Well, Walleye Wisdom Watchers, Chris Burns almost made the cut to the top 10 finalists at the FLW Walleye Tour event on the Illinois River at Spring Valley, IL. Chris finished the two-day qualifier with six fish weighing 9 pounds 10 ounces. He was knocked out by Pro Dan Stier from Mina, SD, at the very end of Friday’s weigh-in. Stier’s weight for his total of 10 fish was 10 pounds 10 ounces!! One more Sauger would have helped Chris make the cut. Friday’s weather conditions were almost as difficult as Thursday’s–winds were blowing heavy from the southeast at 30-40 mph. Chris was pulling his three-way setup–heavy jig tipped with a minnow on the bottom, and a snell back to a small floating Rapala. Friday was a difficult day for Chris because on Thursday late afternoon his dog and companion, Chloe, had to be put to sleep. Old age and a stroke meant it was time to let her go. Chris’s son, Nick, was at the vet’s office when she died. We were driving back to Davenport from Spring Valley at the time. I admire Chris’s determination to get back at it on Friday and his strong finish in the tournament. Jacob Lapine from Fond Du Lac, WI, was in the lead with a limit of ten fish over the two days weighing 15 pounds 14 ounces. The final day event is Saturday, May 1st. Please check out www.walleyecentral.com or our link to the FLW site for the day’s results. Thanks to Mike G. for posting the video and written reports and to each of you for following our Twitter and tournament information. By the way, I caught a total of four fish over the two days for just over 4 pounds. My Pros and I worked hard but we just didn’t connect with the right fish! My next event is at Lake Winnebago in June. Chris will not be there because of his daughter’s wedding. Keep watchin’! Spike