1st Place

Results

While the water was on the rise at 6 inches per day, the fishing was not for most. Even though the daytime temperatures were unseasonably warm, the water was still cold well into the afternoon. 10 out of the 15 teams caught fish with no limits being recorded. With wind forecasted for the area and Mother Nature was not going to disappoint the anglers. She created more frustration and fewer bites than anticipated prior to blast off. This lake is known for its big fish in the spring but it just was not to happen.

Chris Kinley and Ben Crites, not to be confused with his father Russell, brought in 4 fish for 12.64lbs that included the Big Bass for the tournament, a 5.53lbs largemouth. Rumor has it that cranks, tubes accounted for their fish, and Francis Canyon was the place to be. Even though they reported catching their first fish early, most came after the water warmed in the PM hours. Second place with 4 fish at 9.48lbs was the team of Barry Stanley and Homer Pirkey. They caught fish on jigs and plastics and the bite was late morning until mid-afternoon in La Jara. The team of Steve Hammond and Dennis Cook came in third with 2 fish for 6.43lbs anchored by a 4.15lb largemouth. No report on baits or location. It gives me great pride to announce the recipient of the first out of the checks Lucky Loser team of Rizuto and Ragsdale. This team last year won angler of the year for the Four Corners and then AOY Southwest Regional champs captured at Clearlake in Oct/03. This team will still have to be reckoned with this year some place.

This year the Angler of the Year race is shaping up to be a shoot out all the way and probably won't be decided until the last event. The team of Stanley and Pirkey have been very consistent with all top 5 finishes so far this season. There are still 3 or 4 teams well within striking distance and the lake venue will change to McPhee after the 5th event. This should be a great race with division bragging rights on the line, not to mention the new AOY Championship format at the championship held again at Clearlake, Cal.

It is not too late to start fishing with the Four Corners division, where there are still three events left. If you wanted to try to qualify for the championship, you could fish two divisions with a total of seven events and qualify through the Choice division. Lake Powell division is just getting started and they have 6 events left which leaves enough to qualify. They are the closest to this area but not the only alternative. Just log on to www.www.usanglerschoice.net for more info and let's all go to Clearlake and fish for 3 boats being given away to the top 3 finishers.

Our sponsors include BassCat boats, Lowrance electronics, Eagle, Motorguide trolling motors, Mercury Outboards, Competitive Edge baits, Solar Bat eyewear, Bass West magazine, Wilson Trophy Co, www.acproshop.com. Our local sponsor is K B Dillon's restaurant who provides the meeting place for us. Do not forget our great sponsors when considering your next purchase, without them, it would be impossible to bring this circuit to you.