Ohio National Guard News

Tournament partners pro anglers with Ohio, Indiana National Guard members in head-to-head walleye fishing competition

Story and Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Ballog
Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Lyman (left), a member of the Ohio Honor Guard, and a Mansfield, Ohio, native, prepares to perform color guard duties as part of pregame festivities.   Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general, throws the first pitch May 22 at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio

Ohio and Indiana National Guard Soldiers, along with pro anglers, embark on a day of competitive walleye fishing in the Soldier Appreciation Tournament May 14 at Lake Erie in Port Clinton, Ohio. The tournament was part of the National Guard FLW Walleye Tournament, held May 12-14, 2011. (photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Ballog, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard)

  Brig. Gen. Mike McHenry, commander of Special Troops Command, Ohio Army National Guard, presents Chagrin Falls, Ohio-resident and pro angler Jeff Graves, the National Guard FLW Walleye pro tour's first place trophy and $50,000 prize May 14 in Port Clinton, Ohio. Graves caught a three-day walleye total of 117 pounds, 6 ounces at Lake Erie during the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour, the nation's premier professional walleye fishing circuit. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tracy Ballog, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard)

In conjunction with the National Guard Forrest L. Wood Walleye Tournament May 14 at Lake Erie in Port Clinton, Ohio, about 40 Soldiers from the Ohio and Indiana Army National Guards partnered with pro anglers for a day of competitive walleye fishing in the Soldier Appreciation Tournament.

The National Guard FLW Walleye Tour is the nation’s premier professional walleye fishing circuit. The tour consists of four three-day qualifying events, along with fishing-themed activities for families. Top anglers from each division will advance to the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour Championship.

During the Soldier Appreciation Tournament, which recognized selected Soldiers for sacrifices they’ve made as military members, pro walleye anglers paired up with the Guard members in the FLW’s first state-vs.-state fishing competition on Lake Erie.

Each team, consisting of two Soldiers and one pro, was allowed to catch and present up to three walleyes for weigh-in, with the highest total weight capturing the win.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Corbi, of Johnstown, Ohio, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Rod, of Oxford, Ohio, from Ohio’s 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment, won bragging rights for Ohio during the tournament. The duo, who fished with pro angler Rich Mealey, caught three walleyes weighing in at 23 pounds, 6 ounces to give the Ohio Guard members the win.

Both Corbi and Rod said the team caught eight “keepers” during the day, but catching fish wasn’t all they accomplished while out on the water.

“We’re all out here to have fun and just have a day to spend with fellow Soldiers from Indiana and Ohio,” Rod said. “This tournament was great and I appreciate all of the volunteers who agreed to take us out and spend their day having us out on their boats.”

Brig. Gen. Mike McHenry, commander of Special Troops Command, Ohio Army National Guard, presented both the Soldier tournament and professional category trophies, and said the event was a great opportunity for the participating Soldiers.

“This partnership is very special and we thank the FLW and its members for being positive role models who reinforce values, teamwork, leadership and ethics in the conduct of their business. They truly believe in our Citizen-Soldiers and we thank them for their support and service as well,” McHenry said.

Capt. Brandon Skiver, a training officer for 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, echoed McHenry’s comments.

“I was paired with (National Guard-sponsored) pro angler Bill Shimota. He’s a phenomenal angler who made the day on the lake a great memory, especially as we took third place with 22.1 pounds. This event was truly a great experience, highlighting a great partnership between the FLW Tour and the National Guard,” Skiver said.

Shimota, of Lonsdale, Minn., said the pros were equally happy to spend time with Soldiers. “The camaraderie between the two states was awesome. It’s a great deal for the anglers to spend time with the Soldiers and to share what we know and get a chance to give back to them,” he said. “We’re honored to take part in the Soldier Appreciation Tournament.”

Chagrin Falls, Ohio-resident and pro angler Jeff Graves took home the FLW Walleye pro tour’s first-place trophy and $50,000 prize by catching a three-day total of 117 pounds, 6 ounces of walleye.

Osceola, Ind., pro Ed Szymczak won on the co-angler side, taking home a $6,000 check in his first FLW event.