A severe cold front and the rising wasters on Lake Eufaula have challenged the professional bass anglers of the Women's Bass Fishing Association competing in the WBFA 2002 Classic World Championship.
Festivities and practice fishing days started last Sunday with the Catch A Special Thrill (CAST) for Kids program. The lady anglers of the professional bass tour hosted 15 deserving children from the Eufaula area for a morning of fishing. Each child left with a plaque displaying a picture of the child and their pro-for-a-day, a new rod and reel, a stocked tackle box, and a lifetime of memories.
On Tuesday evening, the associations 2002 Amateur of the Year and Rookie of the Year were named and honored during a banquet at the Lake Point Resort.
Debra Petrowski, Arlington Texas, and Ann Hood, Statesboro, Georgia, were co-honored as Co-Amateur Anglers of the Year. Both had earned exactly the same points during the previous years competition. George Braswell, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits representative, lauded their individual accomplishments and presented them with cash awards and trophies.
Lonnie Walsh, Havana, Florida, was named the 2002 WBFA Rookie of the Year. Michelle Kilborn, Mercury Marine Tournament Coordinator, traveled to the event to announce Walsh as the winner and to make the cash and trophy presentation.
On Wednesday morning, the ladies again played host to fish a VIP Charity Bass Tournament. Deserving dignitaries and local officials joined the ladies for a 4-hour tournament on Lake Eufaula. Bob Newsome, Alabama Inter-Forest, teamed up with professional lady bass angler Patsy McDaniel to bring just under 9 pounds of bass to the weigh-in scales and capture first place. He earned $500.00 for an Alabama charity. He selected the Barbour County Crisis Pregnancy Center as the recipient.
Championship competition starts Thursday morning at safe daylight. Like all WBFA events, the ladies will launch into competition with a musical tribute to the USA and a fireworks display.
Weigh-ins will begin at 2:45pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Lake Point Marina. Tournament Director Willie Cook said, "The weigh-ins are dynamic spectator events. We use a PA system and make sure the crowd knows exactly what is going on. The weigh-in Saturday will be a special treat."
On Saturday, November 16, the first 80 kids to show up at weigh-in will receive a free rod and reel. Festivities will start at 2:00pm with a concert by The World's Greatest Fishing Band. Sammy Lee, host of Tight Lines radio show will emcee the program.
After the weigh-in, the 2002 WBFA World Champion will be announced. Along with the title, she will be handed the keys to a 2003 TR19 Triton bass boat, equipped with a Mercury 150 outboard, Minn Kota trolling motor, Hummingbird electronics, and Deka Marine batteries.
VIP TOURNAMENT RESULTS:
1. Bob Newsome Patsy McDaniel 8.63 2. Tom Sparrow Kimberlee Striker 8.16 3. Brandon Ward Penny Berryman 6.27 4. Skip Jackson Dianna Rogers 5.98 5. Jerry Stanley Judy Wong 3.77