More “madness” than walleyes might have been this year’s theme, although after the 3 day event the bite really took off.  Still though, some nice fish did make their appearance and a good time was had by all.

Above is George Benger and his winning entry in the “best walleye photo” of the contest.  22.75 inches of walleye madness.  Photo evidence that George actually smiles!

Hmmm….hold fish vertically…..hold cigarette horizontally.  Or is the fish horizontal……?

…….oh, damn!  Now what?

……that’s right.  Get rid of the smoke and concentrate on the fish.

Ken Zitzow demonstrates the proper pose for best walleye documentation.

Tim Rosentreter, and another nice photo.  No signs of rug burn and cigarette ash.

Ron Zitzow fails to read the rules of the competition that states: “Only released fish may be entered into the competition”…..nice try anyways Ron!

My entry for the contest was also disqualified on a technicality.  Why is the turtle smiling?

Proof that it’s not all lounging around, eating minnows, when you are a walleye in Eagle Lake.  Sometimes you are on the menu!

Note the high standards of documentation required during walleye madness week.  Not quite 23 inches.  The walleye seems interested as well.

The awards night and pot luck dinner was a highlight of the competition.

In the end the 3 finishers were only separated by 1/2 inch.  A tight race, the winner sqeaks by with a 23 incher.  Shown here is Erling Olson carting off his winnings, and for the rest of the week wallowing in his title of “Walleye Master”.    Second spot was George Benger with a 22.75 fish and in third Tim Rosentreter with a 22.5 incher.  Congratulations all.

Meanwhile….

Two of the guests this week hired a guide (Greg… Eagle Eye Guiding) for a day of musky fishing.  Turns out the biggest walleye caught during the contest was this 28 incher…….caught in the weeds on a musky bait!  Unfortunately since Greg caught the fish it wasn’t part of the contest, but it was a good reminder how diverse these fish can be in their locations.  Here’s a few more photos of Hunter and Kingsley Grant’s day on the water…..

No muskies were caught but some close calls and a number of follows made it an exciting day.