By Steve Weisman

The Okoboji Blue Water Festival is set for Saturday, August 11, and it brings with it a day of activities centered on clean water. According to organizer Greg Drees, “We have a special treat for anglers who fish this area. Tommy Skarlis, Iowa native and professional angler, will present a special seminar under the Big Tent from noon to one.”

Sponsored by the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club (IGLFC), Skarlis is excited about this opportunity. “I grew up in Iowa and spent time fishing the Iowa Great Lakes. I’ve been here before with the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club, so I am excited to renew old friendships and make new ones.”

Skaris notes, “The Festival is a phenomenal thing. I truly believe that all of our natural resources revolve around clean water. Certainly, we want to have fun recreating on the water, but it is also important for us to be as respectful and responsible as we can.”

Skarlis plans to tailor his presentation to fit fishing the Iowa Great Lakes, especially West Lake Okoboji and discuss fishing tactics for both walleye and crappie. “West Okoboji is a trip destination for people from all over the country. They want to be part of this incredibly gin clear lake. So, you have pleasure boaters, skiers, sail boaters, kayakers, paddle boarders, swimmers and fishermen. What impresses me the most is that even with all of the recreational pressure, there are great fishing opportunities at the same time. My hope is to share tactics for everybody from beginners to the veteran angler.”

Skarlis addressed the importance of the IGLFC. “The IGLFC is very involved with protecting and improving fisheries across northwest Iowa. It is always great to see volunteers working and educating others about our natural resources. I know how passionate they are about the Festival and sharing their story with others. I want to thank them for bringing me here. ”

According to IGLFC president Terry Thomsen, “We’ve had Tommy here in the past, and he always does a great job of interacting with the audience. The IGLFC is proud to be part of the Okoboji Blue Water Festival and to be able to sponsor the fishing presentation.”

In addition to the seminar, Skarlis will spend much of the day at the IGLFC’s booth and also by the water as he shares his news about the new Evinrude line of motors. “They truly do have the lowest emissions in the industry and meet the European emission standards.”

More about Skarlis

An Iowa native, Skarlis began fishing at age 3. He honed his fishing skills on the Mississippi River, along with the small lakes, farm ponds and expansive reservoirs throughout the Midwest.  Skarlis’ knack for stalking walleyes turned into a tournament-fishing career in 1991.

From 1993 to 1998 he fished the Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC), and along the way earned Team of the Year honors. In additional to qualifying for the Championship eight-out-of-eight times, Skarlis also won the MWC Big Stone Lake Title.

In 1996, Skarlis joined In-Fisherman’s Professional Walleye Trail (PWT). He has since thundered through the circuit, winning the prestigious “PWT Angler of the Year” title in 2004, snatching 17 top-ten finishes, capturing several “Big Fish” Awards, and qualifying for the PWT Championship 13 straight times.

Skarlis earned the nicknames “Mr. Erie” and “Mr. April” by winning the first PWT event of both 2001 at the Detroit River and in 2002 at Lake Erie. In fact, his total weight of 138.28 pounds for 15 fish at the 2002 Lake Erie Event set an all-time world-record for total tournament weight in a professional event. In July of 2003 he became part of an elite group by winning his 3rd PWT event, held on Lake Erie in Dunkirk, NY and in April of 2004, he won his Fourth PWT event in as many years – setting numerous records in the PWT.

And in 2008, he won the most prestigious title in walleye fishing – the FLW Walleye Tour Championship. Skarlis also won the first AIM Pro Walleye Tour Event in 2009 as well as the FLW Walleye tour Red Wing event in 2012. To top it off in 2013, Tommy Skarlis (along with fishing partner Kyle Steinfeldt) won the most prestigious title in crappie fishing – the Crappie Masters National Championship in Grenada Mississippi! All totaled, Skarlis has qualified for 40 national championships, is one of the hottest tourney sticks in the history of competitive fishing and was named one of the Top Ten Anglers on the Planet by Outdoor Life.

Photo submitted