WON Bass Nevada Region

Roundtree and Elliott Bring in Double Didget Bag to Win Final Tournment of the Season

BY

Larry Duncan

Nevada Region Tournament Director

Callville Bay Marina, NV 5-31-08 - Having to switch sites for the canceled April 5th tournament scheduled for Lake Mohave, Lake Mead provide a beautiful venue for the final tournament of the year for the WON Bass Nevada Region. Only fishing their second tournament in the WON Bass Nevada Region this year the team of Randy Roundtree and Bump Elliott made the most of their day on the waters at Lake Mead.

Long time WON Bass supporters, Roundtree and Elliott, showed the field of 13 how to catch bass. Lake Mead provide no match for the dynamic duo. Randy and Bump brought in the big bag of the tournament tipping the scales at 12.24 lbs. they also managed to land the second biggest fish of the tournament weighing in at 2.64 lbs. It was a good day for them compared to most of the other times they have been able to fish our region in the past two years. Having boat troubles or blanking in two of the past three starts and finishing first out of the money in last years finale it seems it either all or nothing.

In second place was one of this year’s premier team, Dee Jay Evans and Chris Landerman. Having already won three tournaments this year Evans and Landerman were looking to make Lake Mead their fourth. Coming up a little short at the end of the day, weighing in a total of 10.22 lbs with a big fish of 2.54 lbs. Evans and Landerman finished second in the tournament but managed to win Anglers of the Year by a mere nine points over their closest rivals, Danny Branscum and Troy Duncan.

Finishing in third was the team of Jesse Milicevic and Tim “Gimpy” Myers. Milicevic and Myers finished strong in the last tournament of the year to erase their poor finish in the prior tournament in March. Almost hitting that double digit weight they managed to bring in 9.48 lbs. but unfortunately for them and one of their bass, they weighed in a dead fish and it cost them 0.20 lb. penalty. Their big bass weighed in at 1.93 lbs.

Finishing in the top five for the third straight tournament was the team of David Naugle and his brother William Naugle. Having missed the first tournament of the season and fishing the next two by him self, David was able keep them in it, finishing in eight place overall for the season. They brought five fish in for a total weight of 9.13 lbs. but did catch the big fish of the tournament weighing 2.77 lbs.

Our fifth place team has had its ups and downs this season but finished in the top five for the second time this year. The team of Dwayne Kurr and Ken Radke had their first five fish limit this year weighing in 8.98 lbs. with a big fish of 1.90 lbs.

Dwayne brought his father and brother in to the WON Bass family this year. His dad, Elmer, his brother, Bill, didn’t have the best year all due to the fact Elmer has never fished the front of the boat before and Bill was competing in his first competition as back seat angler. We all are very proud of the way they preformed this season and look for better thing next year. Dwayne also sponsored, out of his own pocket, our smallest big fish of the tournament for each one this year. Ken and his wife Mary were instrumental in designing and producing our sixth thru tenth place certificates this year. I want to thank them all for the time and money they spent making our circuit the best it could be. Their efforts shows how committed the anglers in our organization are to the sport of bass fishing.

The dark horse of the season was the performance of our youngest angler on the circuit this year. With the help of his uncle, Mike Helm, Logan Branscum out fished the likes of his dad, Danny, and his partner Troy Duncan and John and Tammy Morrow to finish in sixth place with 8.67 lbs and the third big fish of the tournament a nice 2.61 lb. largemouth. Catching most of the fish for the team, Logan gave up an opportunity to play in a youth football All Star game having earned the right to play after being picked by the coaches of the league. Logan wanted to finish the tournament season and hopefully moving up in the standing and qualifying for the Tournament of Champions in October at Lake Havasu. As of this writing the final qualifiers have not been determined but he didn’t hurt his chances by finishing 10th over all this season.

Looking back as the season ends we really had a good year from the standpoint of crowning new Anglers of the Year, one of the youngest anglers in WON Bass is on the bubble to qualify for the TOC, and we gained some new friends and teams. As tournament director I would like to have more teams competing for the benefit of all of the anglers but I couldn’t ask for any better people to work with. You are all not only great angler but great people, it has been by pleasure to have put on our circuit for you.

Thanks to our national sponsors who make it possible to put on our pro and team circuits. Without their support we couldn’t do what we do. Thanks to our newest sponsor Nitro Boats and Bass Pro Shops. Also our long time sponsors Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Plano, Owner Hooks and all of our other fine sponsors.

Thanks to our local sponsors whose support makes it possible to put on our raffles and BBQ. Thanks to Stoney’s Rockin’ Country for their supplying us with shirts and hats, water, energy drinks, sponsoring the release boat for some of our tournaments, and sponsoring our end of the year BBQ for our anglers and their families. Thanks to Blue Ribbon Trophies for their continued support and sponsoring our Big Fish award for each tournament and making up our sponsor trophies. If you need any awards please support Blue Ribbon Trophies they are very good at what they do. Thanks to Rick Powers for his design of the AOY trophies, they are awesome. Thanks to our long time friend Tom Phillips and Phillips Fishing Products for their support and for coming out and fishing with us. Thanks to Tami and Troy Duncan of the LIA Foundation for donating goodie bags for our raffles. Thanks to John Good of Good’s Photographics. If anyone needs a photographer he’s the best around. Thanks to Pro Tackle, Ken and Mary Radke for the sixth to tenth place certificates and Team Kurr Professional Bass Fishing (sponsor of the smallest big fish award).

Special thanks to the Pioneer Hotel and Gambling Hall for their donation of the three day to night getaways for our end of the year raffles and Bonnie Spring at Old Nevada for their donation of the four breakfast rides. We all appreciate their support.

Thanks to Randy Roundtree and Bump Elliott for sponsoring the live release boat for our tournament. Also thanks to Stoney’s personal assistant Kit Rose and her daughter Tara for pitching in and helping check boats and set up the raffle.

Last but certainly not lease I want to thank my extended family, my team. If it weren’t for their continued help and support we would not be able to put on our circuit. They work very hard behind the scenes to bring everything together. Those of you who have had an opportunity to run a tournament you know how much work is involved. Thanks to my assistant director Teri Helm, the best in the business bar none. Her husband and my weigh master Mike Helm. Ron Branscum who does everything we need him for, from checking boats in and out to helping with the release boat. He’s one of a kind. Morgan Helm for her help with registration and anything we need help with. To Danny Branscum and Troy Duncan for helping with morning boat checks and getting me and my boat off the water at night. A special thanks to team Logan, Logan Branscum, for going out last and coming off the water early to help with weigh in, had he been able to fish longer who knows how he would have finished.

Most of all I want to thank all those who fished with us this year. I hope you had fun and will come back next year and join us again. On behave of my staff thank you and we hope to see you next season.

Don’t forget, Jim Kirkwood is hosting an open team tournament on Saturday June 14th at Callville Bay.

Evans and Landerman Win Third of the Season with 17.25 lbs. on Lake Mohave

BY
Larry Duncan
Nevada Region Tournament Director

 Cottonwood Cove, NV 3-9-08 – As the top two teams separated themselves from the pack in Saturday’s tournament there was still five teams left that had a chance in the race for Anglers of the Year. The closest teams to the top two were Tim Myers and Jesse Milicevic, who trailed the first place team of Evans and Landerman by six points and the second place team of Branscum and Duncan by four points. The fourth place team of Pat Donoho and Bobby Ellis trailed first by 11 points, while the team of Marc Knudsen and Ron Walls trailed by 12 points. This tournament could be the breaking point for some teams.

With high wind warnings Saturday night, Sunday’s tournament was in doubt. As launch time drew near the wind laid down and the tournament was a go. After a tough day fishing Saturday only 14 teams braved Sunday’s tournament.

The wind started blowing again around 10:00 am and a couple of teams, not getting a bite, decided to call it a day. On one of the toughest days on the lake only six of the 14 teams brought fish to the scales and only three caught limits. With only the six team catching fish, the leader board would soon change for many of the angler vying for Anglers of the Year.

Taking their third tournament of the year the team of Dee Jay Evans and Chris Landerman finished off the weekend with the top bag of the day with five fish weighing in at 17.25 lbs. That gave them a total of 34.06 lbs for the two tournaments. It appeared that their strategy of not continuing to fish Saturday and saving their spots for Sunday’s tournament paid off. They also had big fish of the tournament that weighed 4.65 lbs. By winning Evan and Landerman solidified their hold at the top of the standings.

In second place was the team of Dan Unten and Ray Coleman. They managed to bring five fish in for a total of 12.17 lbs. and a big fish of 3.84 lbs. Dan fished Saturday’s by himself due to work commitments by Ray. Only catching one small keeper Saturday, Unten sealed their place in the Tournament of Champions at Lake Havasu in October.

In third place for the second day was the team of Danny Branscum and Troy Duncan. Starting the day only two points behind Evan and Landerman Danny and Troy were the only other team to catch a limit. They weighed in an 11.54 lb. bag with a big fish of 3.09 lbs. Their effort kept them within striking distance of the leaders by being only for points behind with one tournament left.

Fourth place belonged to the team of Marc Knudsen and Ron Walls. Marc and Pat didn’t have as good a day as they had hope for but still brought in the fourth double digit bag at 10.45 lbs. with a big fish of 3.48 lbs. Losing ground to the leaders Marc and Ron have their work cut out for them if they want to repeat as Anglers of the Year. To make up 15 points in the last tournament will be difficult but not impossible for the two anglers.

Finishing fifth was the team of David Naugle and William Naugle. Fishing fifth again put hem in a position to make the TOC with a decent finish in the last Lake Mohave tournament in April. They caught 3 fish for a total of 5.25 lbs. and a big fish of 2.49 lbs.

They only other team to bring fish to the scale was the team of Pat Donoho and Bobby Ellis. They weighed in 2 fish for 5.15 lbs. with a big fish of 2.62 lbs.

After one of the toughest days of fishing all season it will all come down to the final tournament to determine the Anglers of the Year. Will Evans and Landerman finish ahead of Branscum and Duncan the most consistent team over the last eight year failing to bring a limit in only once during that time. The pressure is on, who will melt down first, the new team or the top team for the past several years. That question will be answered at Lake Mohave on April 5 about 3:15 pm.

I want to thank our National Sponsors Nitro Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Mercury, MotorGuide, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and Owner Hooks. We appreciate their continued support of our organization.

I want to thank our local sponsors Stoney’s Rockin Country, Blue Ribbon Trophies for sponsoring our big fish awards, Tom Phillips and Phillips Fish Products, LIA Foundation, Helping Special Causes Charities, Good’s Photographics, Pro Tackle, Ken and Mary Radke for the sixth to tenth place certificates and Team Kurr Professional Bass Fishing (sponsor of the smallest big fish award). Without their help our tournament to tournament expenses would be overwhelming.

As usual I want to thank my staff. Without their help we would not be able to put on our tournaments. Most anglers are unaware of what goes into putting on a tournament and I feel we have one of the best staffs in the business. Thank you to Mike, Teri and Morgan Helm, Ron Danny and Logan Branscum and Troy Duncan.

Our next tournament will be at Lake Mohave on April 5. Look forward to seeing you all there.

Knudsen and Walls bring in Over

18 lbs. to Win Lake Mohave

BY
Larry Duncan
Nevada Region Tournament Director

 Cottonwood Cove, NV – The WON Bass Nevada Region moved to Lake Mohave to contest two tournaments in March. With the Angler of The Year race one of the tightest in several years; six teams were within 13 points of the lead. The two tournaments at Lake Mohave should narrow the field down.

With the wind starting to blow on Saturday afternoon, 19 teams were hoping to advance in the standings. At weigh in time 17 teams brought fish to the scale. Fishing was tough but five teams managed to weigh-in five fish limits.

Having won the third tournament of the year, the reigning Anglers of the Year, Marc Knudsen and Ron Walls looked to make it two win in the last three tournaments. Knudsen and Wall had a rough day but managed to bring in a huge bag that tipped the scales at 18.38 lbs. with a hog that weighed in at 4.52 lbs. Marc and Ron’s hard work paid off by not only winning the tournament but also big fish of the tournament honors. The win moved them up to fifth in the year to date standings.

Two time winners Dee Jay Evans and Chris Landerman had a great day. Having caught their limit by 10:00 am they decided to take a gamble and not try to catch any additional fish that day. They wanted to save some of the spots for the tournament the next day. They were hoping their decision would pay off. They brought the limit to the scales and weighed in a total of 16.81 lbs. and a big fish of 4.47 lbs. to win second big fish of the tournament. Their second place finish was good enough to hold on to their lead in the standings.

Finishing in third was the team of Danny Branscum and Troy Duncan. Danny and Troy were hoping to gain ground on Evans and Landerman but their 14.89 lbs. and big fish of 3.36 lbs. kept them just second place behind Evans and Landerman.

In fourth place was the team of Pat Donoho and Bobby Ellis. Pat and Bobby brought in a limit that weighed in at 14.87 lbs. and a big fish of 3.39 lbs.

Fifth Place went to the team of David Naugle and William Naugle. The Naugle’s are new to our circuit this. They had four fish that weighed 14.44 lbs. and tied for third big bass at 4.44 lbs. This is the first tournament of the year that David has fished with his brother William and it paid off.

The only other team to bring in a limit and double digit weight was the team of Tim Myers and Jesse Milicevic. They weighed in 12.75 lbs. and big fish of 3.00 lbs.

Another new team to the circuit was the team of Chris Irigoyen and Chris Akey. They didn’t have a very good day but managed to bag a 4.44 lb. bass to tie for third big fish of the day. Also a first time angler to the circuit was John Davidson from Bullhead City.

I want to thank our National Sponsors Nitro Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Mercury, MotorGuide, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and Owner Hooks. We appreciate their continued support of our organization.

I want to thank our local sponsors Stoney’s Rockin Country, Blue Ribbon Trophies for sponsoring our big fish awards, Tom Phillips and Phillips Fish Products, LIA Foundation, Helping Special Causes Charities, Good’s Photographics, Pro Tackle, Ken and Mary Radke for the sixth to tenth place certificates and Team Kurr Professional Bass Fishing (sponsor of the smallest big fish award). Without their help our tournament to tournament expenses would be overwhelming.

As usual I want to thank my staff. Without their help we would not be able to put on our tournaments. Most anglers are unaware of what goes into putting on a tournament and I feel we have one of the best staffs in the business. Thank you to Mike, Teri and Morgan Helm, Ron Danny and Logan Branscum and Troy Duncan.

Rick Clunn, a Personal Prospective

Las Vegas, NV – I was recently informed that the Worlds Greatest Bass Fisherman, Rick Clunn, would be attending the Las Vegas Bass Pro Shops Fishing Classic on March 1st. I thought that since the WON Bass Nevada Region would also be attending the classic on the second and third weekends in March, I would take my father to Las Vegas to see Rick. There were two reasons for this, one as a representative of WON Bass I was going to invite Rick to fish in our U.S. Open that had just been moved to August. The second reason was Rick Clunn is a family member. Neither my father nor I had talked with Rick in several years and I thought a family get together would be nice.

Rick was appearing with the newest Bass Masters Classic winner Alton Jones at the annual Bass Pro Shops Classic as part of their commitment as Bass Pro Shops Staff Pros. I met with Rick just prior to him sitting down for an autograph signing session. We chatted for a few minutes and then I sat back and watched him talk with his fans. There were fans of all ages and back grounds. The staff at BPS was some of the first in line. Fans talked about their fishing experiences, asked for tips on Lake Mead, and what types of baits to use. One man even brought in his dog to meet Rick and Alton, in a shopping cart. He sign pictures, hats, tee shirt and some of the staff had him sign their BPS work shirts. Then there were the pictures. One person would pose with Rick then change places with someone else.

During a lull in the signing I asked Rick a few questions. I asked him, after being in the business for so long and with the success that he has achieved if he still had the passion he had when he started. He told me, “I still love to fish. I find it harder to get myself in to that since of urgency I need to win. I know that if there is two hours left and I have 25 lbs. and I know I need to catch 28 lbs. to win, I fish harder. I know most anglers that have a limit with two hours left will slow down or if they don’t will give up and that’s when I turn it on. Most anglers are like a car, they have three or four speeds. I know I have to have five or six speeds especially when it comes down to the last few hours. I still have that drive but it’s a little harder to get into those gears.” It may be more difficult but you can still see the fire in his eyes.

I continued to watch as he signed autographs and answered questions. Towards the end of the session, Logan Branscum the son of one of our regions anglers, Danny Branscum, came by to get some autographs and talk fishing. Logan is 10 year old and is one of our region best anglers. I watched as Rick talked to him and it reminded me of a similar occasion many years ago. Rick was doing a seminar for Anglers Marine back when they were in Santa Ana; my father took my son, Troy Duncan, to meet his famous cousin. Troy was just starting to get interested in bass fishing at that time. After listening to Rick’s seminar my father introduced him to his cousin. They talked for a while and then Troy wanted to buy some tackle. Rick took him around the store and picked out several baits and gave them to him. Rick also gave him a rod that was presented to him when he won the Redman Tournament. The rod had Ricks name embossed in gold on the butt. To this day that is one of Troy’s treasured items. Just as then, Rick talked with Logan about what baits to use for smallmouth and then autographed some baits for him. This was a special moment in a young angler’s life that Logan will remember for ever.

After the autograph session we had time to set and talk about family and fishing. During our conversation Rick told us a story about his first fishing experience. He said he was very young and they were visiting family near Fresno California. One of the relatives had a boat and wanted to take everyone fishing. It turned out they didn’t have room enough for everyone so Rick, his dad and one of the other relatives fished from the bank. Rick said he threw the line out and like the typical kid, “I just stood there not paying attention kicking at the dirt when bam, his pole bent down.” He said “it scared me and I ran back up the bank drag the fish out of the water. The fish came off the hook and I ran down and jumped on it to keep it from flopping back in to the water. I rolled around on it to get a hold of it. It was about a pound, pound and a half, but I had up against my chest holding on. I remember smelling that bass smell all over me. Every time a catch a bass and smell it, it bring back memories of that day.”

As we continued talking we talked about his dad and mom. He said his mom, Daphine, was his biggest fan, while his dad was his biggest critic. He told me after his dad, Holmes retired he took him to a tournament to help him pre-fish. Rick said, “The first day we were out it was really hard. We could find anything. On the second day we finally found the bass. I caught three and my dad had caught two. I pulled up the trolling motor, sat down and started the motor and looked over and my dad wasn’t sitting next to me. I turned around and he was still sitting on the rear seat. I said come on dad we have to go. Dad just sat there and looked at me and then said, we’ve been out here two days and haven’t caught anything, now when we finally start catching them you want to leave? I’ll never forget the look on his face. I had to explain that I couldn’t catch them that day; I had to save them for the tournament. That was a special day for me.”

Having known Rick and his commitment to the sport of bass fishing I thought I knew all about him. Yet I learned much more about the Worlds Best Bass Fisherman, and even more about the man. Just to watch him talk with his fans, pass along little hints to the young anglers, his love for fishing and life in general makes him the champion not only in the sport of bass fishing but also as a roll model for everyone. If more professional athletes had his caring attitude, integrity and moral make-up of Rick Clunn, our kids would have all the roll models they could ever need.
 

Tough Bite No Match for Evans & Landerman

By

Larry Duncan

Tournament Director

Callville Bay, NV 2-16-08 On a day when bites were few and far between, any keeper would be worth its weight in gold. With only two teams able to bag a limit, Deejay Evans and Chris Landerman proved to be the team to catch. While everybody struggled Evans and Landerman made it look easy.

After joking about never getting to their first spot Evans and Landerman were forced to go on to their second area. Landerman said,” after I we got there I threw out and hooked our big fish (3.51 lbs.).” Evans said, “after that everything just started to go our way, I threw out two time and hooked two three pounders. Everything we did we caught big fish.” Both anglers said it was just one of those days. They finished up with 13.29 lbs. That was a far cry from the fish brought in last week in the Anglers Choice Tournament at Lake Mead. Landerman told me that the caught a three and three quarter pound largemouth and it didn’t even come close to culling out what they already had in the boat. Some of the other teams would loved to had the ones they tossed back.

In second place, a good distance back, was Danny Branscum and Troy Duncan. Bring in the only other limit they felt they had a real shot at winning. Branscum and Duncan managed to weigh in 9.76 lbs. with a big fish of 2.60 lbs.

Finishing in third place was the team of Dwayne Kurr and Ken Radke. Arriving late Friday night from San Diego after getting stuck in snow Radke was ready to fish. After weighing in 6.56 lbs. with a big fish of 2.49 lbs. they thought they were out of it. At the award presentation I asked Kurr why he was so unhappy looking. He said “ I would be this way if We had fished better. As it worked out not ony did they finish third but two other options including the 8 lb. option. I guess it wasn’t such a bad day of fishing after all.

Fishing well enough to keep them within two point of the lead in the Anglers of the Year was the team of Tim Myers and Jesse Milicevic. Weighing in 6.27 lbs and the second big fish of the tournament a huge 3.37 lb. largemouth. Their effort help them keep pace with the teams of Evans & Landerman and Branscum & Duncan for the lead.

In fifth place was the team of Pat Donoho and Bobby Ellis. They brought three bass to the scale for a total of 5.54 lbs. and their big fish of 2.43 lbs.

Fishing was hard but the anglers rose to the occasion and did what it took to bring fish to the scales Congratulation to them all for a job well done.

I want to thank one of our local sponsors Stoney’s Rockin Country for their support and sponsoring the use of the live release boat at Callville Bay and supplying my staff with sweatshirts for out tournaments. Thank you from all of our anglers.

I want to thank our major sponsors for their continued support. Thanks to Nitro Boats, Bass Pro Shops, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Costa Del Mar, Owner Hooks and all of the others that make our circuit successful.
Thanks to our local sponsors Stoney’s Rockin Country, Blue Ribbon Trophies for sponsoring our big fish awards, Tom Phillips and Phillips Fish Products, LIA Foundation, Helping Special Causes Charities, Good’s Photographics, Pro Tackle, Ken and Mary Radke for the sixth to tenth place certificates and Team Kurr Professional Bass Fishing (sponsor of the smallest big fish award). A special thanks to Lora French for putting up with us at the Callville Bay Restaurant. Without their help our tournament to tournament expenses would be overwhelming.

As usual I want to thank my staff. Without their help we would not be able to put on our tournaments. Most anglers are unaware of what goes into putting on a tournament and I feel we have one of the best staffs in the business. Thank you to Mike, Teri and Morgan Helm, Ron Danny and Logan Branscum and Troy Duncan.

Our next tournament will be at Lake Mohave on March 8 & 9. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Youngest Angler Bags Big Bull to Gain Top Honors at Lake Mead
By
Larry Duncan
Tournament Director

 Callville Bay, NV 1-20-08 – As the dawn broke, 17 teams ventured out on Lake Mead where the temperature hover around the low 30’s. After a hard day of fish on Saturday the anglers hoped for a better bite. Although the number of limit caught on Saturday was more than expected Sunday’s tournament would prove even more difficult. Fortunately the wind held off till after weigh in.

The youngest angler fishing was Logan Branscum, only 10 years old and fishing in his fifth WON Bass Tournament. Logan’s partner was his uncle, Mike Helm. Both anglers are part of the Nevada Regions Tournament Staff and as such where the last team out and the first one in. With less time on the water than the other teams Branscum and Helm made the most of it. They managed to hook one bass after snapping of two other and that one fish weighed in at a whooping 4.21 lbs earning them big fish of the tournament. By the way, that big bass was landed by Logan Branscum.

The day proved to be a lot different that Saturdays tournament where there were six limits only four were brought in Sunday. On Saturday every team brought at least one fish to the scale, but four teams blanked on Sunday.

Leading the way was last years Anglers of the Year Marc Knudson and Ron Walls. Weighing in about three pounds less than they did the day before, they still managed to bring in a limit weighing 9.89 lbs. On Saturday Walls garnered big fish honors, not wanting to be out done Knudsen hauled in a 4.03 to finish with the second big fish of the day.

After a slow start Saturday the new team of Sam Piacenza and Vince Gennaro bounced back to finish second. Piacenza and Gennaro had the only other nine pound limit totaling 9.64 lbs. With a big fish of 2.44 lbs. they finish .25 oz. behind the leaders.

Finishing third was the team of Danny Branscum and Troy Duncan. Branscum and Duncan have moved up steadily from placing seventh in the first tournament, fourth on Saturday to third on Sunday. They weighed a five fish limit totaling 7.40 lbs. with a 2.07 big fish.

Fourth placed belonged to the circuit’s senior team (not in age but length of time on the circuit) Pat Donoho and Bobby Ellis. After a slow start on Saturday with only one fish Donoho and Ellis came in Sunday with a limit totaling 7.10 lbs. with a .20 oz. penalty for a dead fish. Their big fish tipped the scales at 2.09 lbs. and they finished first out of the money.

In fifth place was tournament one’s winner Deejay Evans and Chris Landerman. They also had a tough day Saturday but finished strong  on Sunday with 6.14 lbs and a big fish of 3.03 lbs.

I want to thank all of the teams that braved to cold weather at launch time and enduring the tough bite. You all are true competitors.

I want to thank NITRO Boat, Bass Pro Shops (sponsor of the 1st out of the money prize), Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, Lowrance, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses and Plano.

Thanks to our local sponsors Stoney’s Rockin Country, Blue Ribbon Trophies (sponsors of the big fish trophy), Tom Phillips and Phillips Fish Products, LIA Foundation, Helping Special Causes Charities, Good’s Photographics, Pro Tackle, Ken and Mary Radke for the sixth to tenth place certificates and Team Kurr Professional Bass Fishing (sponsor of the smallest big fish award).

Thanks to Teri, Mike and Morgan Helm, Ron, Danny and Logan Branscum and Troy Duncan without whose help would make it impossible to put on our tournaments.

Next tournament is February 16th at Lake Mead. Sign ups will be at Bass Pro Shops in Las Vegas starting at 5:30 pm and boat draw at 6:30 pm.