Upper Midwest Bass Challenge takes on Willow Flowage

On Sunday, June 23 Central Division anglers of the Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series found themselves on the Willow Flowage. Several years ago, the Willow became a favorite of many bass tournament anglers as they learned that quality fish were not only available but plentiful in the system. While there were still big fish to be had on tournament day, fishing was tough.

“After a week of rain and unseasonably cold temperatures, the Willow was a fickle beast today,” said tournament director Gregg Kizewski. 

The team of Yeng Thao and David Vue bested the Upper Midwest Challenge Series Central Division field on the Willow Flowage last month with 19.44 pounds of smallmouth.
(Submitted photo)

Many anglers echoed that sentiment. The wind was still an issue and anglers were also catching the end of the mayfly hatch.. 

When the scales closed the team of Yeng Thao and David Vue took first place with a five fish limit of smallmouth weighing in at 19.44 pounds. Todd Bartishofski and Evan Marcell found themselves in second with 16.24 pounds, a limit of fish that would assure a win on many other bodies of water in the Northwoods. The team also had the big bass of the day with a 4.68 pound smallmouth. Third place went to Tom Perkins and Blake Melvin with 15.92 pounds. 

Kizewski and Robin Pester grabbed fourth place with 14.59 pounds of smallmouth and Andy Dassow and Todd Holtman rounded out the top five with 13.52 pounds. 

Eleven teams were able to bring a limit of fish to the scales. Four teams were unable to boat a legal fish throughout the day. In total, 242.51 pounds of fish were caught. This resulted in an average weight per fish of 2.67 pounds. The average weight per team was 8.36 pounds.

This was the second stop for Central Division Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series anglers. Their next stop will be on Lake Nokomis on July 21. From there, the division will head to Boom Lake on August 11.

The Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series is comprised of three divisions, the Central, Western Lakes and (Mississippi) River Divisions. Each division holds four qualifier tournaments. Those teams who fish at least four events throughout the year in any division or combination of divisions are invited to the Tournament of Champions. This year that tournament will be held on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage om Sept. 14-15, with teams from all three divisions coming together for a battle of the best anglers this series has to offer.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].