UMATILLA, Ore. - A local angler targeted largemouth bass to take the lead on the first day of the BASS Federation Nation Western Divisional bass fishing tournament on the Columbia River.
While most of the field weighed in mixed bags or limits of smallmouth bass, Hermiston, Ore. angler Kevin Gray caught five largemouth bass weighing 17 pounds, 7 ounces to move into first place in the individual standings. Competing in his first Divisional, the 37-year-old Gray stuck with his game plan all day and caught all of his keepers on a buzzbait.
"I caught little ones early and my two biggest fish in the afternoon at about 12:30," said Gray, the owner of two oil-lube franchises and a member of the Blue Mountain Bass Club and the Mid-Columbia Bass Anglers. "We didn't catch a lot of fish today, maybe about 16 or so. I was just running and gunning and fishing a lot of different areas."
Gray missed connections with a hefty largemouth that would have given him a bigger lead. "I had a blow-up on the buzzbait and my partner was throwing a Senko so I told him to throw it over there," recalled Gray. His partner, Ian Hunsaker, Kennewick, Wa., immediately caught a 6-10 largemouth, which was the biggest bass of the first competition day.
Teams from bass clubs in 10 states are competing in this three-day event.
Idaho leads in the team standings with 142 pounds, followed by New Mexico, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Utah, California, Wyoming and Arizona.
The amateur anglers are vying for the chance to advance to the 2007 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship by finishing as the top angler for their state team. Leading in the state standings are Gray for Oregon; John Gardener, Colorado; David Kromm, Washington; Marco Rodriguez, Idaho; Gus Hines, Utah; Mark Lester, Arizona; Dale Hanson, Wyoming; Mark Adams, New Mexico; Ed Peterson, California; and Willie Reed, Montana.
The competitors take off each day at 5:15 a.m. and return at 2:30 p.m. to weigh in their catches at the Umatilla Marina.
2006 Western Divisional 05/17-05/19
Lake Umatilla, Umatilla Ore.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Kevin Gray Hermiston, Ore. (OR) 5 17-07
2. Mark Adams Edgewood, N.M. (NM) 5 16-10
2. John Gardner Durango, Colo. (CO) 5 16-10
4. Sam Walker Aztec, N.M. (NM) 5 15-11
5. David Kromm Kennewick, Wash. (WA) 5 15-07
6. Jeremy Montoya Fort Collins, Colo. ( 5 14-13
7. Marco Rodriguez Nyssa, Ore. (ID) 5 14-12
7. Cody King Island City, Ore. (OR) 5 14-12
9. Gary Yexley Wilsonville, Ore. (OR) 5 14-10
10. Dave Palmer Roseburg, Ore. (WA) 5 14-01
10. Brent Shores Boise, Idaho (ID) 5 14-01
12. Gus Hines Montrose, Colo. (UT) 5 13-15
13. Don Boeger Caldwell, Idaho (ID) 5 13-11
13. Willie Reed Missoula, Mont. (MT) 5 13-11
15. Sean Hinton Morrison, Colo. (CO) 5 13-08
16. Kenny Hansel Los Alamos, N.M. (NM) 5 13-06
17. Curtis Spindler Missoula, Mont. (MT) 5 13-05
18. Don Connole Helena, Mont. (MT) 5 13-04
19. Tim Myers Las Vegas, Nev. (CO) 5 13-03
20. Larry Triplett Aurora, Colo. (CO) 5 13-01
21. Ian Hunsaker Kennewick, Wash. (WA) 5 12-15
21. Greg Pink Montrose, Utah (UT) 5 12-15
23. Curtis MacFee Blft, Idaho (ID) 5 12-14
23. Dusty Womack Caldwell, Idaho (ID) 5 12-14
25. Ed Peterson Auburn, Calif. (CA) 5 12-13
26. Harry Dalton Farmington, N.M. (NM) 5 12-10
27. Matthew Rainey Richland, Wash. (WA) 5 12-09
28. Rick Kraack Medimont, Idaho (ID) 5 12-08
29. Robert Knight Silver City, Utah (UT) 5 12-07
30. Kerry Milligan Silver City, N.M. (NM) 5 12-06
31. Terry Battisti Idaho Falls, Idaho (ID 5 12-03
31. Michael King Pendleton, Ore. (OR) 5 12-03
33. Jay Evans Corvallis, Mont. (MT) 5 12-02
33. Mike Lovelady Vale, Ore. (ID) 5 12-02
33. Jay Salisbury Aztec, N.M. (NM) 5 12-02
36. Roger Mezenen Clinton, Utah (UT) 5 11-15
37. Steve Bell Elephant Butte, N.M. ( 5 11-12
38. George Riedel Colstrip, Mont. (MT) 5 11-11
39. Boyd C Golightly Preston, Idaho (ID) 5 11-09
39. Eric Inman Castleroack, Colo. (UT 5 11-09
41. Donnie Cox Colorado Springs, Colo 5 11-08
42. James Malm Loomis, Calif. (CA) 5 11-05
42. Shane Palmantier Chelan, Wash. (WA) 5 11-05
44. Jeffrey Cole Gallup, N.M. (NM) 5 11-04
44. Dale Hamson North Logan, Utah (WY) 5 11-04
46. Brad Bennett Strasburg, Colo. (CO) 5 11-03
47. Jason Rodriquez Sacramento, Calif. (CA 5 11-02
48. Stan Fisher Trout Creek, Mont. (MT 5 11-01
49. Andrew Sayles Sacramento, Calif. (CA 5 11-00
49. J D Wood Trout Creek, Mont. (MT 5 11-00
51. Casey Welch Arvada, Colo. (CO) 5 10-15
52. Gene Batey Pasco, Wash. (WA) 5 10-11
52. Rob Johnson Murray, Utah (UT) 5 10-11
54. Dalton King Aztec, N.M. (NM) 5 10-10
55. Don Allphin Provo, Utah (UT) 5 10-09
56. John Mace Kennewick, Wash. (WA) 5 10-08
56. Ken Riska Havre, Mont. (MT) 5 10-08
56. Curtis Welch Arvada, Colo. (CO) 5 10-08
59. Greg Hatleberg Springfield, Ore. (OR) 5 10-07
59. Don Edmonds Sacramento, Calif. (CA 5 10-07
61. Adam McAllaster Salem, Ore. (OR) 5 10-06
62. Tom Duarte Bonners Ferry, Idaho ( 5 10-03
62. John Kreiss Rocklin, Calif. (CA) 5 10-03
62. Scott Skinner Evanston, Wyo. (WY) 5 10-03
65. Stephen Sidooway Teton, Idaho (WY) 5 10-01
65. Mitchell Thompson Kemmerer, Wyo. (WY) 5 10-01
65. Rick Quattlebaum Roy, Utah (UT) 5 10-01
68. Tony Lind Kent, Wash. (WA) 5 9-15
68. David McEwen Fresno, Calif. (CA) 5 9-15
70. Cameron Munk Benson, Utah (WY) 5 9-14
71. Bill Brown Grand Junction, Colo. 5 9-13
72. Brian Hanson Sutherlin, Ore. (OR) 5 9-12
73. Jesse Lamb Pasco, Wash. (WA) 5 9-11
74. David Castro Folsom, Calif. (CA) 5 9-10
74. Daniel Hedrick Hillsboro, Ore. (OR) 5 9-10
74. Danny Nelson Bloomfield, N.M. (NM) 5 9-10
77. Tino Durighello Redmond, Ore. (OR) 5 9-04
77. Charles Perkins Lincoln, Calif. (CA) 5 9-04
79. Thomas Siddoway Teton, Idaho (WY) 5 9-02
80. Rick Beko Canby, Ore. (OR) 5 9-00
81. Robert Sterling Olympia, Wash. (WA) 5 8-11
82. Sean Stansberry Montrose, Colo. (UT) 5 8-04
83. Don Simper Baycity, Ore. (OR) 5 8-02
84. Shaun Gill Clovis, N.M. (NM) 5 7-14
85. Scott Lochow Othello, Wash. (WA) 5 7-13
86. Kenneth Hicks Roseville, Calif. (CA) 5 7-11
86. Monte Tish Nampa, Idaho (ID) 5 7-11
88. Audie Palmantier Chelan, Wash. (WA) 5 7-09
89. Chris Kinley Durango, Colo. (CO) 5 7-08
89. Josh Unruh Pocatello, Idaho (ID) 5 7-08
91. Tom Erickson W Sacramento, Calif. ( 5 7-07
92. Bryan Leck Canon City, Colo. (CO) 5 7-00
93. Chris Rockhold Darby, Mont. (MT) 5 6-13
94. Leroy Hagy Loomis, Calif. (CA) 5 6-11
94. Rick Smith East Helena, Mont. (MT 5 6-11
96. Leonard Nichols Kemmerer, Wyo. (WY) 4 6-08
97. Mark Lester Glendale, Ariz. (AZ) 5 6-07
97. Homer Pirkey Albuquerque, N.M. (NM) 5 6-07
99. Jeff Colwell Windsor, Calif. (CO) 5 6-06
100.Marshall Ridenour Alberton, Mont. (MT) 5 6-05
101.Kevin Hill Cornallis, Mont. (MT) 5 5-14
102.Bob Severe Evanston, Wyo. (WY) 4 5-11
103.Jack Robinson Grand Junction, Colo. 4 5-02
104.Michael Wilkerson Evanston, Wyo. (WY) 4 4-15
104.Bob Wright Kemmerer, Wyo. (WY) 3 4-15
106.Brent Daybell West Jordan, Utah (UT) 5 4-14
107.Lynn Swaney Crois, Colo. (WY) 4 4-13
108.Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, Ore. (O 4 4-08
109.Ken Larrabee Phoenix, Ariz. (AZ) 2 1-14
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 101 534 1137-09
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101 534 1137-09
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 IDAHO 142-00
2 NEW MEXICO 140-06
3 COLORADO 136-03
4 WASHINGTON 131-03
5 OREGON 130-01
6 MONTANA 122-05
7 UTAH 122-03
8 CALIFORNIA 117-08
9 WYOMING 87-07
10 ARIZONA 8-05
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
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IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Marco Rodriguez Nyssa, Ore. 5 14-12
2 Brent Shores Boise, Idaho 5 14-01
3 Don Boeger Caldwell, Idaho 5 13-11
4 Curtis MacFee Blft, Idaho 5 12-14
4 Dusty Womack Caldwell, Idaho 5 12-14
6 Rick Kraack Medimont, Idaho 5 12-08
7 Terry Battisti Idaho Falls, Idaho 5 12-03
8 Mike Lovelady Vale, Ore. 5 12-02
9 Boyd C Golightly Preston, Idaho 5 11-09
10 Tom Duarte Bonners Ferry, Idaho 5 10-03
11 Monte Tish Nampa, Idaho 5 7-11
12 Josh Unruh Pocatello, Idaho 5 7-08
NEW MEXICO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Adams Edgewood, N.M. 5 16-10
2 Sam Walker Aztec, N.M. 5 15-11
3 Kenny Hansel Los Alamos, N.M. 5 13-06
4 Harry Dalton Farmington, N.M. 5 12-10
5 Kerry Milligan Silver City, N.M. 5 12-06
6 Jay Salisbury Aztec, N.M. 5 12-02
7 Steve Bell Elephant Butte, N.M. 5 11-12
8 Jeffrey Cole Gallup, N.M. 5 11-04
9 Dalton King Aztec, N.M. 5 10-10
10 Danny Nelson Bloomfield, N.M. 5 9-10
11 Shaun Gill Clovis, N.M. 5 7-14
12 Homer Pirkey Albuquerque, N.M. 5 6-07
COLORADO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Gardner Durango, Colo. 5 16-10
2 Jeremy Montoya Fort Collins, Colo. 5 14-13
3 Sean Hinton Morrison, Colo. 5 13-08
4 Tim Myers Las Vegas, Nev. 5 13-03
5 Larry Triplett Aurora, Colo. 5 13-01
6 Donnie Cox Colorado Springs, Colo. 5 11-08
7 Brad Bennett Strasburg, Colo. 5 11-03
8 Casey Welch Arvada, Colo. 5 10-15
9 Curtis Welch Arvada, Colo. 5 10-08
10 Chris Kinley Durango, Colo. 5 7-08
11 Bryan Leck Canon City, Colo. 5 7-00
12 Jeff Colwell Windsor, Calif. 5 6-06
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Kromm Kennewick, Wash. 5 15-07
2 Dave Palmer Roseburg, Ore. 5 14-01
3 Ian Hunsaker Kennewick, Wash. 5 12-15
4 Matthew Rainey Richland, Wash. 5 12-09
5 Shane Palmantier Chelan, Wash. 5 11-05
6 Gene Batey Pasco, Wash. 5 10-11
7 John Mace Kennewick, Wash. 5 10-08
8 Tony Lind Kent, Wash. 5 9-15
9 Jesse Lamb Pasco, Wash. 5 9-11
10 Robert Sterling Olympia, Wash. 5 8-11
11 Scott Lochow Othello, Wash. 5 7-13
12 Audie Palmantier Chelan, Wash. 5 7-09
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kevin Gray Hermiston, Ore. 5 17-07
2 Cody King Island City, Ore. 5 14-12
3 Gary Yexley Wilsonville, Ore. 5 14-10
4 Michael King Pendleton, Ore. 5 12-03
5 Greg Hatleberg Springfield, Ore. 5 10-07
6 Adam McAllaster Salem, Ore. 5 10-06
7 Brian Hanson Sutherlin, Ore. 5 9-12
8 Daniel Hedrick Hillsboro, Ore. 5 9-10
9 Tino Durighello Redmond, Ore. 5 9-04
10 Rick Beko Canby, Ore. 5 9-00
11 Don Simper Baycity, Ore. 5 8-02
12 Jerry Lake Cottage Grove, Ore. 4 4-08
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Willie Reed Missoula, Mont. 5 13-11
2 Curtis Spindler Missoula, Mont. 5 13-05
3 Don Connole Helena, Mont. 5 13-04
4 Jay Evans Corvallis, Mont. 5 12-02
5 George Riedel Colstrip, Mont. 5 11-11
6 Stan Fisher Trout Creek, Mont. 5 11-01
7 J D Wood Trout Creek, Mont. 5 11-00
8 Ken Riska Havre, Mont. 5 10-08
9 Chris Rockhold Darby, Mont. 5 6-13
10 Rick Smith East Helena, Mont. 5 6-11
11 Marshall Ridenour Alberton, Mont. 5 6-05
12 Kevin Hill Cornallis, Mont. 5 5-14
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Gus Hines Montrose, Colo. 5 13-15
2 Greg Pink Montrose, Utah 5 12-15
3 Robert Knight Silver City, Utah 5 12-07
4 Roger Mezenen Clinton, Utah 5 11-15
5 Eric Inman Castleroack, Colo. 5 11-09
6 Rob Johnson Murray, Utah 5 10-11
7 Don Allphin Provo, Utah 5 10-09
8 Rick Quattlebaum Roy, Utah 5 10-01
9 Bill Brown Grand Junction, Colo. 5 9-13
10 Sean Stansberry Montrose, Colo. 5 8-04
11 Jack Robinson Grand Junction, Colo. 4 5-02
12 Brent Daybell West Jordan, Utah 5 4-14
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Ed Peterson Auburn, Calif. 5 12-13
2 James Malm Loomis, Calif. 5 11-05
3 Jason Rodriquez Sacramento, Calif. 5 11-02
4 Andrew Sayles Sacramento, Calif. 5 11-00
5 Don Edmonds Sacramento, Calif. 5 10-07
6 John Kreiss Rocklin, Calif. 5 10-03
7 David McEwen Fresno, Calif. 5 9-15
8 David Castro Folsom, Calif. 5 9-10
9 Charles Perkins Lincoln, Calif. 5 9-04
10 Kenneth Hicks Roseville, Calif. 5 7-11
11 Tom Erickson W Sacramento, Calif. 5 7-07
12 Leroy Hagy Loomis, Calif. 5 6-11
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dale Hamson North Logan, Utah 5 11-04
2 Scott Skinner Evanston, Wyo. 5 10-03
3 Stephen Sidooway Teton, Idaho 5 10-01
3 Mitchell Thompson Kemmerer, Wyo. 5 10-01
5 Cameron Munk Benson, Utah 5 9-14
6 Thomas Siddoway Teton, Idaho 5 9-02
7 Leonard Nichols Kemmerer, Wyo. 4 6-08
8 Bob Severe Evanston, Wyo. 4 5-11
9 Michael Wilkerson Evanston, Wyo. 4 4-15
9 Bob Wright Kemmerer, Wyo. 3 4-15
11 Lynn Swaney Crois, Colo. 4 4-13
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Lester Glendale, Ariz. 5 6-07
2 Ken Larrabee Phoenix, Ariz. 2 1-14