Spotters in Boats
Monday 18th of May 2009
Beneath a gray cloud local Mobridge Tournament Anglers took two places, 3rd place team of Shannon Grismer and Colin Beitelspacher (12.10 pounds) and the 4th place team of Cory Jueneman and Brent Beitelspacher (12.04 pounds) respectively.
The Gray Cloud was the fact that these two teams had on both days a spotter in there boats. This took place based on an unsubstantiated rumor, rumors, or simply the local rumor mill, perhaps by a local person or person’s that no one will ever know whom started these accusations.
I had the opportunity to visit with the tournament director Kristine Houtman as well as with Cory Jueneman about the process and how he felt and also how Kris based her decision. I also visited with Kristen about the overall success of the first MWC event in the West Division.
GLF
Give me your thoughts on the first MWC in Mobridge?
“We have been very pleased with the enthusiasm from the community and the support received from the Chamber of Commerce and area volunteers.”
“Many anglers were glad that the MWC was moving to a West Division.” We (MWC) know that there is a ton of potential in the West and are looking forward to the next events.”.
GLF
Being a tournament director for several years and indicating that this was the worst bite in 25 years. Do you feel as though there might have been a better date for the Mobridge event?
Kristine:
“Certainly the full potential of Lake Oahe was not experienced at this event.” “However nobody doubts the potential of Lake Oahe as a Walleye Fishery.”
GLF
What would you have done differently in picking a date?
Kristine:
“We have 10 plus events to schedule and you do the best that you can with what you got.” On any other given year the bite on Oahe at this time could have been un-believable.”
“There are some many variables to consider when planning a tournament, and we have a tight timeframe.” “With getting the proper permits, 10 tournaments to schedule, not wanting to put a tournament on a State’s opening date, missing Memorial Day, Fourth of July, the FLW Events and all the other tournaments on the water.” It just makes it a tough decision and requires one to be able to juggle.”
GLF
At the rules meeting you mentioned on Friday evening that if any one of the anglers witnessed a violation of the rules that they would need to fill out a specific form and sign it for it too even be considered.
Kristine:
“Yes I did say that”
GLF:
So how did the spotters end up in Cory Jueneman and Brent Beitelspacher and in Shannon Grismer and Colin Beitelspacher boats? Seems odd these teams were singled out?
Kristine:
“If the local community is rumor milling” Then I as tournament director have to make a decision. My decision was to actually protect the anglers themselves with the spotters.
“They (both teams) finished strong!” “It was the best solution to protect the reputation and allow them to with stand any surrienty.
GLF
Has this ever happened in prior events?
Kristine:
Once or twice a year. So it has happened.
GLF
Give me your thoughts on the success of the first MWC West Event?
“We had a good experience working with the chamber of commerce.” “The Quality of Oahe was minimal and presented a very unique situation for this event, to the point of challenging.” “With a total of 61 teams, we had quality anglers and equipment, they were second to none in the west all very experienced.”
Interview with Corey Jueneman:
GLF
Cory, I’m going to ask you about your experience with the first MWC event in Mobridge. As well as the fact that your two boats were singled out to have a spotter along for two days.
Cory:
The entire MWC Mobridge experience was tarnished from the start. Right after we learned that someone from main street (meaning who knows where from) said that we would be cheating, sharing fish etc etc.
I asked tournament director Kristine Houtman who would make such accusations? Her reply was that it was someone from the community and that was all. In my opinion this was nothing more than a vindictive from a local individual. It is unfortunate that people would even take a moment of time to listen to coffee talk rumor and act on such foolishness.
GLF
Well Cory you did catch fish and actually proved them wrong.
Cory:
Yes. We are professional fisherman doing what we love to do, otherwise we simply would not do it. It was very challenging and with the added pressure to bring in a fish, there were some tense moments. To me it was not about proving them wrong and catching fish, it was still the fact that an individual could dictate such nonsense.
GLF
Do you feel as though the MWC could have handled this situation differently?
Cory:
Certainly, I mean at the rules meeting it was very clear that if someone was going to accuse another fisherman of a tournament violation, they would have to fill out the proper forms and sign it. This was not the case in this situation. We felt that if someone could come up with this then they should step up to the plate and sign an official tournament complaint form. There were no conversations with us concerning this, and there was never an apology for us being singled out.
GLF
Will you fish the other MWC events?
Cory:
We have not made any formal decisions on if we will or will not fish the remaining tournaments. This type of action has left a bad taste in our mouths.
GLF
Cory lets close with your thoughts on a great showing by you two teams.
Cory:
We decided that we had to look at this in a different light. Not that it made it any easier. But professional baseball players that are at the top of there game are always being accused of an added edge. In one sense it was a compliment and on the other hand not so much.
We have sponsors, friends, and competing anglers that know us, know what we are about, and know that we would never jeopardize our reputations. It was nice after the tournament to have so many of the competing anglers come up to us, shake our hands and tell us they were all pulling for us to have an excellent showing.
With that said I would like to thank everyone that took the time to say just that.
