While the anglers usually are chafing at the bit to get a tournament underway, that wasn't the case this morning...and for good reason. Streaks of lightning flashed across the sky in the wee hours, causing the 13 anglers in eight boats to be rather subdued as they waited for the start signal. To the last man, they appeared to be more focused on checking the weather apps on their phones as they pulled away from the dock, rather than being in a hurry to get to their first spot.
Despite the somber start to the morning, it's evident the fish didn't necessarily share those feelings. Five of the eight boats weighed five-fish limits and another weighed four (and would have had five if he hadn't confused the number he had in the livewell and culled one too many). The grand totals at the end of the day stood at 30 fish brought to the scales, with a total weight of 84.4 lbs., resulting in an average weight of 2.81 lbs. per fish.
Here are the folks who excelled at the "catching" today:
(From left) The team of Wayne Hayes and Al Napier weighed a limit that tipped the scales at 20.08 lbs., earning them the 1st Place award. Their big fish went 4.73 lbs.
2nd Place went to the team of (from left) Stan Krason and Eddie Sapp, who also weighed a limit. Their total weight was 19.29 lbs., anchored by a big fish weighing 5.50 lbs., which was good enough to lay claim to the day's lunker pot.
(From left) The team of Eric Killian and Jim Crist received the Mystery Weight award, with a limit totaling 6.68 lbs., which was closest to the weight drawn: 3.60 lbs.
Here is how everyone else finished the compeition:
* The team of Rob Peppers and Don Carter, five-fish limit, 17.48 lbs. total weight., 4.19-lb. big fish.
* Rusty Girard, four fish, 10.48 lbs. total weight, 5.07-lb. big fish.
* Jim Wilder, five-fish limit, 9.47 lbs. total weight, no big fish.
* Skip Schaible, one fish, 0.92 lbs. total weight.
* The team of Steve Bailey and Bobby Moore didn't weigh any fish.
Two more anglers completed the requirements to fish our annual, season-ending, two-day Classic, bringing the total thus far to 10. Those newest anglers on the list are Al Napier and Skip Schaible.
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who came out to participate, as well as everyone who helped me today. For planning purposes, our next scheduled event is Saturday, Aug. 11, from safe light to about 2 or 2:30 (final decision on this matter to be announced later).
"If I didn't know I have cancer," said Al Napier this morning, "I'd swear I'm the best I've been in ages. I get up nearly every morning feeling great, eat a big breakfast, and then decide what I'm going to do to stay busy for the day."
That's what he told me this morning during a casual conversation while awaiting the start of the tournament. He said he has felt good ever since he dropped 63 lbs.
Al has had three chemo treatments to this point in time, but says he really hasn't suffered from them, other than not feeling too perky during the hours immediately after a treatment. He also explained that he's now starting to lose his hair, but that doesn't seem to have swayed his mood, either. He's still very positive and upbeat.
"When I wake up each morning, I feel fine and am ready to get another new day started," he noted.
About the only noticeable difference you detect in Al's performance on the water these days is that he sits most of the time, whereas he used to stand a lot. But he certainly doesn't demonstrate any loss in his prowess with a fishing rod. He and partner, Wayne Hayes, continue putting some mighty fine limits in the boat, not the least of which was today's 20.08 lbs., which garnered them another 1st Place finish--their second one in as many tournaments.
No comments:
Post a Comment