ALEXANDRIA, Minn. - A dock pattern paid off handsomely for Minnesota angler Jim Severson and his partner today in the first round of the BASS Federation Nation Northern Divisional bass fishing tournament at the Le Homme Dieu Chain of Lakes here.
Severson, 39, a full-time angler from Breezy Point, Minn., relied on docks to catch five largemouth bass weighing 17 pounds, 4 ounces, and take the lead in the individual standings of the Northern Divisional. The Central Minnesota Bassmaster club member is competing in his seventh divisional.
Meanwhile, Quincy, Ill., angler David Junk moved into second place with a 13-6 limit, which included the big bass of the day, a 6-pound, 2-ounce largemouth.
Both Severson and his partner, Jeff Brown of Brandon, S.D., discovered the dock pattern in practice.
"We just had some big fish spots on docks," said Severson. "There were some good ones under there, and we caught them right away and then worked on them the rest of the afternoon."
Three small sets of docks produced best for Severson and Brown, who found the fish were holding under the docks about 2 feet deep.
Severson finished the day with about 10 keepers, while Brown amassed a 12-15 limit to move into third place overall.
"I went to his docks and caught big fish and then he went to some of my docks and caught big fish," said Severson. "So we kind of switched off back and forth."
The Northern Divisional is the fourth of six regional qualifying events that advance top Federation Nation competitors from America and abroad to the only international world fish-off for amateur anglers, the BASS Federation Nation National Championship. The event is scheduled for January 2007 at Lake Neely Henry in Alabama. The tournament features both an individual and team competition.
Leading their states after today's competition are Severson (Minnesota), Junk (Illinois), Brown (South Dakota), Mike Toht (Ohio), Dallas Lasche (Wisconsin), Bob Allen (Indiana), Brian Searcy (Iowa) and John Gipson (Michigan).
In the team competition, eight Federation Nations are vying for a total payout of $65,000, with the prize monies to be used for each states' conservation, civic and fishing outreach programs.
Minnesota leads with a cumulative weight of 115 pounds, 8 ounces.
The Northern Divisional weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. CT the next two days at the Bug-A-Boo Bay Restaurant.
2006 Northern Divisional 09/13-09/15
Le Homme Dieu Chain, Minn.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1. Jim Severson Breezy Point, Minn. (M 5 17-04
2. David Junk Quincy, Ill. (IL) 5 13-06
3. Jeff Brown Brandon, S.D. (SD) 5 12-15
4. Trevor Rogge Champlin, Minn. (MN) 5 11-11
4. Dave Thompson Washington, Ill. (IL) 5 11-11
6. Chris Denn Avon, Minn. (MN) 5 11-09
7. Dallas Lasche Columbus, Wisc. (WI) 5 11-08
8. John Gipson Niles, Mich. (MI) 5 11-05
9. Ernie Walters New Richmond, Wisc. (W 5 11-00
10. Bob Allen South Bend, Ind. (IN) 5 10-14
11. Brian Searcy Muscatine, Iowa (IA) 5 10-12
12. Wayne Kluender Ramsey, Minn. (MN) 5 10-04
13. Richard Lindgren Lakeville, Minn. (MN) 5 10-03
13. Morris Wheeler Indianapolis, Ind. (IN 5 10-03
15. Rodney Johnson Franklin, Ind. (IN) 5 10-00
16. Terry McWilliams Greenfield, Ind. (IN) 5 9-11
17. Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, Mich. 5 9-10
17. Mike Toht Bellbrook, Ohio (OH) 5 9-10
19. Ben Potaracke Lacrosse, Wisc. (WI) 5 9-09
20. Cory Goehring Catlewood, S.D. (SD) 5 9-06
20. Jeffery Harris Grand Blanc, Mich. (MI 5 9-06
20. Darrin Kirkland Moravia, Iowa (IA) 5 9-06
20. Dan Posey Berrien Springs, Mich. 5 9-06
20. Steven Strope Orchard, Neb. (SD) 5 9-06
25. Rick Lindus New Richmond, Wisc. ( 5 9-03
25. Dennis Lothspeich Brainerd, Minn. (MN) 5 9-03
27. Michael Holub Watertown, Minn. (MN) 5 9-02
27. Mike Mattis Hudson, Wisc. (WI) 5 9-02
29. Joe Donnan St Paris, Ohio (OH) 5 9-01
29. Gregg Fouty Isanti, Minn. (MN) 5 9-01
29. Matt McCoy Indianapolis, Ind. (IN 5 9-01
29. Dan Parker Coultenberg, Iowa (IA) 5 9-01
29. Michael Ruddick Seymour, Ind. (IN) 5 9-01
34. Mel Hedrick Naperville, Ill. (IL) 5 8-15
34. Robert F Werner Lewisburg, Ohio (OH) 5 8-15
36. Dean Geuder Cedar Rapids, Iowa (IA 5 8-14
36. Doug Rudasill Delphos, Ohio (OH) 5 8-14
38. G W Ekroth Dallas, S.D. (SD) 5 8-11
38. Mickey Thomas Edwardsburg, Mich. (IN 5 8-11
40. Rick Michael Princeton, Ill. (IL) 5 8-09
40. Butch Shearer Piqua, Ohio (OH) 5 8-09
42. Steven Houdek Calmar, Iowa (IA) 5 8-07
43. Glenn Tycz Tyndall, S.D. (SD) 5 8-06
44. Tim Olson Alexandra, Minn. (SD) 5 8-04
45. Andrew Maier Midland, Mich. (MI) 5 8-02
46. Randy French Okeana, Ohio (IN) 5 8-01
47. Pete Cherkas Des Moines, Iowa (IA) 5 7-15
47. Scott Lakey Augusta, Mich. (MI) 5 7-15
49. Emmet Smith Brainerd, Minn. (MN) 5 7-14
49. Derrek Zdeb Clawson, Mich. (MI) 5 7-14
51. Bryan McNeal Enon, Ohio (OH) 5 7-13
52. Joel Staudter Russells Point, Ohio ( 5 7-11
53. Mark Buchmann Martin, S.D. (SD) 5 7-08
53. Edward Schiller Wixom, Mich. (MI) 5 7-08
55. Brian Beger Shelby Twp, Mich. (MI) 5 7-07
55. Joe Kippes Mitchell, S.D. (SD) 5 7-07
55. Stan Miller Bruce, Wisc. (WI) 5 7-07
58. Scott Anderson Prior Lake, Minn. (MN) 5 7-05
58. Randy Burch Ladysmith, Wisc. (WI) 5 7-05
60. Monty Fralick Martin, S.D. (SD) 5 7-03
61. Joe Powell Shelburn, Ind. (IN) 5 7-00
61. Martin Swanson Atkinson, Ill. (IL) 5 7-00
63. Miles Coffin Des Moines, Iowa (IA) 5 6-15
63. Thomas Logue Tyndall, S.D. (SD) 5 6-15
63. Darren Lee Sundleaf Yankton, S.D. (SD) 5 6-15
66. Chad Starrett Shirley, Ind. (IN) 5 6-13
67. Jim Burrington Lacrosse, Wisc. (WI) 5 6-12
67. Ron Cherkas Des Moines, Iowa (IA) 5 6-12
67. Larry Gargus Lapeer, Mich. (MI) 5 6-12
70. Randy Eddy Holmen, Wisc. (WI) 5 6-11
71. Dean Cain Monrovia, Ind. (IN) 5 6-10
72. James Klemp Gattenburg, Iowa (IA) 5 6-09
73. Gary Schild Mundelein, Ill. (WI) 5 6-08
73. Mark Smith Wauconda, Ill. (WI) 5 6-08
75. Jerry Doucette Waterford, Mich. (MI) 5 6-07
75. Ron Nichols Howard, Ohio (OH) 5 6-07
75. Tom Ondras Oak Forest, Ill. (IL) 5 6-07
78. Rick Billings Rochester, Minn. (MN) 5 6-06
79. Andy Sommerfelt Denver, Iowa (IA) 5 6-02
79. Fred Tietz Croton, Ohio (OH) 5 6-02
81. Danny Pierce Salem, Ill. (IL) 5 6-00
82. A J Messen Bloomington, Ill. (IL) 5 5-15
82. Larry Trame Conover, Ohio (OH) 4 5-15
84. Harlan Folkers Mission, S.D. (SD) 5 5-14
84. Michael Mueller Cedar Rapids, Iowa (IA 5 5-14
86. Curtis Compton Nisswa, Minn. (MN) 3 5-10
87. Tony Zain Roseville, Mich. (MI) 5 5-09
88. Chad Buckman Buda, Ill. (IL) 5 5-07
89. Todd Neu Harrod, Ohio (OH) 4 5-06
90. Shawn Kellough Chillicothe, Ohio (OH) 5 5-03
91. Jeff Roman Atkinson, Ill. (IL) 4 5-02
92. Steve Huegerich Coon Rapids, Iowa (IA) 4 4-11
92. Scott Zagrodnik Brooklyn, Wisc. (WI) 4 4-11
94. Steve Banner Lagrange, Mo. (IL) 4 4-01
95. Jim Risinger Salem, Ill. (IL) 3 3-07
96. Harvey Page Bowling Green, Ky. (IN 1 1-13
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 87 466 772-13
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87 466 772-13
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 MINNESOTA 115-08
2 SOUTH DAKOTA 98-14
3 INDIANA 97-14
4 MICHIGAN 97-05
5 WISCONSIN 96-04
6 IOWA 91-06
7 OHIO 89-10
8 ILLINOIS 86-00
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------MINNESOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jim Severson Breezy Point, Minn. 5 17-04
2 Trevor Rogge Champlin, Minn. 5 11-11
3 Chris Denn Avon, Minn. 5 11-09
4 Wayne Kluender Ramsey, Minn. 5 10-04
5 Richard Lindgren Lakeville, Minn. 5 10-03
6 Dennis Lothspeich Brainerd, Minn. 5 9-03
7 Michael Holub Watertown, Minn. 5 9-02
8 Gregg Fouty Isanti, Minn. 5 9-01
9 Emmet Smith Brainerd, Minn. 5 7-14
10 Scott Anderson Prior Lake, Minn. 5 7-05
11 Rick Billings Rochester, Minn. 5 6-06
12 Curtis Compton Nisswa, Minn. 3 5-10SOUTH DAKOTA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jeff Brown Brandon, S.D. 5 12-15
2 Cory Goehring Catlewood, S.D. 5 9-06
2 Steven Strope Orchard, Neb. 5 9-06
4 G W Ekroth Dallas, S.D. 5 8-11
5 Glenn Tycz Tyndall, S.D. 5 8-06
6 Tim Olson Alexandra, Minn. 5 8-04
7 Mark Buchmann Martin, S.D. 5 7-08
8 Joe Kippes Mitchell, S.D. 5 7-07
9 Monty Fralick Martin, S.D. 5 7-03
10 Thomas Logue Tyndall, S.D. 5 6-15
10 Darren Lee Sundleaf Yankton, S.D. 5 6-15
12 Harlan Folkers Mission, S.D. 5 5-14INDIANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bob Allen South Bend, Ind. 5 10-14
2 Morris Wheeler Indianapolis, Ind. 5 10-03
3 Rodney Johnson Franklin, Ind. 5 10-00
4 Terry McWilliams Greenfield, Ind. 5 9-11
5 Matt McCoy Indianapolis, Ind. 5 9-01
5 Michael Ruddick Seymour, Ind. 5 9-01
7 Mickey Thomas Edwardsburg, Mich. 5 8-11
8 Randy French Okeana, Ohio 5 8-01
9 Joe Powell Shelburn, Ind. 5 7-00
10 Chad Starrett Shirley, Ind. 5 6-13
11 Dean Cain Monrovia, Ind. 5 6-10
12 Harvey Page Bowling Green, Ky. 1 1-13MICHIGAN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 John Gipson Niles, Mich. 5 11-05
2 Ted Prisbe Harsens Island, Mich. 5 9-10
3 Jeffery Harris Grand Blanc, Mich. 5 9-06
3 Dan Posey Berrien Springs, Mich. 5 9-06
5 Andrew Maier Midland, Mich. 5 8-02
6 Scott Lakey Augusta, Mich. 5 7-15
7 Derrek Zdeb Clawson, Mich. 5 7-14
8 Edward Schiller Wixom, Mich. 5 7-08
9 Brian Beger Shelby Twp, Mich. 5 7-07
10 Larry Gargus Lapeer, Mich. 5 6-12
11 Jerry Doucette Waterford, Mich. 5 6-07
12 Tony Zain Roseville, Mich. 5 5-09WISCONSIN
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dallas Lasche Columbus, Wisc. 5 11-08
2 Ernie Walters New Richmond, Wisc. 5 11-00
3 Ben Potaracke Lacrosse, Wisc. 5 9-09
4 Rick Lindus New Richmond, Wisc. 5 9-03
5 Mike Mattis Hudson, Wisc. 5 9-02
6 Stan Miller Bruce, Wisc. 5 7-07
7 Randy Burch Ladysmith, Wisc. 5 7-05
8 Jim Burrington Lacrosse, Wisc. 5 6-12
9 Randy Eddy Holmen, Wisc. 5 6-11
10 Gary Schild Mundelein, Ill. 5 6-08
10 Mark Smith Wauconda, Ill. 5 6-08
12 Scott Zagrodnik Brooklyn, Wisc. 4 4-11IOWA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brian Searcy Muscatine, Iowa 5 10-12
2 Darrin Kirkland Moravia, Iowa 5 9-06
3 Dan Parker Coultenberg, Iowa 5 9-01
4 Dean Geuder Cedar Rapids, Iowa 5 8-14
5 Steven Houdek Calmar, Iowa 5 8-07
6 Pete Cherkas Des Moines, Iowa 5 7-15
7 Miles Coffin Des Moines, Iowa 5 6-15
8 Ron Cherkas Des Moines, Iowa 5 6-12
9 James Klemp Gattenburg, Iowa 5 6-09
10 Andy Sommerfelt Denver, Iowa 5 6-02
11 Michael Mueller Cedar Rapids, Iowa 5 5-14
12 Steve Huegerich Coon Rapids, Iowa 4 4-11OHIO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mike Toht Bellbrook, Ohio 5 9-10
2 Joe Donnan St Paris, Ohio 5 9-01
3 Robert F Werner Lewisburg, Ohio 5 8-15
4 Doug Rudasill Delphos, Ohio 5 8-14
5 Butch Shearer Piqua, Ohio 5 8-09
6 Bryan McNeal Enon, Ohio 5 7-13
7 Joel Staudter Russells Point, Ohio 5 7-11
8 Ron Nichols Howard, Ohio 5 6-07
9 Fred Tietz Croton, Ohio 5 6-02
10 Larry Trame Conover, Ohio 4 5-15
11 Todd Neu Harrod, Ohio 4 5-06
12 Shawn Kellough Chillicothe, Ohio 5 5-03ILLINOIS
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Junk Quincy, Ill. 5 13-06
2 Dave Thompson Washington, Ill. 5 11-11
3 Mel Hedrick Naperville, Ill. 5 8-15
4 Rick Michael Princeton, Ill. 5 8-09
5 Martin Swanson Atkinson, Ill. 5 7-00
6 Tom Ondras Oak Forest, Ill. 5 6-07
7 Danny Pierce Salem, Ill. 5 6-00
8 A J Messen Bloomington, Ill. 5 5-15
9 Chad Buckman Buda, Ill. 5 5-07
10 Jeff Roman Atkinson, Ill. 4 5-02
11 Steve Banner Lagrange, Mo. 4 4-01
12 Jim Risinger Salem, Ill. 3 3-07