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Brightwell Wins Central Qualifier
St. Albans Teen, Youngest Ever to Qualify
Central Qualifier
Results - Central Team Standings
By Chris Lawrence
There's something to be said for "home field advantage." Ask any member of a sports team and they'll
tell you it helps to sleep in your own bed at night and to know every inch of the field of play. The same holds
true in fishing, and proved to be the case at the West Virginia Bass Federation's 2001 Central Qualifier.
Dennis Brightwell of Saint Albans regularly fishes the Kanawha River since it's a stone's throw from his home.
While most would call that an aid in securing his 7lb stringer for the two days, even Dennis says they weren't
easy bites to come by.
"We fished about 15-holes between Marmet and Winfield." Says the member of Bassakwards Bass Club; "It
was run and gun all day. I knew it would be tough and I was right."
Second and third places were secured with a team effort of sorts. Brother's Shawn and Eric Stewart of Walkersville
shared information-and nearly the second place spot. Shawn tipped the scales with 6lbs-4oz, just two ounces ahead
of Eric.
"I worked down here in St. Albans for eleven months." Says Shawn, a civil engineer, "It helped me
find a few places that I thought would be good. We also practiced a couple of weeks ago together."
"He told me where to go and what to throw and it worked." Says Eric. "My first keeper came exactly
how he said it would, flipping shallow water.
The brothers headed out in different directions though to find their fish. Eric headed up river past the capital
while Shawn ran down river toward Winfield to give his spots a try.
The top 27 finishers from the Central Qualifier earned their way into the state championship at Fairmont.
Proving one bite is all it takes, Hobie Butcher of Appalachian BassMasters finished eighth for the weekend with
only one fish-but 3lb. -15 ouncer was all it took for lunker for the weekend.
While the fishing was in fact tough, fishing period was tough given the mood of the nation. The Central Qualifier
fell the weekend after the deadly terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Most sporting events
for the weekend were cancelled, including two Citgo BassMaster events in New York. However, West Virginia Bass
Federation President John Burdette says they made the conscious decision to press on.
"I understand the great tragedy that has occurred and wish there was something we could do to make everything
alright. But the reality is that there is not much we can do other than pray for the victims and their families."
Burdette wrote to Federation members on the wvbass.com message board. "I think we are playing into the hands
of the terrorists when we cancel our events and change our way of life because of their actions. We are in no way
trying to downplay the seriousness of this tragedy or be disrespectful to the victims or their families."
The signs that the attacks were on everyone's minds were evident. American flags hung from the radio antennas of
tow vehicles and a few were strapped to light bars as the weekend event began. Both days weigh-ins included many
sporting American flag apparel and showing the country's true colors.
Other Central Qualifier notes:
- Bassakwards BassMasters won the team championship with 12 fish weighing 17lbs-3oz. Mid-State BassMasters was
second with 17lbs-5oz.
- Kevin White of Elk River BassMasters qualified for the State Championship with an 11th place finish. At age
16, White is the youngest angler to ever qualify for the championship.
- The total weight for the tournament 100lbs-11oz. with 75 bass caught. All 75 fish were released alive.
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