Sunday, Aug. 2 (Day Nine) and Tourney Notes

Fourteen more chinook salmon larger than 20 pounds were brought to tournament scales on day nine, but none of them large enough to crack the top 25.

A total of 215 chinooks 20 pounds and larger were registered in the nine-day event. Two were disqualified for various reasons, leaving 213 in the final payout.

More than 2,800 anglers bought either single-day or full tournament tickets, an increase of 600 over last year. The tournament committee will award nearly $50,000 in cash and prizes back to participants, a new record.

Ticket sales were equally split between Kewaunee and Door counties. The Kewaunee Marina and Center Court Convenience in Kewaunee combined to sell 713; Algoma BP, 691; Hol-N-One Mobil and Grey Stone Castle in Sturgeon Bay, 642; 57 Fast Stop in Baileys Harbor, 521; and Kap.s Marina on Washington Island, 248.

Tournament officials are still going over the weigh-in slips and will have more to report on some of the hot baits and depths at a later time. A quick review shows that many of the heavyweights were caught 30 to 70 feet down over 60 to 130 feet of water. A variety of flies, J-Plugs and spoons run behind Dipsy Divers, downriggers and leadcore setups were used.

The complete final payout, with cash and prizes won, will be posted later this week at www.kdsalmon.com.

K/D Salmon Top 25, 2009 Final

1. Scott Polifka, 26.46 @ Kewaunee, 7/27
2. Brandon Waterland, 26.35, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
3. Roger Conradt, 26.30, @ Kewaunee, 7/25
4. William Crase, 25.83, @ Washington Island, 7/28
5. Robert Rosenthal, 25.80, @ Algoma, 8/1
6. Kevin Burmeister, 25.70, @ Algoma, 8/1
7. Troy Simonar, 25.66, @ Kewaunee, 8/1
8. Dennis Anderson, 25.50, @ Algoma, 7/27
9. Scott Mansur, 25.24, @ Algoma, 7/29
10. Chris Krohn, 25.24, @ Washington Island, 7/31
11. Dave Sumnicht, 25.22, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
12. Cal Frelk, 25.13, @ Sturgeon Bay, 8/1
13. Thomas Tasker, 24.98, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/28
14. Kevin Weier, 24.97, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/25
15. James Keough, 24.86, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
16. Chad Hrabik, 24.86, @ Kewaunee, 7/30
17. Lance Nelson, 24.80, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
18. Julie Johnson, 24.72, @ Kewaunee, 8/1
19. Paul Sonnenberg, 24.65, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
20. James Blum, 24.63, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
21. John Schartner, 24.42, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
22. Phil Kinjerski, 24.42, @ Algoma, 7/31
23. Lawrence Strelow, 24.42, @ Baileys Harbor, 8/1
24. Daniel Feltz, 24.16, @ Algoma, 7/29
25. John D. Becker, 24.05, @ Washington Island, 7/30

Port prize winners August 2
Algoma (9 fish, 6 over 20 pounds): Adam Grovender, 22.36; Baileys Harbor (8 fish, 3 over 20): Andy Stuth, 21.51; Kewaunee (10 fish, 1 over 20): Ben Paplham, 20.42; Sturgeon Bay (10 fish, 2 over 20): Brandon Waterford, 22.57; Washington Island (4 fish, 2 over 20): John Peters, 23.37.

Saturday, Aug. 1 (Day Eight)

The first day of strong winds in the 2009 tournament kept some of the small boats close to shore or off the water completely, but Saturday was still a big day for lead changes.

Three new top 10 fish in Kewaunee County were among seven additions to the top 30. A fourth 25-pounder was taken at Sturgeon Bay.

Through the first eight days, 204 chinooks larger than 20 pounds were registered.

Top 30 through Saturday, Aug. 1

1. Scott Polifka, 26.46 @ Kewaunee, 7/27
2. Brandon Waterland, 26.35, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
3. Roger Conradt, 26.30, @ Kewaunee, 7/25
4. William Crase, 25.83, @ Washington Island, 7/28
5. Robert Rosenthal, 25.80, @ Algoma, 8/1
6. Kevin Burmeister, 25.70, @ Algoma, 8/1
7. Troy Simonar, 25.66, @ Kewaunee, 8/1
8. Dennis Anderson, 25.50, @ Algoma, 7/27
9. Scott Mansur, 25.24, @ Algoma, 7/29
10. Chris Krohn, 25.24, @ Washington Island, 7/31
11. Dave Sumnicht, 25.22, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
12. Cal Frelk, 25.13, @ Sturgeon Bay, 8/1
13. Pete Luhman, 25.07, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/30
14. Thomas Tasker, 24.98, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/28
15. Kevin Weier, 24.97, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/25
16. James Keough, 24.86, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
17. Chad Hrabik, 24.86, @ Kewaunee, 7/30
18. Lance Nelson, 24.80, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
19. Julie Johnson, 24.72, @ Kewaunee, 8/1
20. Paul Sonnenberg, 24.65, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
21. James Blum, 24.63, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
22. Mike Marchant, 24.56, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
23. John Schartner, 24.42, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
24. Lawrence Strelow, 24.42, @ Baileys Harbor, 8/1
25. Phil Kinjerski, 24.42, @ Algoma, 7/31
26. Daniel Feltz, 24.16, @ Algoma, 7/29
27. John D. Becker, 24.05, @ Washington Island, 7/30
28. Marty Jurgensen, 23.98, @ Algoma, 7/27
29. Marty Mueller, 23.88, @ Algoma, 8/1
30. Mike Dahlke, 23.85, @ Kewaunee, 7/28

Port prize winners August 1
Algoma (9 fish, 4 over 20 pounds): Phil Kinjerski, 24.42; Baileys Harbor (8 fish, 4 over 20): Lawrence Strelow, 24.42; Kewaunee (12 fish, 7 over 20): Troy Simonar, 25.66; Sturgeon Bay (3 fish, 2 over 20): Cal Frelk, 25.13; Washington Island (6 fish, 3 over 20): Nancy Heil, 23.58.

Friday, July 31 (Day Seven)

There weren.t many changes in the leaderboard Friday . just two new additions to the top 20. Seventeen salmon over 20 pounds were brought to the scales, including six at Algoma and five at Washington Island.

A 25.24-pounder booked at the island moved into the seventh spot, even though it was dead even with the sixth place fish. Tournament rules are set up so that if there is a tie, the fish weighed earlier . whether days, hours or minutes . gets the higher position.

Through the first seven days, 184 chinooks larger than 20 pounds had been registered.

Top 30 through Friday, July 31

1. Scott Polifka, 26.46 @ Kewaunee, 7/27
2. Brandon Waterland, 26.35, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
3. Roger Conradt, 26.30, @ Kewaunee, 7/25
4. William Crase, 25.83, @ Washington Island, 7/28
5. Dennis Anderson, 25.50, @ Algoma, 7/27
6. Scott Mansur, 25.24, @ Algoma, 7/29
7. Chris Krohn, 25.24, @ Washington Island, 7/31
8. Dave Sumnicht, 25.22, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
9. Pete Luhman, 25.07, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/30
10. Thomas Tasker, 24.98, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/28
11. Kevin Weier, 24.97, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/25
12. James Keough, 24.86, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
13. Chad Hrabik, 24.86, @ Kewaunee, 7/30
14. Lance Nelson, 24.80, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
15. Paul Sonnenberg, 24.65, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
16. James Blum, 24.63, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
17. Mike Marchant, 24.56, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
18. John Schartner, 24.42, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
19. Phil Kinjerski, 24.42, @ Algoma, 7/31
20. Daniel Feltz, 24.16, @ Algoma, 7/29
21. John D. Becker, 24.05, @ Washington Island, 7/30
22. Marty Jurgensen, 23.98, @ Algoma, 7/27
23. Mike Dahlke, 23.85, @ Kewaunee, 7/28
24. Bob Rose, 23.72, @ Algoma, 7/28
25. Jim Branch, 23.62, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
26. Dillian Forrest Bushey, 23.61, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
27. Chad Watermolen, 23.59 @ Kewaunee, 7/25
28. Ryan Tanck, 23.55, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
29. James Foryest, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
30. Joe Felhofer, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/28

Port prize winners July 31
Algoma (12 fish, 6 over 20 pounds): Phil Kinjerski, 24.42; Baileys Harbor (6 fish, 2 over 20): Mike Pelant, 21.58; Kewaunee (14 fish, 3 over 20): Mark Bagley, 22.59; Sturgeon Bay (12 fish, 1 over 20): Wayne Lane, 23.03; Washington Island (13 fish, 5 over 20): Chris Krohn, 25.24

Thursday, July 30 (Day Six)

It was a big day for big fish Thursday, with six salmon 24 to 25 pounds moving into the top 20 in the 27th annual Kewaunee/Door Salmon Tournament.

Algoma and Sturgeon Bay each saw eight 20-pound-plus fish weighed; Baileys Harbor and Kewaunee each had seven. Even with far less fishing pressure than the other four ports, Washington Island still managed to tally three 20s on the day.

Through the first six days, 167 chinooks larger than 20 pounds had been registered.

Top 30 through Thursday, July 30

1. Scott Polifka, 26.46 @ Kewaunee, 7/27
2. Brandon Waterland, 26.35, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
3. Roger Conradt, 26.30, @ Kewaunee, 7/25
4. William Crase, 25.83, @ Washington Island, 7/28
5. Dennis Anderson, 25.50, @ Algoma, 7/27
6. Scott Mansur, 25.24, @ Algoma, 7/29
7. Dave Sumnicht, 25.22, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
8. Pete Luhman, 25.07, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/30
9. Thomas Tasker, 24.98, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/28
10. Kevin Weier, 24.97, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/25
11. James Keough, 24.86, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
12. Chad Hrabik, 24.86, @ Kewaunee, 7/30
13. Lance Nelson, 24.80, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
14. Paul Sonnenberg, 24.65, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
15. James Blum, 24.63, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
16. Mike Marchant, 24.56, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
17. John Schartner, 24.42, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/30
18. Daniel Feltz, 24.16, @ Algoma, 7/29
19. John D. Becker, 24.05, @ Washington Island, 7/30
20. Marty Jurgensen, 23.98, @ Algoma, 7/27
21. Mike Dahlke, 23.85, @ Kewaunee, 7/28
22. Bob Rose, 23.72, @ Algoma, 7/28
23. Jim Branch, 23.62, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
24. Dillian Forrest Bushey, 23.61, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
25. Chad Watermolen, 23.59 @ Kewaunee, 7/25
26. Ryan Tanck, 23.55, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
27. James Foryest, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
28. Joe Felhofer, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/28
29. James Kozitza, 23.22, @ Algoma, 7/28
30. John Arieth, 23.14, @ Algoma, 7/26

Port prize winners July 30
Algoma (16 fish, 8 over 20 pounds): Joe Champeau, 22.32; Baileys Harbor (13 fish, 7 over 20): Pete Luhman, 25.07; Kewaunee (12 fish, 7 over 20): Chad Hrabik, 24.86; Sturgeon Bay (14 fish, 8 over 20): Lance Nelson, 24.80; Washington Island (14 fish, 3 over 20): John D. Becker, 24.05.

 

Wednesday, July 29 (Day Five)

It was quality, not quantity at Sturgeon Bay Wednesday, the fifth day of the Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament.

Perhaps seeing that it.s going to take a truly big king to get on the board, anglers brought only 11 chinooks to the tournament scale at Hol-N-One Mobil. Of those, eight topped 20 pounds . and three were big enough to crack the top 20.

Algoma had a big day as well, with a new sixth place fish. The 25.24-pounder was one of two Algoma kings to move into the top 15 with four days to go.

As always, there were plenty of rumors . some confirmed . of fish taken that would rank highly on the board had the angler had a tournament ticket. There.s still time. One-day chances are $13. If fishing two or more days, the full tournament ticket ($25) is a better choice. Quite a few times through the years, the eventual tournament winner was landed in the final days of the event. The $10,000 first place prize could entice more hopeful anglers as we head toward the final weekend.

Through the first five days, 134 chinooks larger than 20 pounds had been registered. In last year.s entire nine-day event, only 54 20-plus fish were brought in. It.s looking more and more likely that it.ll take a salmon of at least 20 pounds to crack the top 200.

Top 30 through Wednesday, July 29

1. Scott Polifka, 26.46 @ Kewaunee, 7/27
2. Brandon Waterland, 26.35, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
3. Roger Conradt, 26.30, @ Kewaunee, 7/25
4. William Crase, 25.83, @ Washington Island, 7/28
5. Dennis Anderson, 25.5, @ Algoma, 7/27
6. Scott Mansur, 25.24, @ Algoma, 7/29
7. Dave Sumnicht, 25.22, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
8. Thomas Tasker, 24.98, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/28
9. Kevin Weier, 24.97, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/25
10. James Keough, 24.86, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
11. Paul Sonnenberg, 24.65, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
12. Mike Marchant, 24.56, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
13. Daniel Feltz, 24.16, @ Algoma, 7/29
14. Marty Jurgensen, 23.98, @ Algoma, 7/27
15. Mike Dahlke, 23.85, @ Kewaunee, 7/28
16. 23.72, Bob Rose, @ Algoma, 7/28
17. Jim Branch, 23.62, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
18. Dillian Forrest Bushey, 23.61, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
19. Chad Watermolen, 23.59 @ Kewaunee, 7/25
20. Ryan Tanck, 23.55, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/29
21. James Foryest, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
22. Joe Felhofer, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/28
23. James Kozitza, 23.22, @ Algoma, 7/28
24. John Arieth, 23.14, @ Algoma, 7/26
25. Bryan Pelant, 23.02, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
26. John Peters, 22.96, @ Kewaunee, 7/27
27. Neil Hahn, 22.93, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
28. Jason Reiplinger, 22.90, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/26
29. Gary Wonsowski, 22.88, @ Washington Island, 7/27
30. Christopher Ricker, 22.86, @ Algoma, 7/25

Port prize winners July 29
Algoma (18 fish, 3 over 20 pounds): Scott Mansur, 25.24; Baileys Harbor (19 fish, 6 over 20): Adam DuPree, 22.91; Kewaunee (10 fish, 3 over 20): Adam Simpson, 21.20; Sturgeon Bay (11 fish, 8 over 20): James Keough, 24.86; Washington Island (15 fish, 4 over 20): Bruce Albrect, 22.81.
 

Tuesday, July 28 (Day Four)

So much for cooler shrinkage. A trophy chinook brought in to Kap.s Marina on Washington Island minutes after the tournament scales closed Monday night was weighed anyway . unofficially . as a test case before being put back into the cooler. It was back on the same scale first thing Tuesday when Kap.s opened, and it hadn.t lost any weight.

What happened at Kap.s should help put to rest any concerns anglers have that a fish that can.t be brought in by the time scales close at 9 p.m. would lose significant weight overnight. Some anglers believe big salmon .dry out. and shrink a pound or two . or more . if not immediately weighed. Others believe that the discrepancy between boat weight and certified tournament scale weigh-ins comes from inaccurate .bounce readings. on the much cheaper and uncertified scales aboard most boats.

Regardless, South Dakota angler William Crase.s island whopper was the largest of six new additions to the top 20. Crase said he hooked it about 70 feet down in about 90 feet of water on a Moonshine Fly near Plum Island.

Through the first four days, 110 chinooks larger than 20 pounds had been registered. That.s more than double last year.s entire nine-day total of 54.

Top 25 through Tuesday, July 28
1. Scott Polifka, 26.46 @ Kewaunee, 7/27
2. Brandon Waterland, 26.35, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
3. Roger Conradt, 26.30, @ Kewaunee, 7/25
4. William Crase, 25.83, @ Washington Island, 7/28
5. Dennis Anderson, 25.5, @ Algoma, 7/27
6. Dave Sumnicht, 25.22, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
7. Thomas Tasker, 24.98, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/28
8. Kevin Weier, 24.97, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/25
9. Paul Sonnenberg, 24.65, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
10. Marty Jurgensen, 23.98, @ Algoma, 7/27
11. Mike Dahlke, 23.85, @ Kewaunee, 7/28
12. 23.72, Bob Rose, @ Algoma, 7/28
13. Jim Branch, 23.62, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
14. Dillian Forrest Bushey, 23.61, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
15. Chad Watermolen, 23.59 @ Kewaunee, 7/25
16. James Foryest, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
17. Joe Felhofer, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/28
18. James Kozitza, 23.22, @ Algoma, 7/28
19. John Arieth, 23.14, @ Algoma, 7/26
20. Bryan Pelant, 23.02, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
21. John Peters, 22.96, @ Kewaunee, 7/27
22. Neil Hahn, 22.93, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
23. Jason Reiplinger, 22.90, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/26
24. Gary Wonsowski, 22.88, @ Washington Island, 7/27
25. Christopher Ricker, 22.86, @ Algoma, 7/25

Port prize winners July 28
Algoma (22 fish, 9 over 20 pounds): Bob Rose, 23.72; Baileys Harbor (14 fish, 5 over 20): Thomas Tasker, 24.98; Kewaunee (24 fish, 6 over 20): Mike Dahlke, 23.85; Sturgeon Bay (20 fish, 5 over 20): Joe Felhofer, 23.38; Washington Island (12 fish, 5 over 20): William Crase, 25.83.

 

Monday, July 27 (Day Three)

Five new top 10 fish were weighed Monday, .Day 3. of the nine-day, 27th annual Kewaunee/Door County Salmon Tournament. Twenty-seven 20-pound-plus fish were weighed, including two that produced back-to-back lead changes at Sturgeon Bay and Kewaunee.

A new No. 1 fish climbed to the top, 26.46 pounds for Scott Polifka of Kewaunee. The 39-inch chinook had shoulders, as anglers like to say, and scaled out at 26.46 pounds. It hit a fly 73 feet down in 90 feet of water south of Kewaunee Sunday night.

Meanwhile, at Sturgeon Bay, 15-year-old Brandon Waterland of New Lenox, Illinois registered a 26.35-pounder that  hit a Howie Fly about 50 feet down in 130 feet of water around 5:30 a.m. His dad, Mike, was on the reel after Brandon passed off the rod, steered the boat and netted the prize.

For the third day in a row, Algoma BP weighed 34 fish. This time, eight of them were 20 pounds or larger, including a 25.5-pounder caught by an Upper Michigan angler. Another 25+, landed by a Minnesota angler at Algoma, had to be refused when it was learned not everyone in the boat had a ticket.

Short casts ...
. How much weight do fish lose when held overnight? Little to none, provided they are kept in ice water. A trophy put on the scale Monday night after hours didn.t lose anything when put back on . after first being drained of any water . for the official reading early Tuesday morning at Kap.s Marina. We.ll report on that one tomorrow.

. Through the first three days, 80 chinooks larger than 20 pounds had been registered. That.s more than last year.s entire nine-day total of 54.

Top 20 through Monday, July 27

1. Scott Polifka, 26.46 @ Kewaunee, 7/27
2. Brandon Waterland, 26.35, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
3. Roger Conradt, 26.30, @ Kewaunee, 7/25
4. Dennis Anderson, 25.5, @ Algoma, 7/27
5. Dave Sumnicht, 25.22, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
6. Kevin Weier, 24.97, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/25
7. Paul Sonnenberg, 24.65, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
8. Marty Jurgensen, 23.98. @ Algoma, 7/27
9. Jim Branch, 23.62, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
10. Dillian Forrest Bushey, 23.61, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
11. Chad Watermolen, 23.59 @ Kewaunee, 7/25
12. James Foryest, 23.38, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27
13. John Arieth, 23.14, @ Algoma, 7/26
14. Bryan Pelant, 23.02, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
15. John Peters, 22.96, @ Kewaunee, 7/27
16. Neil Hahn, 22.93, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/25
17. Jason Reiplinger, 22.90, @ Baileys Harbor, 7/26
18. Gary Wonsowski, 22.88, @ Washington Island, 7/27
19. Christopher Ricker, 22.86, @ Algoma, 7/25
20. David Hedsand, 22.85, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7/27

Port prize winners July 27
Algoma (34 fish, 8 over 20 pounds): Dennis Anderson, 25.5; Baileys Harbor (20 fish, 4 over 20): Ken Campbell, 22.55; Kewaunee (19 fish, 5 over 20): Scott Polifka, 26.46; Sturgeon Bay (17 fish, 6 over 20): Brandon Waterland, 26.35; Washington Island (19 fish, 4 over 20): Gary Wonsowski, 22.88.