The 2012 River Bassin’ Tournament hosted by Paddle and Trail was a great success, especially considering the minimal rainfall this season contributing to low water levels. This 2nd Annual event saw a great deal more competitors than last year, providing a great field of anglers all fighting for a Jackson “Coosa” fishing kayak Grand Prize and over $1000 in other cash and prizes, including a Aqua-Bound Angler Paddle, various MTI safety vests, 3-month memberships to new sponsor TackleGrab.com, a gas card from Paul & Bill’s Mobile Service & Car Wash for the “Longest Drive”, and a free 1-night stay at Comfort Suites of Downtown Aurora.
Eventual WINNER Tom Loo from Schaumburg IL spent the day fly-fishing and returned with a 3-fish total length of 51.75″, an average of 17.25″, with 2 fish at 17.50″. Loo won the Jackson “Coosa” kayak and later donated it to the ISA (Illinois Smallmouth Alliance). Paul Biediger (from Michigan) was a close 2nd Place with a 3-fish total of 49.25″, and his team mate Chris LeMessurier of Wilderness Systems Kayaks (also from Michigan) scoring 3 fish at a total of 49.00″. The team of Biediger / LeMessurier won the Team Division 1st Place awards with a total length of 66.75″ (top 2 fish from each angler), followed by the team of Frank Macikas and Bart Durham with their best 4 fish measuring 57.00″.
The largest fish of the day was actually caught by Jan Panlilio at 18.00″, however he did not enter the “Biggest Fish” pool, so this category win, along with $100 cash, also went to Chris LeMessurier with his largest fish at 17.50″. You may have noticed that Tom Loo, our Individual Class winner, also scored a 17.50″ fish, but he too did not enter the class. Lesson today kids… enter the “Biggest Fish” class, and take home more cash!
Additional Awards include:
“Longest Drive” Mobile Gas Card from Paul & Bills’ Service & Wash: Ray Fesemeyer
“Raffle for a Paddle”: Mark Lutz
“Battle for a Bait Box”: Colin Belle
If you think this sounds like fun… check out the fishing leagues on Windson Lake in Loves Park, IL.
http://paddleandtrail.com/
Stay tuned to www.PaddleandTrail.com for more events, such as the 2012 Rockford Adventure Race and more.
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