I seen a few of the "Pros" rolling thru town today heading to the hotels. I will be out fishing next week just not in the tourney. Then it is SAUGERAMA for me
This is the first day of the Professional Walleye Trail’s year-end tournament featuring 120 top anglers partnered with 120 amateurs for a three-day catch and release tournament.
Weigh-in, 3:15–5:30 p.m.
Come watch the pros at the official weigh-in station near the Lakefront Park bathhouse and check out the leader board for the tournament.
Thursday, Oct. 16
Food and beverage vendors open, 3–9:30 p.m.
Enjoy a variety of festival foods in Lakefront Park.
Boat show and market place, 3–9:30 p.m.
Boats, gear and tackle all on display; vendors available with goods for sale. Education in the Wisconsin DNR and National Park Service booths.
Weigh-in, 3:15–5:30 p.m.
Big Top Chautauqua, 6:30–9 p.m.
Come celebrate the 40th anniversary of the St. Croix River’s designation as a National Scenic River Way. The Blue Canvas Orchestra led by Warren Nelson will perform Wild Woods & Waters — A Celebration of the St. Croix River. The program in the band shell includes a wide range of original bluegrass & folk music and a large screen slide show as the backdrop for nine musicians. The concert is free.
Friday, Oct. 17
Food and beverage vendors open, 1–6:30 p.m.
Boat show and market place, 3–6:30 p.m.
Weigh-in, 3:15–5:30 p.m.
This is the final evening of weigh-in for the preliminary three-day fishing tournament. Awards for pros and amateurs will be given out at the year-end banquet Saturday, Oct. 18.
All American Lumberjack Show, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Lumberjacks opened the land to farms and cities, helped build America and became the legends of the forest. The tales of their feats are as big as a pine tree and lumberjacks always claimed to be the best. The legend lives on in the All American Lumberjack Show with teams performing in exciting lumberjack events, 10,000 gallons of water and everyone comes out a winner. Free event.
Bassmeister Shows, 3 and 4:30 p.m.
This free family entertainment show features puppets and ballooning that interact with the audience.
Taste Of Hudson: A Food, Wine & Beer Experience, 6:30–11:30 p.m.
The event will feature a sampling of the best contemporary cuisine from nine of the Hudson area restaurants along with a selection of wines and craft beers from the region in the main festival tent. Entry Passes can be purchased at the Chamber office for $65/each or by calling 800-657-6775.
Saturday, Oct. 18
Food & beverage vendors open, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
PWT Shoot Out
The top 50 anglers from North America will participate in a one-day eight hour catch and release fishing tournament. Awards given out at the banquet tonight at 6:30 p.m.
Weigh-in, 3:15–5:30 p.m.
Boat show and market place, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Family Fishing Clinic, 10-10:45 a.m.
Lakefront Band Shell. Attend free presentation, “Learning to Dream Over a Bobber.” Bring your fishing poles and parents — learn tips and techniques.
Children’s activity area, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Look for the activity area at the south side of the park. Activities for all ages including climbing wall, inflatables, giant slide, log rolling, fishing activities with St. Croix Valley YMCA, Hudson Home Depot Kids Workshop and more (fee for inflatables).
Bassmeister Shows, 10 a.m., noon, 4 and 5:30 p.m.
The Abdomen, 2–3:30 p.m.
Minneapolis based sibling pop-rock band The Abdomen features Mari Abdo on drums/vocal, Matt Abdo on keyboard/guitar/vocals and Jake Abdo on bass/vocals. Watch for new CD release during the free performance.
All American Lumberjack Show, 11 a.m., 1, 3:30 and 5 p.m.
PWT Awards Banquet, 6:30–11 p.m.
Come and celebrate with the pros. Entry passes are $25 for barbecue banquet and cash bar and are available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce. Event is in main festival tent and is open to the public. Call (715) 386-8411 to purchase entry passes.
6:30 p.m., social hour (cash bar); 7 p.m., dinner, awards and music; 8 p.m. auction includes Rick Kelley original painting.
The 2008 event brochure and schedule is available online at wwwhudsonwi.org.
I hope to catch part of the weighins on Wed,Thurs and Sat. I think its going to be very interesting to see what kind of weights these guys come up with. I know a few of the local River Rats that will fishing on the Pro side. It sure has been cool seeing the Pro rigs around town the last week and a half.
I'll be at the weigh in Thursday, possibly on Friday. I have a feeling the weights on average, will stay low. Winner will be around 36# for three days.
see you guys down there. I have a funeral to go to in IA on Saturday. at least I will see a few days of the weigh-ins. i have a feeling that the weights might be higher than expected
Quote: . i have a feeling that the weights might be higher than expected
It is anyones tourney at this time. I am still sticking to my original 12-20 pounds a day, per boats that are on fish. I got the chance to get out and fish with one of the PWT guys today. Will be writing a post about it. We talked to one of other PWT guys while out fishing and he had a "guide" from Stillwater showing him spots on the river and he said he has not been on many fish at all.
caught some of the weigh ins today. Just got there and they weighed four fish at almost 28lbs. Saw acouple at 18 and 19lbs. Some real good planing by the town of Hudson. 150 guys standing around and no beer tent. People just don't know how to make money.
PWT HUDSON
You and Scott Hale both placed really well against the 80 Pros you fished with. Good work!! 