Falling Water Prompts Tourney Director's Call for Early Weigh-In

That's the way today's second event of the 2015 season ended for the eight boats and 13 anglers who had entered the competition. Fishing started at the scheduled 7 a.m. but was terminated three hours early by yours truly at 12 noon, after watching the water fall throughout the morning, capped by a 4-inch fall in a 40-minute period.

First-place finishers in the shortened day were these anglers (from left), Allen and Al Napier. They had a five-fish total weight of 7.97 lbs. and a big fish weighing 2.32 lbs.

In second place after weigh-in was this duo of (from left) Paul Celentano and Sid Ryan, who had a bag of five fish weighing 7.43 lbs., with a big fish tipping the scales at 2.50 lbs.

Big-fish honors today went to this man, Ronnie McLaughlin, who weighed one that went 2.63 lbs. His total weight for three fish was 5.80 lbs.

Walking away as winners of the mystery-weight drawing was this team of (from left) Jeremy Gatewood and Mark London. Their total weight for two fish was 4.14 lbs., which was closest to the 2.65-lb. tab that was drawn.





That brings me to a final matter I must address in this forum. I need to recognize a team who, through no fault of their own, never received my call for an early weigh-in. The problem was that their cellphone somehow had gotten shifted to silent mode, which, of course, rendered my repeated dialings and voicemails null and void until it was too late.

I'm talking about this team of  (from left) Mike Miller and Chris Fretard, who finished the day with what would have been a hands-down first-place award for a five-fish limit weighing 13.80 lbs., with a kicker fish that went 6.50 lbs.

My sincere apologies go to these two proven anglers for the unfortunate circumstances that kept them out of the winner's circle today.

As it ultimately worked out, there was enough of a wind shift that occurred shortly after weigh-in to cause the water to start coming back in. As is usually the case, however, that fact only proves, once again, that hindsight is 20-20.

Before closing this entry, let me also recognize the remaining anglers who showed up for this morning's cold start in blustery conditions. Here is how they finished:

     * The team of Bob Glass and Randy Conkle, two fish, big fish 2.60 lbs., total weight 4.82 lbs.
     * Steve Bailey, one fish, but chose not to weigh.
     * Chris Carmell, chose not to weigh.

Overall, a total of 17 bass were weighed today, for a grand total weight of 30.16 lbs., or an average weight of 1.77 lbs.

For planning purposes, our next event is scheduled for next Saturday, April 4, from safe light (about 0630) to 1430. Registration will close at 0600.