Results - $500 winners of World Championship Bass on The Fly Fishing Tournament
2nd ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BASS ON THE FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT
2011 RESULTS
Once again weather impacted the World Championship Bass on The Fly fishing Tournament on Lake Fork last Saturday, May 21st. Friday afternoon heavy rain blew across East Texas followed by a sever thunderstorm that evening. This prompted several folks to call and cancel their plans to participate.
However, seven kayakers and 26 boaters found the conditions much better Saturday morning until the wind picked up around 11 am. And the fish were biting .... for some folks.
In the Non-boater (Kayak) division, Randy Calley from Sepulpa, OK photographed three fish for a total length of 46.5" to win $168 for first place. He also had two more fish in the 20-23 inch range which he failed to photograph. Bruce Burton from Okmulgee, OK place second with one 16" fish winning $84.
In the Boater division, Johnny Walker and Cheryl Farrell, from Ft. Worth, had five fish weighing 7lb-6oz for first place, winning $500! Benton and B.C. Fowler (the birthday boy who was 74 years young), from Garland, had five fish that weighed 7lb-2oz for second place, winning $280. Third place went to Dewayne White & Ron Olsen, from Flower Mound, with four fish that weighed 4lb-13oz, paying $156.
The Big Bass in the Boater division was 2lb-10oz caught by Benton Fowler and paid $90. Second place, was Lance Rogers, $40. In the Non-boater division Calley had the big fish and Burton was second. The Big Sun Fish was caught by Diane Blair from Dallas and paid $56. Second place was Cody Bell, $24.
The Sage Largemouth rod for early entries was won by the venerable Richard Blair from Dallas.
The club trophy was won by the Dallas Fly Fishers but the North Louisiana, Ft. Worth, and Oklahoma folks said that won't happen again!
The Casting Distance with a bass bug contest was once again won by Cody Bell who received a TFO 7/8 weight outfit. The Casting Accuracy with a bass bug was a tie between Diane Blair and Benson Fowler which required a cast off. Diane claims she won but donated the TFO 5 weight rod to Benton.
Several teams reported catching 16-24" slot fish including the six pounder pictured below caught by Justin Rackley. Justin's dad, Calvin, bought him a new fly rod and this was his first time to fly fish for bass. Although Justin has caught a lot of big bass on Lake Fork, he said "this was the most exciting way to catch bass I've ever experienced". That's saying something since Justin was on the National Championship Texas A&M college bass fishing team.
Everyone received a goody bag with a Skeeter tee shirt, a Buff, a hat and a bass fly. There were numerous drawing prizes which were donated by Redington rods, Rio lines, Mariner-Sails, TFO reels, Professional Sales RV, Lake Fork Marina, Umpqua flies, Teton reels, Oakley sunglasses, Ranger boats, Sage rods, Tailwaters fly shop, and Brothers flies.
Approximately 10 folks participated in the free fly casting clinics and the anglers received a fishing update from Lake Fork guide James Caldemeyer Friday evening.
It was unanimous that we have the tournament again next year around the same time (check www.bassonthefly.org for updates). Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers, and participants.
Justin Rackley with a nice 6# bass caught on his first day of fly fishing for bass. Photo by Calvin Rackley.
I thought this was interesting ...
From the rules:
"7. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT: All fish must be caught in a legal sporting manner. Trolling with combustion engine as a method of fishing is prohibited. ONLY RODS AND REELS, LINE AND FLIES DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR FLY FISHING MAY BE USED. No soft plastic baits, or any other type of bait, customarily used for fishing with other types of rod and reels may be used. No live or prepared bait is permitted. Liquid fish attractants are allowed. Only one (1) rod may be used at any one time. No other types of rod and reels (spinning, bait casting, spin-cast) are permitted in the boat during this tournament."
So, you can't use bait or plastics, but scents are allowed. I guess that means you can soak a fly in crawfish scent.
