Trout Creek sets hopes on Western Bass Divisional
<p>A participant who took place in the ABA Tournament on June 8th and June 9th displays his prize catch of the day.</p>
TROUT CREEK – The Lakeside Motel and Resort in Trout Creek hosted their annual ABA Tournament on June 8th and 9th, a tournament focused on fishing bass.
The tournament took place at the Noxon Rapids Reservoir and two locals came out with the win.
JD Wood and John North took the championship with a weight of 15.16 pounds.
During the tournament bass were culled, a process that allows the fisher to increase their fish weight limit by replacing smaller fish with larger ones caught.
The live well in the boats keeps the fish alive, allowing the smaller ones to be returned to the lake.
Ten boats took place in the tournament, all of which brought back fish with them. Prior to the ABA Tournament, the TBF tournament was held, another tournament where a lot of fish were culled.
According to owner of the Lakeside Motel and Resort, John Harris, in the TBF tournament it was not uncommon for a boat to bring in 20 to 30 fish.
Both tournaments were catch and release.
“The tournaments went really good,” said Harris explaining that Sanders County is currently submitting a bid to host the 2014 Western Bass Divisional, where 14 states will compete in May of 2014 if the proposal is accepted.
The county has hosted the tournament twice before at the Noxon Reservoir in 1994 and 2003.
Harris explained the spring of 2003 was their first year in Sanders County and Trout Creek and the Motel saw more business than ever, making that spring the best one yet revenue wise.
“(The tournament) brought a lot of revenue into Trout Creek, Thompson Falls and Noxon,” said Harris, explaining it helped boost the economy in the valley early on in the tourist season.
The Chamber of Commerce as well as Tour 200 are currently working on putting the proposal together and have to have it submitted by the end of June. In December, they will receive word of whether or not the proposal was accepted, deciding if the Western Bass Divisional will be hosted in Sanders County.
“It could be anywhere from 140 boaters or bass fisherman,” said Harris adding that the number does not include family members, vendors, and staff from BASS.
During the divisional hosted in 2003, ESPN televised the event and also broadcasted it on their website.
According to Harris, the opportunity to host the event comes up every ten years.
Last year, California beat out Sanders County and this year they hope to get the tournament back.
Harris stated the numbers of fish are going up, a good sign hopefully allowing them to host the Western Bass Divisional.
Results from the ABA Bass Tournament:
Saturday: First place - North/Wood with 15.16 pounds; Second place - Martin/Martin with 14.78; Third place - Dickson/Conlin with 13.93; Fourth place - Stickney/Grove with 10.16; Fifth place - Reed/Gust with 12.92; Sixth place - Stamper/Gollen with 10.16; Seventh place - Christenson/Goldade with 9.88; Eight place - Hilyer/Hogsett with 9.25; Ninth place - Breitenbach/Miller with 8.33; Tenth place - Shillinger/Haynes with 8.29; Eleventh place - Dunsworth/Bacus with 7.11.
The big fish award went to Martin/Martin with a weight of 4.52 and second place went to Christenson/Goldade with 4.25.
Sunday: First place - North/Wood with a weight of 13.75; Second place - Reed/Gust with 11.58; Third place - Dickson/Conlin with 10.04; Fourth place - Martin/Martin with 9.80; Fifth place - Dunsworth/Bacus with 9.59; Sixth place - Breitenbach/Miller with 9.14; Seventh place - Schillinger/Haynes with 8.55; Eighth place - Christenson/Goldade with 8.53; Ninth place - Stickney/Grove with 7.50; Tenth place - Hilyer/Hogsett who did not score because their boat broke down.
The big fish award went to Schillinger/Haynes with a weight of 3.90 and second place went to Reed/Gust with 3.34.