Greetings to all 2009 anglers!

We have been working diligently to put the finishing touches on plans for the 2009 Silverado Pro-Am Bass Tour and are more excited than ever about the bright future for this tour.
For the record, thank you to all the 2008 anglers who candidly filled out our year-end survey. Your feedback was meaningful and many items will be reflected in 2009 tour improvements. Here’s an update on the four most timely and important items:

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Click here for registration form
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1. Registrations:

a. A 2009 Silverado Pro-Am Bass Tour registration form is attached here or can be downloaded by clicking here. Please read it carefully, fill it out completely and follow all instructions exactly for your opportunity to participate in 2009.

b. 2008 anglers maintain preferred 2009 registration status only when:

i. They completely fill out and follow all instructions exactly on the registration form.
ii. The registration form and down payment is received (postmarked) by the Tour no later than January 31, 2009.
iii. Final payments and required documentation are received (postmarked) no later than March 28, 2009.

c. After January 31, 2009, all registrations and deposits received from 2008 anglers will be handled in the same manner as any angler wait-listed and based on availability.

d. 2009 anglers new to the tour will be handled “first-come first serve” based on the number of positions open and the receipt (postmark date) on their completed registration form and down payment.

e. All final payments and required documentation, including (Pro Angler) proof of insurance must be received (postmarked) no later than March 28, 2009. Please remember, anglers forfeit down payments if full payments and required documentation are not received by March 28, 2009. Any remaining wait-listed anglers will be added on a first-come, first serve basis at this time.

f. If you have questions, contact me at 612-747-4337 (Wireless) or at hildefish@aol.com (Email).

2. Major Tour Upgrades:

a. The top 12 professional and amateur anglers for each event will qualify for prize awards, along with the 20th and 35th finishers (must be present) and the Big Bass. Angler of the Year will also receive a prize award.

b. The Tournament of Champions will include 20 boats, including:
i. Each event professional and amateur winner (8 anglers).
ii. Two wild card winners (4 anglers-2 Pros and 2 Ams).

c. The top 14 overall professional and amateur anglers after four events, minus any duplicate event or wild card winners (28 anglers).

d. The field will remain at 59 boats. This allows the Tour to continue to be the most prestigious circuit including the elite anglers in the upper Midwest.

e. The 2009 payout will be over $200,000 in cash and prizes, continuing our commitment to 100% + angler fee payback.

f. The Pro and Am Tour Angler of the Year based on overall points earned will receive a trophy, a cash award and be the #1 boat out in the Tournament of Champions event.

3. YMCA Partnership and Kids Fishing Event:

a. You became an angler the day someone close to you first said, “Let’s go fishing.” That opportunity is simply less real today for a generation of youngsters. To grow the Silverado Pro-Am Bass Tour, we are partnering with the YMCA to create what we hope will be an annual event giving over 100 youngsters the chance to fish with you. Complete details will be released soon.

b. We fully expect all 2009 Pro and Am anglers to have an active role in this event on June 23, 2009 on Lake Independence west of the Twin Cities. As a part of the 2009 Silverado Pro-Am Bass Tour, reserve this date on your calendar.

4. 2009 Projected Tour Calendar and Lakes:

• Saturday, January 31, receipt (postmarked) deadline for 2008 anglers to maintain 2008 registration priority.

• Saturday, March 28, receipt (postmarked) deadline for final payments and required documentation.

• Saturday, June 6, Green Lake, Melvin’s on the Lake, Spicer, MN.

• Tuesday, June 23, YMCA Youth Fishing Experience, Lake Independence, Camp Ihduhapi, Loretto, MN.

• Saturday, July 18, Alexandria Chain of Lakes, Arrowwood Resort.

• Saturday, August 15, Lake Minnewaska, Waters Edge, Starbuck, MN.

• Friday, September 11, Lake Minnetonka, Lord Fletcher's, Spring Park, MN.

• Saturday, September 19, Tournament of Champions and Sponsor Tournament, lake and location, TBA.

In closing, while virtually no one escapes the current economic conditions, everyone involved in the Silverado Pro-Am Bass Tour shares the best escape from bad news: a big day on the water fishing to be the best. We look forward to making the Silverado Pro-Am Bass Tour better than ever in 2009 and beyond!

If you have questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to connect with me by phone or email at:
Wireless: 612-747-4337
Email:hildefish@aol.com

The lakes that will be considered "On Limits" include Lake Darling, Lake Carlos, Lake LeHomme Dieu, Lake Geneva & Lake Victoria. All other lakes will be considered "Off Limits!" Responsibility for the confusion belongs to me! Pairings will be posted soon. Thanks and good luck to all! Billy

There are still rooms available at our host site, Arrowwood Resort! Be sure to identify yourself as a Silverado Angler!

Pro Angler, Brandon Moore & Am Partner Cindy Poirier win the 1st stop on Green Lake with a 6 fish limit weighing 20.07 lb. Their Smallmouth limit bested a field of 49 Pros & 49 Am anglers to take home checks of $10,000.00 & $2,000.00 respectively. In spite of 30+ mph winds 'n rain these anglers assured themselves Championship berths with the win! Close behind was Pro Scott Bonnema & Am partner Marty Thompson finishing 2nd. Seth Feider & Chris Wilkerson took 3rd place honors. The Big Bass $500.00 award was earned by Dan Beckermann of Sauk Center with a Smallmouth weighing 4.03 lb.For complete results check the results page on this Official Silverado Pro Am Bass Tour site.

The next stop will be at Arrowwood Resord in Alexandria on July 18! Make plans now to be there. It will be exciting and fun--See you there!

Be sure to have signed up for the Ranger Cup program. For a Pro winning the event & being signed up for the Ranger Cup the cash award is $500 from Ranger Boats. A $100 Ranger clothing certificate will be awarded to the highest finishing Silverado Am angler in the Ranger Cup Program. DON'T FORGET! You must be signed up prior to the tournament!

KFAN Radio AM-1130 will broadcast FAN OUTDOORS live from each Tournament Site from 6:00-8:00am each tournament morning. These broadcasts will be heard all along the Fan Radio Network from Canada, through the Dakotas, across Minnesota, into Iowa and world wide live at www.KFAN.com or download them to your computer at Fan On Demand!

I've had quite a few calls asking for the info sent last season regarding prop & skeg repair. If interested here's the number again for stainless & aluminum prop repair along with skeg repair "Brian's Welding" near Anoka. After talking with him he will offer a 10% discount to Silverado Anglers again this season! Simply identify yourself as fishing the Tour. (612) 817-8929