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Garrison, ND .... After two days of intense angling competition, veteran NAWA Pro Jim Bell leads an all-star field going into the final day of the Kawasaki/Minn Kota "High Plains Quest", a world-class fishing event held here at Garrison^s Fort Stevenson State Park. Bell, who captured the first ever NAWA tournament and has finished in the money in the majority of the NAWA events, will be the first angler to depart the dock for tomorrow^s final showdown, where the top 15 finishers out of the original field will fish-off for the event^s top prize. His strategy of trolling Reef Runner Ripsticks among large schools of smelt is paying off big with his second consecutive catch of quality walleyes for a two-day total of 46.36 pounds. Bell^s Day Two basket of walleyes weighing 22.53 lbs combined with yesterday^s catch, earned him the pole position in tomorrow^s competition. "More anglers are beginning to discover this fishing hole," Bell said during the Day Two press conference. "To duplicate today^s effort, I figure I need at least one good pass tomorrow before it gets too crowded." Unlike many of the anglers, Bell began the event fishing some 40 miles from the launch site at Fort Stevenson State Park. This is only allowing him some three and one-half hours of fishing time each day. "I^m make some slight modifications to my lures, which is triggering the big-fish bite," he revealed. "I know there are some guys catching good walleyes by live-bait rigging, however, I^m still convinced that trolling is the answer to winning this event." In second place going into Saturday^s final day is Amery, WI, pro Todd Riley, another veteran who is capable of winning the event. Riley, with a two-day catch of 42.63 lbs, is using a similar approach but not traveling nearly as far to find fish. "I got burned by live-bait rigging the last time we came here, " said Riley. "I wasn^t going to make that mistake again, so I^ve fine-tuned my trolling techniques and went after the big fish." In third place is 1996 Lake Sakakawea NAWA Champion Ken Seffron of Omaha, NE. Seffron a dedicated live-bait fisherman, weighed two consecutive catches of more than 20 lbs. His day two catch of 20.14 lbs, combined with his first-day limit brought a two day total of 40.16 pounds. In general, the most productive patterns are live-bait rigging. However, many anglers continue to rely on trolling techniques. The live-bait anglers seem to be catching the greater numbers of fish, while trollers reap fewer but larger walleyes. The remaining contestants start from scratch on Day Three, the final round of this high-stakes shootout held at Garrison^s Fort Stevenson State Park. Pro anglers surviving the cut include: 1. Jim Bell, Blaine, MN -- 46.36 lbs. 2. Todd Riley, Amery, WI -- 42.63 lbs 3. Ken Seffron, Omaha, NE -- 40.16 lbs. 4. Norb Wallock, Conover, WI -- 37.97 lbs. 5. Dan Stier, Pierre, SD -- 37.73 lbs. 6. Doug Hermanson, Mandan, ND -- 37.61 lbs. 7. Pat Foster, Little Canada, MN -- 37.50 lbs. 8. David Kraft, Bismarck, ND -- 36.38 lbs. 9. Jim Peterson, Elk River, MN. -- 34.73 lbs. 10. Earnie Brown, Warners, NY -- 33.63 lbs. 11. Lorrie Schaefer, Minot, ND -- 33.18 lbs. 12. Irvin Kraus, Powell, WY -- 33.03 lbs 13. Mike Pehiso, Bismarck, ND -- 32.20 lbs 14. Sheldon Meidinger, Bismarch, ND -- 31.57 lbs 15. Gil Mollet, Jefferson, ND -- 31.04 lbs Amateur anglers competing in tomorrows competition include: 1. Troy Child, Dillon, MT -- 42.86 lbs. 2. Shawn Schaff, Dickinson, ND -- 40.58 lbs. 3. Erwin Marson, Brandon, SD -- 39.80 lbs 4. Roger Schumann, Glenburn, ND -- 38.82 lbs. 5. Greg Schoneck, Minot, ND -- 37.23 lbs. 6. Ken Olson, Roseville, MN -- 36.74 lbs 7. Gene LaMere, Amery, WI -- 35.12 lbs 8. Dave Noble, Loveland, CO -- 32.89 lbs 9. Edwin Parks, Jr., Webberville, MI -- 32.83 lbs 10. Chuck Dube, Brooklyn Park, MN -- 31.88 lbs. 11. George Heiser, Finley, ND -- 31.68 lbs 12. Tom Krabbenhoff, Kindred, ND -- 30.59 lbs 13. Frank Christenson, Blomkest, Mn -- 30.44 lbs. 14. Al Olson, Britt, IA -- 30.00 lbs. 15. Dan Galbincea III, Cortland, OH -- 29.33 lbs. East Syracuse, NY pro John Weston and his amateur partner Dana Delp of Lansing, MI, captured the $500 Day Two "LaCrosse Lunker" Award for their 9.46 lb walleye. The top Pro prize, valued at nearly $30,000 includes a new Lund 1800 Pro-V Tournament Series boat, 150 horsepower XR6 Mercury motor and trailer. Amateur anglers will be fishing for a top prize of a new Lund 1700 Angler SS boat, 90 horsepower Mercury motor and trailer valued at $14,000.

Uploaded: 8/14/1999