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(RUSSELLVILLE, AR) Wakes from the recent Bassmaster "Elite Top 50" event had barely settled before women from all across the country started launching their sleek bass boats into Russellville, Arkansas's Lake Dardanelle. The Women's Bass Fishing Association began competition Thursday morning at the Dardanelle State Park launch for the two-day, "Beauty & the Bass" national Pro-Am event.
Mother Nature threw contenders a real curve ball when heavy rains and flooding in northern counties caused lock and dam operators along the Arkansas River to open flood gates. The resulting rapid current initiated small craft warnings and turned the once clear lake into a ribbon of chocolate milk. Despite poor water clarity and unsteady lake levels, contenders lured plenty of bass to join them for a ride to weigh in.
Leading the first day's competition in the pro division is Pam Martin Wells of Bainbridge, GA with a five fish limit weighing 14.47 pounds. "The bite was tough," she said. 'I caught a catfish, drum, white bass, six keepers and two shorts but I'm happy with my limit of bass." Well's big bass weighed 4.24 pounds.
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In second place, is Sherrie Brubaker of Warner, OK with 13.75 pounds. "My partner and I both caught a lot of fish" she confided. "I had a great practice when the sun was out but today we had cloudy skies which changed the pattern completely. But I think I made the right changes to stay with the bite. Rounding out the top six pros were Judy Wong of Sugarland, TX (13.65 pounds,) Sheri Glasgow of Muskogee, OK (12.64 pounds,) Cindy Hill of Smyrna, TN (11.71 pounds) and Debra Petrowski of Arlington, TX (10.78 pounds,) which included Thursday's big bass of 4.72 pounds. Arkansas pros in the top 12 were Tammie Muse of North Little Rock in 7th, Joan Craig of London in 10th, Tammy Richardson of Amity in 11th and Katherine Stuart of Conway in 12th. Leading the amateur (non-boater) division is Secret York of Benton, KY (9.04 pounds,) Elizabeth Lee of Conway, AR (6.57 pounds,) Tracy Doty of Corinth, TX (6.35 pounds,) Deanie Tate of Arkadelphia, AR (5.85 pounds,) Brenda Bowen of Garfield, AR (4.88 pounds) and Lisa Craig of Chandler, TX (4.79 pounds.) The final round of competition begins at "safe light" Friday morning at the Dardanelle State Park launch and tournament facility. WBFA announced continued growth of the women's national tour with the addition of two new circuit sponsors: FisherGirl, Inc. (a Canadian based company specializing in women and children's fishing related clothing and equipment) and Alex Langer's Flying Lure. FisherGirl founder Terri MacKinnon and two company executives made the trip from Toronto, Canada to witness a WBFA national tour event. Flying Lure and FisherGirl, Inc. join existing sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Gary Yamamoto Bait Company, Stay 'N charge, DEKA Marine Batteries, Minn Kota Trolling Motors and Eidolon Bait Company WBFA A is the only national tour that offers professional and amateur women alike, a venue to bass fish competitively among their peers. The circuit's Affiliated Club Program is a network of local and regional women's bass clubs that compete closer to home through out the year, with the exception of the annual championship tournament. This year's ACC Championship will be held on Kentucky-Barkley Lakes in June. The national tour's next scheduled Pro-Am event, event is on Lake Neely-Henry in Gadsden and is a double qualifier - as the final qualifier of 2004 and first event of 2005. The event will take place May31-June 4. For more information on the Women's Bass Fishing Association, visit www.wbfatour.com, info@wbfatour.com or phone (800) 343-6566. |
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