Warrior Rally and David A. Andersen Memorial Tournament Back to Lake of the Woods
On Saturday, August 10th, the annual Warrior Rally and Warrior Boat Tournament is coming to Lake of the Woods. As you might have guessed, if you aren’t fishing out of a Warrior Boat, you cannot be in the tournament! It is the 4th Annual David A. Andersen Warrior Boat tournament held out of Wigwam Resort on Lake of the Woods. Two person teams teams will compete using the AIM format of CRR or Catch, Record, Release. That meant every fish caught, regardless of size, could be an entry. With this format, when a walleye is caught, one digital photo is taken with the fish on an official ruler, the other as a hero shot showing the side of the fish so the fish can be identified and not used again.
Spots are still open for the one day tournament. This is a great way to compete during a time when the walleye is excellent and a lot of big fish are being caught.
Teams fishing out of Warrior boats will come from across the Midwest. If history repeats itself, many big walleyes will be photographed and released. Anglers are coming together to celebrate Warrior Boats and earn the pride of winning a tournament amongst some fantastic walleye anglers.
This year’s Warrior Rally which includes the David A Andersen Memorial Tournament will once again take place out of Wigwam Resort. Live music with the band Catalyst will hit the Wigwam stage both Friday and Saturday night.
I spoke with Kent Andersen, National Sales Manager for Warrior Boats and also a son of David Andersen. I asked him what sets Warrior boats apart. “Ride, tracking and how dry the ride is. The boat is truly built by fisherman, people who are actually using the product, not an engineer who doesn’t fish in these conditions. Warrior is considered the fisherman’s boat. From the people who build them to management to customers. Normally hard core anglers.”
“Although this event is a tournament, it is almost looked at more as a family reunion. Everyone wants to win but people also help others out if needed,” explained Andersen.
The Warrior Annual Dealer meeting will take place Wednesday and Thursday. “Really more of a dealer appreciation event. Not a better place to treat dealers than Lake of the Woods.”
Much of the fishing will happen in Big Traverse Bay. This area is about 30 miles north/south x 25 miles east/west. The deepest spot in this huge expanse of walleye filled water is 36′ deep. Consequently, this area is like a huge aquarium loaded with fish. Some days, anglers can troll crankbaits along this relatively flat area for miles with fish on the screen.
Various forms of forage inhabit “no man’s land” and the mud bottom. One of the forage bases anglers will be looking for are tulibees. These fish are targeted by the larger walleyes in the system and are one of the reasons Lake of the Woods walleyes get so big.
Structure will also be targeted no doubt. With some of the reefs popping up out of miles of flat mud, you can imagine how this is a magnet for walleyes.
If history repeats itself, most anglers will pull crankbaits out in the deep mud or on the edge of reefs. Some will pull spinners. Everyone will catch walleyes!
To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.
To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.
