Lake Erie Walleye competitions bond anglers

On stage, Tournament Director Mark Mohr announced the nail-biting results, and it was a spectacular showcase of angling prowess from all the competitors. Brad Milleville and his team “Fish-Full Thinking” reeled in the grand prize with an impressive 39.94 pounds, closely followed by the formidable Ron Duliba Team “Dances-with-Fish” with 39.27 pounds, and Jeff Bognar and his team securing third place with 38.14 pounds. The excitement was palpable as each team showcased their remarkable catches.

This year’s tournament also featured an intriguing new twist with the introduction of playing cards and strict photo documentation to ensure fair play. The innovative changes raised the level of intensity and added an extra layer of challenge for the competitors.

However, the drama didn’t stop at the fishing.

A tense moment during the day-1 weigh-in led to an unexpected turn of events when one contestant objected to the new tournament process. The ensuing commotion pushed the staff to their limits, but their professionalism and quick thinking prevailed, resulting in the disqualification of the dissenting team. The show of solidarity and sportsmanship from the other contestants further heightened the drama of the event. Competitors are already looking forward to next year’s event.

Rich Eggleston with Team “Dances-with-Fish,” and their lucky 10 of spades (see story), brought in a six-fish bag of 39.27 pounds to finish in a close second place with cash and prizes.
Submitted Photo

The fishing techniques were as diverse as the competitors themselves, with Captain Milleville’s team (brother Bruce, nephew Ryan, and friend Luke Wittman) showcasing their finesse in using stickbaits and lead core setups, while Captain Duliba’s team “Dances-with-Fish” (Ron Diluba Sr., and Rich Eggleston) wowed the weigh-station with their custom-painted stickbaits and successful multi-species haul that included three brown trout and a steelhead.

The atmosphere was electric as the winners were celebrated, and the camaraderie and support among the competitors was truly inspiring. With a sensational array of prizes and a thoroughly gripping competition, the Bart’s Cove Tournament set the bar for a truly unforgettable angling experience. More than $30,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to the winners.

This weekend, the popular 20th Annual Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club (NCCC) Lake Erie Walleye Tournament in Dunkirk Harbor is set to go Friday Aug. 2-4. The NCCC Tournament, a beloved local tradition, offers a unique opportunity for local anglers to showcase their skills and compete for cash and gear prizes. NCCC Tournament Director Zen Olow says, “The NWT event has separated several teams that usually fish the 3-day NCCC event, but that 92 teams are presently registered, and there is room for a few more late entries.” The registration fee for the 3 fish/day, 3 day event is $300 per team. Contact Olow at 716-640-2776 to learn more.

Gotta love the outdoors!

Outdoors Calendar

Aug. 2-4: 20th Annual Northern Chautauqua Conservation Club Walleye Tourney, $300 entry/team, Dunkirk Harbor, NCCC club weigh-in each day; 3 fish bag/day, 3 days; Info and registration, contact Zen Olow, 716-640-2776.

Aug. 7: The Lake Erie VIP Experience, charter boat guest learning experience. Chadwick Bay Clarion Hotel Gazebo. By invitation only. Contact Eastern Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, Diane Steel, for info: 716-998-5137.

Aug. 3 – Oct. 27: Art that Matters to the Planet: Clarity; on view inside RTPI, partnering w/Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. Regular Admission.

Aug. 16-17: Innovative Outdoors Walleye Challenge, Dunkirk Harbor from HQ at the Clarion Hotel Gazebo, $500 entry/team; info, contact Jim Steel at 716-481-5348 or visit https://innovative-outdoors.com.

Aug. 17: Roger’s Bird-Day Bash, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., in the Lodge at RTPI, tickets $20; Includes all-day admission to RTPI.