HARTFORD, Conn.- His string of limits ended today, but Abe Kalechman caught just enough smallmouth bass to win the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Eastern Divisional bass fishing tournament on the Connecticut River.
The 38-year-old floor-covering consultant from Stafford, Conn., was the only angler to weigh in a limit the first two days of the tournament, and Friday caught only four fish weighing 4 pounds, 15 ounces. His three-day total of 22-5 earned the Tobacco Valley Bass Anglers club member the Eastern Divisional crown.
All three days, Kalechman headed north of Hartford and targeted smallmouth bass along bridge abutments and eelgrass beds. "It seemed like the big fish wanted to bite today," he said. "Unfortunately I didn't get them but my non-boater got three nice fish. I lost two good fish that would have helped me." He caught all of his fish each day on a cinnamon brown Five Alive Rockraw that he attached to a 1/4-ounce jighead.
By winning this event, Kalechman and seven other state leaders advance to the 2008 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship, the amateur bass anglers' world championship. Joining the tournament champion at the Federation Nation Championship will be the following state and provincial winners: Dale Simmons (Maine), Sheron Brown (Massachusetts), Gary Clawson (New Hampshire), Chris Loftus (New York), Frank Ramsay (Ontario), Mike Wolfenden (Rhode Island) and Carl Alexander (Vermont).
Connecticut's 12-man team captured the top prize of a Triton Boats 186 bass boat rigged with a Mercury 150 h.p. outboard motor (total value of $32,000). The home state accumulated a total combined weight of 126 pounds, 12 ounces, while New York took the runner-up spot with 108-6. "I don't know of any team that had so many problems all week long," said Paul Carter of the Connecticut team. "We blew three motors, had two motors break down and burned up a trolling motor, but through all of the adversity, these guys came through."
In addition to topping the Maine squad, Simmons also won the $1,000 Purolator Big Bass of the Tournament Award by catching a 4-pound, 4-ounce smallmouth today. The bass bit a green pumpkin 3/8-ounce Li'l Hustler jig tipped with a Li'l Hustler craw along a bridge abutment about 1 foot deep.
The Eastern Divisional is the fifth of six regional qualifiers for the Federation Championship. The final qualifier, the Mid-Atlantic Divisional, will be contested next week at Pittsburgh, Pa.
2007 EASTERN DIVISIONAL 09/19-09/21 Connecticut River, Hartford Conn.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Abe Kalechman Stafford, Conn. (CT) 14 22-05
2. Christopher Loftus Bloomfield, N.Y. (NY) 12 20-10
3. Al Gambardella North Haven, Conn. (CT 9 20-04
4. Brad Brodnicki Buffalo, N.Y. (NY) 11 19-10
5. David Dziob Meriden, Conn. (CT) 10 16-15
6. Sheron Brown Shirley, Mass. (MA) 12 16-10
7. Dale Simmons N Waterboro, Maine (ME 7 15-12 $1,000.00
8. Mike Wolfenden Warwick, R.I. (RI) 10 15-03
9. Gary Clauson Portsmouth, N.H. (NH) 8 14-05
10. Frank Ramsay Hammond, Canada (ON) 8 13-05
11. Carl Alexander Clarendon, Vt. (VT) 9 13-03
12. Timothy Carignan Tyngsboro, N.H. (NH) 7 12-15
13. Raymond Lentine Oxford, Mass. (MA) 7 12-04
14. Scott Janus Wallingford, Conn. (CT 9 11-13
15. John Fortier Sanbornton, N.H. (NH) 6 11-00
16. Lewis Mendall Wrentnam, Mass. (RI) 6 10-13
17. Kevin Lavender Amston, Conn. (CT) 6 10-10
18. Joe Catalano Nashua, N.H. (NH) 7 10-08
18. Jim Lynch Bomoseen, Vt. (VT) 6 10-08
20. Robert Pepe Kensington, Conn. (CT) 5 10-06
21. John Rafuse Antrim, N.H. (NH) 7 10-04
22. John Siejak Lancaster, N.Y. (NY) 5 10-02
23. Todd Rana Bradford, R.I. (RI) 6 9-14
24. Lee Rogers Swartswood, N.J. (NY) 6 9-12
24. Glen Bruce Saco, Maine (ME) 6 9-12
26. Greg Roth Oshawa, Canada (ON) 7 9-09
27. John Farrand Lewiston, Maine (ME) 8 9-01
27. Roger Laflamme East Waterboro, Maine 7 9-01
27. Michael Donovan Bridgewater, Mass. (RI 6 9-01
30. Marc Lamphier Burlington, Vt. (VT) 6 8-15
31. Sean Alvarez Rutland, Vt. (VT) 7 8-14
32. David S Mathieu Vernon, Conn. (CT) 5 8-11
33. Mark Miller Petawawa, Canada (ON) 5 8-10
34. David LeBlanc Springfield, N.H. (NH) 6 8-09
35. Steven Conde Chepachet, R.I. (RI) 5 8-06
36. Kerry Rice Addison, N.Y. (NY) 4 8-04
37. James Jeffries Rouses Point, N.Y. (VT 6 7-15
37. Eric Johnson Kingston, Mass. (MA) 5 7-15
37. Noel Good Pavilion, N.Y. (NY) 3 7-15
40. James Moore Gouverneur, N.Y. (NY) 5 7-13
41. Joe Mahood Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. 3 7-07
42. Jeff Brousseau Attleboro, Mass. (RI) 4 7-03
43. Adam Poplaski Cheshire, Mass. (MA) 4 6-12
44. Skip Sjobeck Randolph Ctr, Vt. (VT) 4 6-09
45. Jose Soler Newington, Conn. (CT) 9 6-08
45. Bruce Leeson Jerseyville, Canada (O 6 6-08
47. Reed Johnson Farmington, Conn. (CT) 5 6-05
47. Jason Barnvzc Lindsey, Canada (ON) 4 6-05
47. Mitchell Mank Nobleboro, Maine (ME) 3 6-05
50. Michael Holt Townsend, Mass. (MA) 3 6-03
51. Thomas Luciano Pottersville, N.Y. (NY 3 6-01
52. Matthew Breach Douglas, Mass. (MA) 4 5-12
53. Lawrence Hogue Kennebunk, Maine (ME) 3 5-09
54. Tim Kwolek Castleton, Vt. (VT) 4 5-08
55. Patrick Miura Watertown, N.Y. (NY) 3 5-05
55. Roger Bogosh Attieboro, Mass. (MA) 3 5-05
57. Mark Cavanaugh Port Perry, Canada (ON 3 5-02
58. Joel St. Germain Cumberland, R.I. (RI) 3 5-01
59. Armand Swajian Maynard, Mass. (MA) 4 5-00
60. Peter Forbes Saco, Maine (ME) 2 4-14
61. Peter Diaco Scarborough, Maine (ME 3 4-13
62. Chris Barrett Vaughan, Canada (ON) 2 4-10
63. Thomas Waltz St Albans, Vt. (VT) 3 4-08
64. Clint Delashaw Hallowell, Maine (ME) 3 4-07
65. Louie Bernardo Taunton, Mass. (RI) 2 4-04
66. Frank Giner Danbury, Conn. (NY) 4 4-03
66. George Potter Warwick, R.I. (RI) 2 4-03
66. James Moorey Whitinsville, Mass. (M 2 4-03
69. David Mittelstadt Wilton, Maine (ME) 4 4-01
69. Peter Demoya Plymouth, Mass. (MA) 3 4-01
71. Jim Wolford Plaistow, N.H. (NH) 4 3-15
71. Mike Mapes Sparta, N.J. (NY) 2 3-15
73. Stephen Goulette St Albans, Vt. (VT) 2 3-09
74. Jay Menard South Burlington, Vt. 1 3-06
75. Rob Messenger Sunapee, N.H. (NH) 3 3-03
76. Corey DiLorenzo Glen Falls, N.Y. (NY) 2 3-00
77. Joseph Raulukaitis Colchester, Conn. (CT) 2 2-09
78. Roy Costa Cranson, R.I. (RI) 1 2-07
79. Robert Kelley Rutland, Mass. (MA) 2 2-04
80. Bryan Folino Cheshire, Mass. (MA) 2 2-03
80. Rose Jeffries Rouses Point, N.Y. (VT 2 2-03
80. Ronald Larivee Chepachet, R.I. (RI) 1 2-03
83. Michael Bednarski Darien, Conn. (CT) 2 2-01
84. Mike Graham Bowmanville, Canada (O 1 2-00
85. Stewart Taylor Barrie, Canada (ON) 1 1-15
86. Dwayne Turnage Hollis, Maine (ME) 3 1-14
86. David Davis Frankford, Canada (ON) 1 1-14
88. Chuck Gray Wallingford, Conn. (ME 1 1-13
89. John Badman Syracuse, N.Y. (NY) 1 1-12
90. Alan Cushing Gilford, N.H. (NH) 1 1-07
91. Doug Hume Henniker, N.H. (NH) 1 1-05
92. Dale Brown Alburg, Vt. (VT) 1 1-02
93. David Maiorano Clinton, Conn. (CT) 1 0-14
94. Michael Asciola Warren, R.I. (RI) 0 0-00
94. John Beardsall Wyebridge, Canada (ON) 0 0-00
94. Bill Church Amherst, N.H. (NH) 0 0-00
94. Tim Reardon Amherst, N.H. (NH) 0 0-00
94. George Saliba Lakefield, Canada (ON) 0 0-00
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Dale Simmons N Waterboro, Maine (ME) 4-04 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 3 108 171-01
2 6 165 252-11
3 7 154 259-07
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16 427 683-03
TEAM STANDINGS Day 3
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State Lbs-Oz
1 CONNECTICUT 126-12
2 NEW YORK 108-06
3 RHODE ISLAND 78-10
4 MASSACHUSETTS 78-08
5 NEW HAMPSHIRE 77-07
6 MAINE 77-06
7 VERMONT 76-04
8 ONTARIO 59-14
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 3
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CONNECTICUT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Abe Kalechman Stafford, Conn. 14 22-05
2 Al Gambardella North Haven, Conn. 9 20-04
3 David Dziob Meriden, Conn. 10 16-15
4 Scott Janus Wallingford, Conn. 9 11-13
5 Kevin Lavender Amston, Conn. 6 10-10
6 Robert Pepe Kensington, Conn. 5 10-06
7 David S Mathieu Vernon, Conn. 5 8-11
8 Joe Mahood Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. 3 7-07
9 Jose Soler Newington, Conn. 9 6-08
10 Reed Johnson Farmington, Conn. 5 6-05
11 Joseph Raulukaitis Colchester, Conn. 2 2-09
12 Michael Bednarski Darien, Conn. 2 2-01
13 David Maiorano Clinton, Conn. 1 0-14
NEW YORK
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Christopher Loftus Bloomfield, N.Y. 12 20-10
2 Brad Brodnicki Buffalo, N.Y. 11 19-10
3 John Siejak Lancaster, N.Y. 5 10-02
4 Lee Rogers Swartswood, N.J. 6 9-12
5 Kerry Rice Addison, N.Y. 4 8-04
6 Noel Good Pavilion, N.Y. 3 7-15
7 James Moore Gouverneur, N.Y. 5 7-13
8 Thomas Luciano Pottersville, N.Y. 3 6-01
9 Patrick Miura Watertown, N.Y. 3 5-05
10 Frank Giner Danbury, Conn. 4 4-03
11 Mike Mapes Sparta, N.J. 2 3-15
12 Corey DiLorenzo Glen Falls, N.Y. 2 3-00
13 John Badman Syracuse, N.Y. 1 1-12
RHODE ISLAND
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Wolfenden Warwick, R.I. 10 15-03
2 Lewis Mendall Wrentnam, Mass. 6 10-13
3 Todd Rana Bradford, R.I. 6 9-14
4 Michael Donovan Bridgewater, Mass. 6 9-01
5 Steven Conde Chepachet, R.I. 5 8-06
6 Jeff Brousseau Attleboro, Mass. 4 7-03
7 Joel St. Germain Cumberland, R.I. 3 5-01
8 Louie Bernardo Taunton, Mass. 2 4-04
9 George Potter Warwick, R.I. 2 4-03
10 Roy Costa Cranson, R.I. 1 2-07
11 Ronald Larivee Chepachet, R.I. 1 2-03
12 Michael Asciola Warren, R.I. 0 0-00
MASSACHUSETTS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Sheron Brown Shirley, Mass. 12 16-10
2 Raymond Lentine Oxford, Mass. 7 12-04
3 Eric Johnson Kingston, Mass. 5 7-15
4 Adam Poplaski Cheshire, Mass. 4 6-12
5 Michael Holt Townsend, Mass. 3 6-03
6 Matthew Breach Douglas, Mass. 4 5-12
7 Roger Bogosh Attieboro, Mass. 3 5-05
8 Armand Swajian Maynard, Mass. 4 5-00
9 James Moorey Whitinsville, Mass. 2 4-03
10 Peter Demoya Plymouth, Mass. 3 4-01
11 Robert Kelley Rutland, Mass. 2 2-04
12 Bryan Folino Cheshire, Mass. 2 2-03
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Gary Clauson Portsmouth, N.H. 8 14-05
2 Timothy Carignan Tyngsboro, N.H. 7 12-15
3 John Fortier Sanbornton, N.H. 6 11-00
4 Joe Catalano Nashua, N.H. 7 10-08
5 John Rafuse Antrim, N.H. 7 10-04
6 David LeBlanc Springfield, N.H. 6 8-09
7 Jim Wolford Plaistow, N.H. 4 3-15
8 Rob Messenger Sunapee, N.H. 3 3-03
9 Alan Cushing Gilford, N.H. 1 1-07
10 Doug Hume Henniker, N.H. 1 1-05
11 Bill Church Amherst, N.H. 0 0-00
11 Tim Reardon Amherst, N.H. 0 0-00
MAINE
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dale Simmons N Waterboro, Maine 7 15-12 $1,000.00
2 Glen Bruce Saco, Maine 6 9-12
3 John Farrand Lewiston, Maine 8 9-01
3 Roger Laflamme East Waterboro, Maine 7 9-01
5 Mitchell Mank Nobleboro, Maine 3 6-05
6 Lawrence Hogue Kennebunk, Maine 3 5-09
7 Peter Forbes Saco, Maine 2 4-14
8 Peter Diaco Scarborough, Maine 3 4-13
9 Clint Delashaw Hallowell, Maine 3 4-07
10 David Mittelstadt Wilton, Maine 4 4-01
11 Dwayne Turnage Hollis, Maine 3 1-14
12 Chuck Gray Wallingford, Conn. 1 1-13
VERMONT
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Carl Alexander Clarendon, Vt. 9 13-03
2 Jim Lynch Bomoseen, Vt. 6 10-08
3 Marc Lamphier Burlington, Vt. 6 8-15
4 Sean Alvarez Rutland, Vt. 7 8-14
5 James Jeffries Rouses Point, N.Y. 6 7-15
6 Skip Sjobeck Randolph Ctr, Vt. 4 6-09
7 Tim Kwolek Castleton, Vt. 4 5-08
8 Thomas Waltz St Albans, Vt. 3 4-08
9 Stephen Goulette St Albans, Vt. 2 3-09
10 Jay Menard South Burlington, Vt. 1 3-06
11 Rose Jeffries Rouses Point, N.Y. 2 2-03
12 Dale Brown Alburg, Vt. 1 1-02
ONTARIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Frank Ramsay Hammond, Canada 8 13-05
2 Greg Roth Oshawa, Canada 7 9-09
3 Mark Miller Petawawa, Canada 5 8-10
4 Bruce Leeson Jerseyville, Canada 6 6-08
5 Jason Barnvzc Lindsey, Canada 4 6-05
6 Mark Cavanaugh Port Perry, Canada 3 5-02
7 Chris Barrett Vaughan, Canada 2 4-10
8 Mike Graham Bowmanville, Canada 1 2-00
9 Stewart Taylor Barrie, Canada 1 1-15
10 David Davis Frankford, Canada 1 1-14
11 John Beardsall Wyebridge, Canada 0 0-00
11 George Saliba Lakefield, Canada 0 0-00