OCONTA, Wis. (July 23, 2011) – Staff Sgt. Jared Beyer of Pella, Wis., and Staff Sgt. Dave Kavanaugh of Kaukauna, Wis., won the FLW Soldier Appreciation Bass Fishing Tournament held on Green Bay Saturday. The team, fishing with pro Bill Shimota of Lonsdale, Minn., caught three bass for a total of 15 pounds, 2 ounces to take the title and bragging rights amongst their peers.
“This was a great day,” said Staff Sgt. Beyer. “We caught all our big fish pretty early, by 9:30, and then the bite really slowed down. We caught about 12 walleyes today. We also got some perch and sheephead. We really did have a fun day.”
“I belong to a Wednesday night league,” said Staff Sgt. Kavanaugh. “So I really picked Bill’s brain. He probably got sick of me asking so many questions but I really learned a lot. Because of the weather we stayed pretty close to the marina.”
Each of the participants in the FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournament are members of the Wisconsin National Guard and most have had at least one tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. In this tournament, FLW Tour pro anglers took teams of two, which consist of members of the National Guard, fishing to compete amongst their peers. Each team was allowed to bring in three bass. FLW Outdoors is operating the tournaments in conjunction with the National Guard to show appreciation to our service members of the National Guard.
“It’s always fun to win,” said Bill Shimota. “But it is especially fun taking these guardsmen out and showing them a good time. We owe them so much for protecting our country I am just happy I can give a little back.”
A total of 15 service men, nine teams, participated in the tournament. Rounding out the teams were:
2nd: Staff Sgt. Jesse Fenske, New London, Wis., and Pvt. Stephen Nuessen, Hager City, Wis., with John Balla, 13-15
3rd: Sgt. Jake Demoulin, Green Bay, Wis., and Spc. Evan Kazik, Coleman, Wis., with Scott Steil, 11-8
4th: Staff Sgt. Steve Westphal, Suring, Wis., and Staff Sgt. Matt Benzshawel, Menasha, Wis., with Dean Arnoldussen, 10-13
5th: Sgt. 1st Class Ken Shaffer, Porterfield, Wis., and Pvt. Steve Matts., with Chris Gilman, 10-8
6th: Sgt. Bryan Borchardt, Neenah, Wis., with FLW pro Dan Steir, 10-4
7th: Master Sgt. Bill Dawson, Lodi, Wis., and Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Scott Lafler, Osseo, Wis., with Brian Brosdahl, 3-15
8th: Sgt. Jon Shufflebotham, Sheboygan, Wis., with FLW pro Glenn Vinton, 2-1
9th: Sgt. Derek Storms, Oneida, Wis., with FLW pro Kevin Carstensen, 1-0