Skarlis wins National Guard FLW Walleye Tour event in Red Wing

Tommy Skarlis, of Waukon, Iowa, took home the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour on the Mississippi River present by Evinrude title Saturday with a three-day total of 14 walleyes weighing 72 pounds, 8 ounces.

Skarlis got a challenge from Brian Bjorkman, of Fargo, N.D., on the final day of competition. Bjorkman hauled in five walleyes weighing 28 pounds, 11 ounces, but still finished nearly 9 pounds behind Skarlis.

Skarlis led the tournament all three days after beginning the tournament with a 36 pound, 12 ounce haul on the first day. Skarlis held more than a 9 pound advantage after the first day. He added to his total Friday with 20 pounds, 13 ounces and held a 17-pound lead entering the final day.

Skarlis earned $63,000 for the win while Bjorkman finished with 14 walleyes weighing 63 pounds, 10 ounces to claim a $16,000 second-place prize. Brett King, of Claremont, Minn., finished third with 15 walleyes weighing 52 pounds, 12 ounces and won $11,000.

Keith Keiven, of Toledo, Ohio, won the co-angler division with a three-day weight of 68 pounds, 3 ounces. Keiven took home $8,500.

The FLW Walleye Tour on the Mississippi River will be featured Sept. 23 on NBC Sports Network from 1-2 p.m. on FLW.

The National Guard FLW Walleye Tour’s next tournament is May 10-12 in Port Clinton, Ohio on Lake Erie.

Tags: red wing, sports, outdoors, proam