"Bring it on!" is the general sentiment going around the PWT (Professional Walleye Trail) tournaments when it comes to some of the top walleye fishing pros in the country teaming up with the elite BASS pros this July for the ESPN Great Outdoor Games in Madison Wis. Sure, walleye pros don't flip jig-and-pigs or slow-roll spinnerbaits, but they do know how to use their electronics, read maps and present lures to catch walleyes. As far as many of the PWT pros are concerned, fishing for bass along with walleyes in a tournament setting will not be very difficult, but will be exciting.

	Ron Seelhoff

Two pro walleye anglers who are completely pumped up and want a shot and combining bass and walleye fishing are the reigning PWT Angler of the Year, Bill Ortiz of Dodgeville, Wis., and the all-time money maker on the PWT and two-time PWT Champion — including a victory in 1999 on the Madison Chain — Ron Seelhoff of Lewellen, Neb.

"I am really looking forward to this," said Seelhoff. "I am paired with Rick Clunn. This is very exciting to be fishing with guys you have read about for years and now you get to share the boat and try and win a tournament. It will be a lot of fun."

Seelhoff is a five-time winner on the PWT, including a victory in 1999 on the Madison Chain of Lakes where the Great Outdoor Games fishing tournament will be held this year. Seelhoff doesn't feel there will be any advantage to his previous success on this system.

"It was almost five years ago when I won on this system, lots of things could have changed by now," said Seelhoff. "Seriously, I have heard that about there being an advantage, but I do not feel that it exists. We will just have to work together to figure out a game plan."

Tracker Boats pro Bill Ortiz feels this tournament will be an eye-opener for him and for fishing fans across North America.

"There is no doubt in my mind this tournament is going to raise the level of awareness for walleye pros to the general public," said Ortiz. "Fishing fans are going to be able to see just how much knowledge walleye pros have about general fishing. As far as what I will get out of it, well I am really looking forward to seeing how the bass guys fish tournaments."

Ortiz also feels he will be able to take away a few ideas he can use for his days on the PWT trail.

"If you pay attention to precisely what the bass guys are doing during the tournament, I guarantee I will be able to pick up a few tips I can relate to walleye fishing," said Ortiz. "Maybe the bass guys will be able to pick up things from us too, like our skills at reading electronics."

Ortiz, known as a very intense and reserved angler is teamed up with bass fishings' wild man and current Classic Champ Mike Iaconnelli. Ortiz feels this will be an advantage for both anglers.

"I have only seen Mike on television during tournaments," said Ortiz. "He is the guy yelling and screaming while he is on the deck after he catches fish. I think that is great that he is that exciting and energetic. I am very intense in the boat. Hopefully, if we need to get mad to catch our limits the two of us with our intensity will be able to do it."

Ortiz hopes a few future walleye pros are created after watching this event.

"I hope that some anglers out there watching the tournament who have not really thought about fishing walleye tournaments will get enthused by seeing us in this venue," said Ortiz. "I think it will open their eyes and see that walleye fishing is more than just soaking a worm or floating a bobber. To be a successful walleye tournament angler you need plenty of experience, practice and skill."

The world of competitive angling will find out just how intense and explosive a combination the bass and walleye worlds are when they combine during the Great Outdoor Games on July 8 through 11.