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Oldest entrant forced to withdraw from recent Governor’s Walleye Cup

Kim Fundingsland/MDN Berkley and Carey Gieser, Garrison, during this year’s Governor’s Walleye Cup Tournament on Lake Sakakakwea. The team finished 27th in the 260 team event.

GARRISON – Oh, he would have been there alright. No question about that, but things didn’t quite work out as planned.

Ken Siegel of Mandan, at 90 years of age the oldest entrant in the recent Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament, stayed home from this year’s event held July 16-17. That wasn’t his intent but darned if a bit of lousy luck didn’t intervene.

Siegel’s fishing partner, 76-year-old Thomas Schmidt of Mandan, encountered some health issues while pre-fishing for this year’s tourney and was forced to withdraw. Therefore, said Siegel, he was without his valued fishing partner.

“We’ve been fishing together about 35 years, I think,” said Siegel. “It was a let down. I was looking forward to it. Every year we look forward to it.”

You bet they do. The aging fishing tandem won the coveted Governor’s Cup in 1997 and again in 2000. Once is great stuff. Twice? Phenomenal.

“I think we’re the only two that won the Governor’s Cup as a couple and we’ve had lots of placements,” remarked Siegel.

Close. Joe and Terry Schnieder teamed up to win the first two Governor’s Cups in 1976 and 1977.

Siegel says he and his partner have primarily fished crankbaits through the years, preferring the popular firetiger color. However, he said, “We use different kinds too.”

When asked if he intended to fish the 2022 Governor’s Walleye Cup, Siegel quickly responded, “If I’m alive. That’s a long ways away at my age.”

Another senior citizen that is a familiar face at the Governor’s Cup is Ronald Krebsbach. Krebsbach has been on the tournament committee almost since its beginning in 1976.

“I wasn’t at the very first one. I think the second or third, but I’m not positive on that,” remarked Krebsbach. “That was 40-some years ago. Hard to remember everything now. I’ve never fished it. Always on the committee.”

Krebsbach says he recalls the one time a governor actually showed up for the Governor’s Cup.

“I believe it was George Sinner,” said Krebsbach. “He was at Pick City for something and came over real quick. It was basically over when he got here but he did show up.”

At 77 years of age Krebsbach isn’t yet ready to relinquish his role on the tournament committee. As he puts it, “I do it until I can’t, as long as I’m able.”

The 47annual Governor’s Walleye Cup is scheduled for July 15-16, 2022.

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