Narrator 2

Well, next to it. Rossford is on the east bank of the Maumee River, a mere eight miles upstream from Lake Erie. And you know what's in Lake Erie? Walleye.

They're fantastic eating. White, flaky, not too many bones. Good to fry, grill, bake, whatever.

They're fantastic eating. White, flaky, not too many bones. Good to fry, grill, bake, whatever.

Or bull testicles are to Clinton, Montana.

Or bull testicles are to Clinton, Montana.

And those fish were going to make Rossford famous. In 2017, the city hosted the first ever Rossford Walleye Roundup. Competitive fishing. For money. That was Rossford's ticket to greatness.

And those fish were going to make Rossford famous. In 2017, the city hosted the first ever Rossford Walleye Roundup. Competitive fishing. For money. That was Rossford's ticket to greatness.

And you can win a lot, thousands of dollars, sometimes tens of thousands, maybe even a new boat. Most tournaments last two days, but the big granddaddy at the end of the season, the walleye fall brawl, goes on for weeks and pays out more than $100,000 to first place. Rossford, in 2017, couldn't afford anything like that. It was a small tournament, brand new, but a city can dream.

And you can win a lot, thousands of dollars, sometimes tens of thousands, maybe even a new boat. Most tournaments last two days, but the big granddaddy at the end of the season, the walleye fall brawl, goes on for weeks and pays out more than $100,000 to first place. Rossford, in 2017, couldn't afford anything like that. It was a small tournament, brand new, but a city can dream.

Mayor Neal says that a lot. The biggest tournament on planet Earth.

Mayor Neal says that a lot. The biggest tournament on planet Earth.

We're in the back room of a bar called Moe's Place on Rossford's very short main drag.

We're in the back room of a bar called Moe's Place on Rossford's very short main drag.

Bass Pro Shops was the main sponsor. There were 13 two-person teams for the first Rossford Walleye Roundup, each of which paid a $500 entry fee. After two days of fishing, the winner was a father-and-son team from Michigan. They took home $3,500, new rods and reels, and free lodging and entry for next year's roundup.

Bass Pro Shops was the main sponsor. There were 13 two-person teams for the first Rossford Walleye Roundup, each of which paid a $500 entry fee. After two days of fishing, the winner was a father-and-son team from Michigan. They took home $3,500, new rods and reels, and free lodging and entry for next year's roundup.

And it kept growing year after year. The 2020 roundup was canceled because of COVID, but the next year, 2021, was a monster comeback. Almost 50 teams and a total payout of $30,000.

And it kept growing year after year. The 2020 roundup was canceled because of COVID, but the next year, 2021, was a monster comeback. Almost 50 teams and a total payout of $30,000.

By 2022, Rossford was attracting some of the best walleye fishers around. There were two guys, in fact, that everyone in walleye world was talking about. Two guys who'd been on the most remarkable tear of anybody in... Well, walleye history.

By 2022, Rossford was attracting some of the best walleye fishers around. There were two guys, in fact, that everyone in walleye world was talking about. Two guys who'd been on the most remarkable tear of anybody in... Well, walleye history.

And they were coming to Rossford.