Zippo is bringing the Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit back to the Kinzua Reservoir June 19-20 as part of the MWC’s 2015 tournament schedule.
Boats will launch out of Willow Bay at 7 a.m. and weigh-ins will start at 3:30 p.m. both days at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Sport and
Fitness Center. The tournament weigh-ins are open to the public, bleachers will be set up in the parking lot to accommodate spectators and lawn chairs are permitted.
“Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit has been a great partner for the past several years,” said Chris Funk, Marketing Product Manager for Zippo’s expanding line of outdoor products. “We’re beyond thrilled that we are able to sponsor this tournament again in Zippo’s hometown.”
Funk noted that MWC’s decision to return to Kinzua was based not only on the skill level necessary to hook the Allegheny Reservoir’s high quality walleye, but also because of the immense support and enthusiasm of the Bradford community for last year’s tournament.
“MWC officials said that we had an impressive public turnout for the weigh-ins and a really high number of local team entries into the tournament,” Funk said. “We hope that it will be even easier this year for angling fans to come out to the weigh-in since it will be so conveniently close to town this year.”
In addition to their youth outreach and fisheries conservation mission, which has given over $300,000 to fisheries conservation projects in tournament states, MWC tournaments awards thousands of dollars in prizes to anglers, including a $200 Zippo contingency prize for the biggest fish caught at each tournament.
Last year’s first place team at the Kinzua tournament, Chuck Sabatose and Frank Mausser, both from PA, took home $9,500 in cash. In all, the Cabela’s MWC awarded $39,360 in cash and prizes at the 2014 Kinzua Tournament.
This year, participating anglers will also be treated to a steak and chicken dinner sponsored by Zippo immediately following the mandatory rules meeting.
Zippo and W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Co. are continuing their combined sponsorship of the nationally recognized walleye fishing team of Bradford-based Doug Yohe and Charlie Brant again this year. The longtime team will be competing in a new 2015 Ranger boat, customized with a Zippo and Case-themed wrap.
Entry is open to all two-person teams until Monday, June 15; official rules and registration information are available at masterswalleyecircuit.com.