Ask and Ye Shall Receive

In my post last night, I asked for a big-fish story, and just like clockwork, I got one. It came from the Stateline Bass Anglers, who launched their 2013 season yesterday with a tournament on the Northwest River out of Bob's Fishing Hole. The 32 anglers in 18 boats faced windy conditions, with 45-degree water that closely resembled chocolate milk.

(From left) Dave Hales and Robert Stamey hold up the 3 fish they weighed in at yesterday's competition. Robert is holding his 6.1-lb. toad.

While the day proved to be an uncomfortable exercise in futility for most anglers, a few managed to find fish. Leading the pack and capturing first place was the team of Robert Stamey and Dave Hales with 3 bass weighing 10.10 lbs. The high spot of their day came when Robert hooked what would prove to be the event's lunker prize--that "big 'un" I had wanted to see. It tipped the scales at 6.1 lbs. This is the second 6-pounder I know of that has been weighed at Bob's in as many weeks.

In 2nd place was the team of Kevin Mills and Rex Shell with 3 fish weighing 6.8 lbs. Third place went to the team of Dale Waggoner and Eddie Confer with a single bass weighing 1.3 lbs.

Not another participant brought a fish to the scales, but as the club president, Mark Ingram, joked, "If this had been a bowfin tournament, there would have been some big sacks brought in."

Mark's day ended on a Good Samaritan note. He had to go and tow a disabled boat back to the dock while the weigh-in was happening.