Sports Wyoming

Challenging Conditions at Pathfinder Highlight Third Leg of Wyoming Walleye Stampede

Challenging Conditions at Pathfinder Highlight Third Leg of Wyoming Walleye Stampede
Drew Kirby, TSM

The third leg of the 17th annual Wyoming Walleye Stampede wrapped up this past weekend at Pathfinder Reservoir, capping off another competitive and unpredictable round in the multi-stop fishing tournament.

Known for drawing dedicated anglers from across the region, the event once again produced a first-time championship team.

Despite difficult fishing conditions and shifting patterns, Brian Locke and Lori Snodgrass emerged as the weekend’s winners. The couple — who are also parents to a 9-year-old son — climbed from 29th place after day one to claim the top spot with a two-day combined total of 31.15 pounds.

The Wyoming Walleye Stampede is more than just a competition — for many longtime participants, it has taken on the feel of an annual reunion. Several teams, or at least individual anglers, have taken part in the event every year since it began nearly two decades ago. The camaraderie among competitors continues to be a hallmark of the tournament.

This season has seen a unique trend: each of the first three tournaments has been won by a team claiming their first victory — all with strong family ties.

  • Week 1 at Glendo: Father and son Lee and Anthony Apodaca

  • Week 2 at Glendo: Father-in-law and son-in-law Bryan Muncy and Marcus Griffith

  • Week 3 at Pathfinder: Couple Brian Locke and Lori Snodgrass

At Pathfinder, day one saw Jerimiah Lovelace and Chuck Mcauley take an early lead, landing a 28.75-inch walleye and finishing the day with 17.36 pounds, putting them more than three pounds ahead of the next closest team.

Meanwhile, Locke and Snodgrass ended Saturday with 10.06 pounds, placing them far back in 29th. However, their fortunes changed dramatically on Sunday. A 32.25-inch catch kicked off their comeback, followed by several other solid fish that helped secure their final winning total.

Final Standings:

  • 1st Place: Brian Locke & Lori Snodgrass – 31.15 lbs

  • 2nd Place: KC & Curtis McCuiston – 28.67 lbs

  • 3rd Place: Jerimiah Lovelace & Chuck Mcauley – 24.98 lbs

Though challenging, the weekend at Pathfinder delivered a memorable finish and added to the lore of the Wyoming Walleye Stampede. Full results and updates are available on the event’s official Facebook page.

With input from K2 Radio and My Country 95.5.

Joe Yans

Joe Yans is a 25-year-old journalist and interviewer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As a local news correspondent and an opinion section interviewer for Wyoming Star, Joe has covered a wide range of critical topics, including the Israel-Palestine war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and the 2025 LA wildfires. Beyond reporting, Joe has conducted in-depth interviews with prominent scholars from top US and international universities, bringing expert perspectives to complex global and domestic issues.