PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (Sept. 7, 2007) - Day three of the FLW Series Eastern Division bass fishing event on Lake Champlain has been canceled due to inclement weather. After consulting with the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Weather Service, FLW Outdoors officials deemed conditions unsafe for competition. Forecasts for Friday called for winds out of the south at 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
"It's never an easy decision to make," tournament director Chris Jones said. "When you think of the points race and the purse at stake here, it's a tough decision to make. But it's all about priorities. And the health and safety of our competitors is our first priority."
The top 10 pro anglers after the first two days of competition will advance to the final day of competition Saturday. Pro Danny Correia of Marlborough, Mass., will lead the finalists with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 37-7. Koby Kreiger of Okeechobee, Fla., caught 10 bass weighing 37-4 to advance to the final day of competition in second place. He is followed by David Wolak of Wake Forest, N.C. (10 bass, 37-1); Clark Wendlandt of Leander, Texas (10 bass, 36-5) and first-day leader team Guido Hibdon of Gravois Mills, Mo. (10 bass, 35-12).
Also clearing the top 10 cut weight of 33 pounds, 3 ounces in the Pro Division are Pat Fisher of Buckhead, Ga.; Joe Lucarelli of New Hampton, N.H.; Steve Kennedy of Auburn, Ala.; Bill Spence of St. Albans, Vt.; and Brian Bylotas of Olyphant, Penn.
Pros are competing this week for a top award of $125,000 plus points in the hope of qualifying for the East-West Fishoff and a shot at advancing to the 2008 Forrest Wood Cup in Columbia, S.C., Aug. 14-17. The top 30 pros from both FLW Series divisions after four qualifying events will advance to the East-West Fishoff, which will be held Jan. 17-19, 2008. The location for the fishoff has not yet been announced. Thirty winners from the fishoff will advance to the 2008 Forrest Wood Cup.
With the cancellation of day three, Charles Dubroc of Hessmer, La., won the Co-angler Division and $25,000 with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 32 pounds, 6 ounces followed by Lynn Baciuska of Afton, N.Y., in second place with 10 bass weighing 29-2 worth $9,665.
Dubroc caught five bass weighing 14-13 while fishing with team Folgers pro Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C., Wednesday and five bass weighing 17-9 while fishing with pro Gaspare Costabile of Niagra Falls, Ontario, Thursday.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Jason Perry of Plattsburgh, N.Y. (10 bass, 29-1, $8,698); Dana Perrotte of Winooski, Vt. (10 bass, 28-1, $7,732) and Mark Phillips of Fayetteville, Ark. (10 bass, 27-9, $6,765).
The 10 remaining pros will take off at 6:30 Saturday morning from Dock Street Landing located at 2 Dock St. in Plattsburgh. Saturday's final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 25 Consumer Square in Plattsburgh, beginning at 4 p.m. Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday's weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include the Fujifilm trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.