Bassmasters tournament stimulates local economy

TROUT CREEK- Small businesses in Sanders County received an early season boost as the 2014 B.AS.S Nation Western Divisional took place on Noxon Reservoir.

Anglers and spectators shuffled through the small town throughout the week as the BASS Nation Divisional Tournament was held from Wednesday, May 21 to Friday, May 23, with pre-fishing starting a few days before.

There was such an influx of people for the sporting event that many visitors had to stay outside of town.

“People are staying all the way in Plains for the week,” Harris said.

This large number of visitors has caused business owners to see a direct increase in early season profits thanks to the popular bass fishing event.

Early projections noted the bass tournament could bring $250,000 in revenue to the county.

Bill Stevenson, owner of the Trout Creek Motel, recognized the benefits of the small town hosting such a prominent event.

“We never have bass fisherman in May. The stores are all open early in the day, since the fishermen got out so early. It’s great,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson added his motel, in addition to the multiple cabins and 16 RV sites on their grounds were all booked through the week, providing added financial benefits.

“It’s a good shot in the arm, so you don’t have to dip into your savings,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson was quick to note that the affects of the tournament were not only felt this week.

Some anglers were staying at the motel 10 days and up to a month before the tournament started, as they scoped out the reservoir in the run up to the tournament, stated Stevenson.

The motel owner was impressed with the size of the crowd that had turned up for the fishing tournament, stating the town was more full than during summer events.

“We may see five times the dollar amount of the Huckleberry Festival,” Stevenson said.

Motels were not the only businesses benefitting from the fishing fever as local restaurants also received a notable influx of business.

Sandra Melter, owner of the Naughty Pine Saloon on the banks of the reservoir was excited to see the town full early in the summer season.

Melter pointed out the Noxon Reservoir hosts several fishing tournaments during the summer but the scale of the B.A.S.S. master tournament was readily apparent.

“It’s nationals, this is a whammer,” Melter said.

The restaurant owner added the benefits large-scale events brought to Trout Creek.

“When people come out here the whole town wins,” Melter said.

Melter hoped the tournament, and its successes during the week, would help to bring people out to Trout Creek in greater numbers.

“It’s the fun town. That is what we want to be known for,” Melter said.

The anglers who took part in the competition shared this view, noting what a wonderful time they had over the week as their final catches were weighed in on Friday afternoon.

Curtis Spindler, president of the Montana BASS Nation, was especially gracious when his tournament came to a close.

“I was worried about bringing such a large event to Trout Creek, but the community really stepped up,” Spindler said.

The divisional tournament consisted of anglers from 11 different states in the western United States. The top angler from each state will advance to the national stage of the tournament to be held in Monroe, Louisiana on the Ouachita River.

The Lakeside Motel hosted the event, with daily fish weigh-ins occurring on motel grounds and the resort’s boat launch was used as the staging ground for the weeklong event.

The 2014 tourney marks the second time the national competition has taken place on Noxon Reservoir and Lakeside Motel owner, John Harris noted there was notable increase in both anglers. This year’s event featured 79 teams, up from around 40 who participated in the reservoir’s 2004 tourney.

Tim Johnston of Montana took first place in the tournament, with a total haul of 39 pounds of fish over three days.

The biggest fish caught during the tournament was a largemouth bass weighing five pounds and eight ounces. Dejon Lewis of California caught the fish on the second day of competition.