and Doug Rodwell from Oskaloosa, IA won the $100 gift certificate for taking the Cabelas Family Team award for the highest placing family team. They finished in fourth place with a three-fish weight of 6 pounds even.

The Net Your Cash Award of $100 from StowMaster Net went to Smithburg and Lowenberg as the highest placing team using a StowMaster net.

The Need Macks Lure Award of two $100 Macks Lure certificates went to the team of Jack Davis from Mason City, IA and Ole Peterson from Prairie du Chien WI.

Munson and Oldenburg found their success south of Victory, pulling #7 Jointed Rapalas behind three-way rigs. We started the morning pitching jigs, but then switched to three-way rigs, said Oldenburg. The key to the presentation was slow, slow, slow.

We always pulled into the current, and at times we werent even moving. We just let the current work the bait, added Oldenburg.

This became especially effective when they could hover right over structure or a hump. Knowing the bite would be a tough one, the first fish, a 3 pounder, helped ease the pressure. We took our biggest fish on the first troll and two more on the second troll, said Oldenburg.

The runner up and third place teams caught their fish using jigs. Boardman and Schriener worked their 3/8-ounce jigs in 12-14 feet of water along the current lines. Boardman said, We had two within the first 45 minutes, and then we lost two big ones. Finally, we caught the third keeper about 12:30.

Boardman noted that the bite had been tough all spring, and Sunday was no different.

Smithburg and Lowenberg pitched their jigs toward shore and then bounced them back. We used 1/2 ounce jigs tipped with plastic ring worms, said Smithburg. They put their kicker in gear to handle about 90 percent of the current and then used their front troller to keep the bow of the boat straight. Smithburg added, We knew it was a morning bite. By 9 oclock, we had three fish, then lost another one about 9:30, and it was over.

In looking back at the first tournament, Munson and Oldenburg noted the respect shown by the field of competitors. We trolled along the area where some other teams were pitching jigs up toward shore, said Oldenburg. Our plan was to make our troll and then go around the other teams. When the teams saw we were catching fish, they actually moved out of the road for us as we made our trolling run.

With one tournament now over, the I.O.W.A. teams begin making plans for the second tournament, which will be at Storm Lake on Sunday, April 22. “Tough as it was, Im proud of our teams. I look for a great qualifier at Storm Lake. It has an excellent walleye population,” added Higgins.

All of the latest news on the I.O.W.A. circuit can be found at the I.O.W.A. website (www.walleyepromotions.com). Anglers interested in learning more about the I.O.W.A circuit can call (515) 571-1085 or they can email the I.O.W.A. staff at walleyepromotions@hotmail.com.

Corporate sponsors for the 2007 I.O.W.A Team Walleye Tournament Trail include Lund, Mercury Outboards, ShoreLand’r Trailers, Algona Marine and Sport, MinnKota, Humminbird, Berkley, Cabela’s, Mack’s Lure, Smooth Move Seat Mounts, StowMaster, Hooters and Farm & City Insurance Services of Forest City.

IOWA Qualifier – Mississippi River Results from WalleyeFIRST.com

Bruce “Doc” Samson won his fourth PWT tournament, the Lund Pro-Am, part of the In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail Super Pro series. He was competing against the top 60 walleye pros in the world on Otter Tail Lake in west-central Minnesota.

The Super Pro series, presented by MinnKota, is an invitational, based on past tournament successes. Samson, Minnetrista, Minn., won the $55,000 first prize. Second-place pro Daryl Christensen, Montello, Wis., won $15,000. Mark Christianson, Walker, Minn., was third for $10,000.

Samson’s 34.49 pounds was six better than second and nearly 10 more than third. He primarily fished slip bobbers, with the key being 1/16th ounce Northland Thumper jigs. “The tiny spinners on the bottom of the jigs made the difference,” he said. He also credited a tremendous number of hours studying maps over the winter, then saving his trails and best spots each evening on his computer, and reviewing his findings. Samson fished rocky reefs mostly in the mid-lake area. He also found some rock piles on Diamond Flat that produced.

Christensen captured second place by casting one-fourth ounce Hopkins spoons with Mustad round bend red #6 hooks. He added no bait and jigged the spoons back to the boat in short hops in 7 to 14 feet of water. The third place Christiansen rigged his way to success.

Anglers trolled crankbaits, ran spinners behind bottom bouncers, plus the tactics described by the top three, and tried everything imaginable to put a PWT limit of four walleyes in the boat each day. The walleyes were donated to the Ottertail Nursing Home, the Battle Lake Good Sam Home and the Fergus Falls Veterans Home.

The Ottertail Country Association and Lund Boats cooperated to bring the PWT to the area and provided the many volunteers necessary for the success of the mission. Both received PWT Superior Achievement Awards. The final day crowd of 2,000 walleye fans enjoyed the stage ceremonies and the PWT Outdoor Festival.

Special awards went to amateur/co-angler winner Bruce Boyne, Wadena, Minn. He won the $15,000 Lund boat, which he announced on stage would be traded immediately on the new Lund 2010 model, a 20-foot tiller with a Merc 175. Boyne also won $500 for the Coleman Big Fish he caught with Christianson on day two. Christianson won $1,500. Christianson also won the E-Cell Heavyweight award of $1,000 for the largest catch of the tournament, 14.22 pounds. Coleman Cool Under Pressure awards went to Dan Plautz, Muskego, Wis., for advancing 44 places, and amateur Chris Roehl, Elizabeth, Minn., for moving up 48 places.

Bill Ortiz, Richland Center, Wis., took over the Johnsonville Brats Angler of the Year race. He finished fourth at Ottertail, and was 15th at Chamberlain, SD, the first Super Pro. Standings, photos and bios are posted on the PWT website: professionalwalleyetrail.com. The Super Pros next tour stop is in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in Houghton June 28-30.

The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America’s leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing’s Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner and the Ottertail Country Tourism, 218.758.2716.

PWT Super Pro Qualifier – Ottertail Lake Results from WalleyeFIRST.com

Veteran In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail anglers Bruce Samson and Daryl Christensen remained the top two pros in the Lund Pro-Am at Ottertail, Minn. Samson from Minnetrista, Minn., and Christensen from Montello, Wis., flopped positions from day one.

They are competing in the Super Pro series presented by Minn Kota on Otter Tail Lake, a 13,000 acre natural lake filled with an amazing amount of structure in west-central Minnesota. The 60 Super Pros fished a dozen tactics on hundreds of miles of rock and sand breaks and patrolled weed edges.

On Thursday, June 15, at the final day weigh-in, the pros will share their secrets at the Ottertail Fairgrounds (near the water tower). Festivities start about 5:30 p.m.

A large crowd of walleye fans and families enjoyed the PWT Outdoor Festival, set-up adjacent to the weigh-in stage. Free activities include a rock climbing wall and a “host your own PWT television show” simulator presented by the Outdoor Channel. The free trout fishing pond is sponsored by Cabela’s and Shakespeare with youngsters able to win rod and reel combos and tackle bags. The free shooting gallery (air rifles) is presented by GAMO. These activities open at 1 p.m., and run through the final-day stage ceremonies.

Samson and Christensen have five PWT victories combined, and look to add one more trophy and the $55,000 first prize to one of their collections. Both have won more than $200,000 on the PWT tour. Samson, with 24.81 pounds is about one pound ahead of Christensen, and about seven pounds ahead of Super Pro Mark Christianson, Walker, Minn.

The Minnesotan Christianson scored the E-Cell Heavyweight of the tournament through two days, 14.22 pounds for his PWT limit of four walleyes. He fished with amateur/co-angler Bruce Boyne, Wadena, Minn., and landed the Coleman Big Fish of the tournament through two days. It weighed 6.62 pounds, and could mean $2,000 for the partners. The E-Cell Heavyweight pays $1,000. Boyne leads the amateur division, and if he retains his position will win a $15,000 Lund boat and Mercury outboard on an E-Z Loader trailer.

Mark Martin, Twin Lake, Mich., a 2-time PWT winner and the original Mercury Champion, jumped from 49th place to fourth on the back of a 12.94-pound catch on day two. Bay City, Mich. pro Bill St. Peter moved to fifth place with 16 pounds for two days. Each Pro-Am boat could keep four walleyes, with two in excess of 20 inches per day. The fish were filleted and donated to the Ottertail Nursing Home, the Battle Lake Good Sam Home and the Fergus Falls Veterans Home.

The PWT is an integral element of the In-Fisherman Communications Network headquartered in Brainerd, Minnesota, and PRIMEDIA, America’s leading producer of targeted media. PWT promotional partners include: Mercury Marine, Lund, The Outdoor Channel, Berkley, Optima Batteries, Realtree, MotorGuide, Lowrance, MinnKota, Trilene, Frenzy, Blue Fox, Powerbait, Johnsonville Brats, Northland Fishing Tackle, Lindy Legendary Fishing Tackle, GULP!, Coleman, Storm, Tommy Docks, Smooth Moves Seat Mounts, E-Village, Kwik Pfyt, Raymarine, Rapala, Pflueger, Ram rod holders, Gerbing’s Heated Clothing, Aqua-Vu, Plano, Stowmaster.net, Navionics, Yellow Bird, Beckman, Drift Control, Gemini Sport Marketing, Yo-Zuri , Reef Runner and the Ottertail Country Tourism, 218.758.2716.

PWT Super Pro Qualifier – Ottertail Lake Results from WalleyeFIRST.com