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Walmart FLW Tour Wraps Day One At Beaver Lake

BEAVER LAKE (KFSM) – The waters of Beaver Lake were full of some of the best anglers in the world on Thursday (Apr. 23) for the official first day of the ...

BEAVER LAKE (KFSM) - The waters of Beaver Lake were full of some of the best anglers in the world on Thursday (Apr. 23) for the official first day of the Walmart FLW Tour.

"We have got 154 of the best bass anglers in the world competing right now on Beaver Lake," said Joe Opager, public relations director for FLW.

Opager said 15 pounds-per-day should put an angler in a good place to win the four-day competition.

"The fishery has gotten better and better each year, and the way it's been going up and up. This year it is a little tougher,” Opager said. “We are here a little later in the season. So, it's struggling a little bit. We may not see as high as we did last year. But, a four day total of 58-to-60 pounds is projected to be the winning amount.”

David Dudley, one of the anglers participating, is sponsored by Bentonville-based Walmart.

"To bring it home to [Walmart’s] hometown would be great," Dudley said.

Dudley said he caught more than 12 pounds of fish on day one, putting him a step closer toward the ultimate goal.

"To win in Walmart’s backyard, that would be an honor,” Dudley said.

With a 91% survival rate, almost all of the fish caught each day are released following weigh ins.

The competition goes through Sunday, and the winner will take home $125,000.

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