Wise Guys Stay Hot

May 10, 2014 by Montana Cats Staff

5/10/14 Huntley, MT – The Montana Catfish Association kicked off their first of four tournaments this past weekend with the Yellowstone Challenge in Huntley. With the mighty Yellowstone fluctuating over 10,000 CFS the week leading up to the Challenge and dropping steadily throughout competition day, the difficulty level was ramped up significantly. Couple that with 40 degree ambient temp, 30 MPH wind gusts and 53 degree water and that’s just downright cruel. These nasty ingredients threw a wrench in a lot of pre-tournament planning, however, the full 50 team field proved once again why Catfishermen are the toughest breed out there. Braving the difficult circumstances, an impressive 44 teams weighed fish totaling over 630 lbs.

Despite the extreme conditions and tough bite, there was no cooling down the local duo of Bobby & Robert Wise. The father/son combo pulled away from the full 50 team field with a four fish, 25.4 lb basket and claimed their first Yellowstone Challenge crown. Bobby and Robert picked up where they left off last year, ending the 2013 season with a Monster Cat Roundup Championship in Sidney and a 3rd place finish at Williston, ND in the Missouri River Catfish Clash. The Wise crew finished third in the Montana Catfish Association Angler of the Year standings last year as a result of their scorching end of the year finish and shows no signs of slowing down in 2014.

Tournament veteran Larry Green, coupled with new partner Kevin Massick, once again milked his honey hole for all it’s worth and claimed runner-up honors. Scott Swanson and Jeremiah Johnson claimed third place plaques with an impressive basket of 23.43 lbs. Past Monster Cat Roundup Champs Justin King and Glasgow native Jer Hopstad got back to their winning ways, finishing 4th with 21.89 lbs. Kevin Howie and Travis Kennedy of Billings rounded out the top 5 with 21.79 lbs. Chad Mueller and Kyle Mueller captured sixth place, highlighted by the MONSTER CATFISH of the day, with a 11.64 lb beauty. That trophy fish was good enough to claim the Whisker Seeker Big Fish Award.

The inclement weather couldn’t put a damper on another extremely successful Yellowstone Challenge. Next up on the Montana Cats circuit is the 15th Annual Milk River Catifsh Classic on June 7th. Montana Cats would like to encourage all interested anglers to check out the Monster Cat Roundup in Sidney and the Missouri River Catfish Clash in Williston, ND, as they still have openings. We are once again offering an angler of the year race, which calculates the top 3 of 4 scores from the Montana Cats circuit. B’N’M Rods has stepped up to offer $100 gift certificate for each tourney champion and $250 CASH for the Montana Cats angler of the year. If you are using B’N’M rods you will win $500, so make sure to swoop up some new B’N’M rods.

The Yellowstone Challenge and Montana Cats would like to thank the following sponsors for helping make this tournament possible:

Pryor Creek Bar & Café
Minnow Bucket
Whites Bait Company
Riverside Marine & Cycle (Miles City)
KR Rauch Company, All Awards (Lewistown)
Postnet
Cat River Anchors
Briggs Distributing
Cabelas
Bonehead Tackle
Image Drywall
Express Print Pack and Ship
Outlaw Tattoo
Taste of Asia
Whisker Seeker Tackle
Magic Products Inc.
B’N’M’ Poles

pictures

Pictures for this event can be found here.

big fish

complete results

Posted in: Yellowstone Challenge