Bill Krawisz, the editor of The Hook and Line Newsletter for Salmon Unlimited of Illinois, sent this update on the tournament last weekend:

Kirk Morris, John Messina, Arnie Arrendondo, Myself and the rest of the Tournament Committee vowed last year to work our buts off and get more boats out for this Tournament. I would say mission accomplished. We went from 28 boats in 2009 to over 70 boats in 2010. The biggest jump was on the Amateur side. I feel very lucky and proud to be a part of this team. We donated almost 3000 lbs of Salmon Fillets to the IL Food Depository. We raised a large amount of money for the IL Military Family Relief Fund. We awarded cash to the the Pro and Amateur winners. Many other prizes such as cash, gift cards, tackle and misc prizes went to the fishermen and the vets. I finished in the middle of the Amateur side but my reward came on Sunday when we took PFC John Jans of the First Marine Division out for a day on Lake Michigan. His smile after he brought in the 15 lb King (attached) was worth more to me than if I came in first place. I saw many disabled vets with big smiles that day and I realized that this is what this Tournament is all about. Thanks everyone, especially those who worked tirelessly on shore to pull this off. S/U IL, S/U WI and Chitown Anglers all played a huge part as well.