Walleyes Unlimited Holds Annual Banquet After Year-Long Hiatus Due To COVID-19

Two emotional awards highlighted the 2021 Wolf Point Chapter’s Walleyes Unlimited banquet held at the Wolf Point Elks Event Center on Saturday, March 20.

Nancy Hopson was the recipient of the Outstanding Member of the Year award. This marked the first time that such an honor was awarded by the chapter.

“She has become the engine that makes this run,” chapter member Steve Harada said.

He added that Hopson is a treasure for Walleyes Unlimited. She was presented a beautiful blanket made from T-shirts of past Kids’ Fishing Days in an expression of the chapter’s support of her.

“She’s one of the strongest people that I know,” Harada said.

The late Robert “Bob” Helmer was selected the winner of the Angler of the Year award.

Helmer’s awards included being inducted into the Walleyes Unlimited of Montana’s Hall of Fame in 2017, the Fishermen’s Choice Legends Awards in 2012, the Wolf Point Angler of the Year in 2002 and being inducted into the Wolf Point/Poplar Walleyes Unlimited Hall of Fame in 2007.

“He was a good friend of everybody here and was an unanimous pick for this award,” Harada said.

Helmer’s accomplishments included winning the Last Mountain Walleye Classic in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

“He won three walleye tournaments in a row. Nobody does that,” Harada said.

Helmer died in January. Instead of holding a moment of silence on Saturday, Harada led the crowd in a toast for Helmer.

Earning selection into the Wolf Point Chapter’s Hall of Fame were Whit and Carly Rush.

“These two individuals take it to the next level,” chapter president Kris Keller said.

Keller noted the success the husband and wife duo have enjoyed fishing in the area.

The annual banquet event was canceled last year because of COVID restrictions. This year’s banquet was held with smaller, separate tables and fewer tickets available to allow adequate social distancing. There were about 150 individuals served for the banquet.