CLAYTON, N.Y. (July 14, 2008) - Boater Mike Neilson of Markham, Ontario, won the Bass Fishing League Empire Division bass fishing tournament on 1000 Islands Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 3 ounces. The victory earned Neilson $2,795, plus a $493 Ranger Bonus and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Albemarle Sound Regional Championship in Elizabeth City, N.C.,Oct. 9-11, where he could ultimately win a new 198VX Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
Neilson caught his bass on a Senko and jig and pig around docks and trees.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Jeremy Landry of Waterford, N.Y. (five bass, 18-01, $1,644); Patrick Roy of Oswego, N.Y. (five bass, 17-09, $1,097); Douglas Kirkbride of Beaver Falls, N.Y. (five bass, 17-05, $767) and Michael Czaplinski of Hopatcong, N.J. (five bass, 17-01, $658).
Neilson and Darren Leggett of Wyoming, R.I., took home Boater Division Snickers Big Bass awards, each earning $197.50 for 5-pound, 2-ounce bass. Terry Olmstead of Lock Haven, Pa., earned $1,644 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce he caught on a black and blue jig, Senko and Brush Hog.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Kevin Mothersell of Rochester, N.Y. (five bass, 17-02, $822); Herb Brown of Fryeburg, Maine (five bass, 15-03, $549); Robert Rovenski of Mount Holly, N.J. (five bass, 15-00, $384) and Adam Janerella of Jersey Shore, Pa. (five bass, 14-14, $329). Jeff Warren of Lansdale, Pa., earned $197 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 1-ounce bass.
Empire Division anglers will visit Lake Chautauqua in Bemus Point, N.Y., Aug. 2 for their third regular-season event, followed by an event on Oneida Lake in Brewerton, N.Y., Aug. 30. A two-day Super Tournament, the division's fifth and final event, will be held on Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, N.Y., Sept. 20-21.