ESPN Freshwater

What a whirlwind last few days I've had. Since our Oct. 8 broadcast of The Fishing Fanatics radio show featuring legendary pro walleye angler Pete Harsh, the phone hasn't stopped ringing about Harsh's "controversial" commentary.

First off, let me tell you who Pete Harsh is. He's one of the top pro walleye tournament anglers in the country. He's been fishing the various circuits for the better part of two decades.

Not only does he have longevity, but he's won several events, including an Angler of the Year title, and is almost always a lock-in to cash a check. Plus, he has a keen business mind and is an ultra-loyal angler to his sponsors. When he says he uses and or endorses a product, he isn't kidding. He's known as a man of his word.

After the show was over last week, I posted a link to our show on the famous WalleyeCentral.com Web site. This site is considered the final word in the world of professional walleye fishing and walleye fishing in general. And boy, oh boy did that post kick up some dust.

While on the show, Harsh commented that the pro walleye tournament fishing world is in trouble and that right now the advent of the new AIM (Anglers Insight Marketing) may actually be a negative at this time for the survival of the sport.

Points made were many, but the basic concept of dividing the limited resource (pro walleye anglers) over two organizations isn't presenting anything attractive to the potential sponsor pool.

Harsh said he felt it would have been better for AIM to have organized and produced a one-off event to start and slowly make its way and provide a top-notch pro offering and then expand into a series when and only when anglers could actually have a chance to make money.

Instead, the reality of pro walleye fishing is that there are now two pro trails. The AIM group never even achieved 50 percent full fields, except at their pay-to-play championship. The other pro offering, the FLW Walleye Tour, averaged just about two-thirds full fields. Neither of these options is particularly attractive to potential sponsors.

Harsh also pointed out that the former PWT (Professional Walleye Trail) tended to be run by the various "good ole boys" of the PWT, where a few favored sons pushed the organization in a direction that simply benefited the few as opposed to making the circuit strong for all. Harsh indicated that AIM is being run in a similar fashion.

So what's the big deal? A top pro speaks his mind. Whoopdeedoo.

Well, apparently, it is a big deal. In a matter of days, thousands of folks have checked out the post and many have now chimed in with some incredible conversation. Some posts even have pros threatening litigation because someone expressed similar opinions as Harsh.

I say the heck with all of those who wish to shout down Pete Harsh or others who speak their minds.

Whether you agree with Harsh or not, he's speaking from a super successful pro angler's viewpoint, from a top earner's perspective. This is a man who hustles his backside off to make a living at the pro fishing game.

The words may be tough to hear, but if we don't swallow the pill, we are going to remain ill. If the pro walleye fishing scene has any chance of surviving, we have to stop shouting each other down and threatening lawsuits.

It's time to work together or give up the game, boys and girls.

Dave and Kristin Landahl host The Fishing Fanatics, www.TheFishingFanatics.com, radio show on ESPN radio affiliate AM 1360 WLBK in northern Illinois Thursday evenings from 6-7 PM Central time. You can also tune in to hear The Fishing Fanatics at www.1360wlbk.com and check them out at www.walleyecentral.com