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| FishTails |
Cold Front Stalls Big Bite at Summersville
[May 7, 2002] - By Chris Lawrence
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| Red sky at morning - sailors warning - Weather was a factor for some
during the WVBF Buddy Trail event at Summersville Lake May 4, 2002. |
"If some of these drought stricken states need some rain, I know a sure way to get 'em some. Hold a Federation
tournament in their state."
That's the way one angler at the May 4, 2002 Buddy Trail visit to Summersville Lake summed up yet another miserable
day. Things started well enough with a warm breeze, partly cloudy skies, and temperatures cold-but promising to
warm. However, near noon plundering could be seen aboard virtually every bass boat on the lake as anglers dug into
dry storage boxes for the rain suit. It marks the third straight tournament of the year that ill weather has tested
the mettle of those fishing the West Virginia Bass Federation's Buddy Trail.
Some concluded the weather either helped or hurt their pattern, depending on the situation they were working. However,
nearly everyone who pre-fished the tournament lamented the lack of any big fish. Mike and Kevin Goff's 3lb-10oz
largemouth proved to be the biggest catch of the day in a tournament known to yield at least a few nice size smallmouth
as well.
"When we pre-fished down here Wednesday it was incredible." Says Federation President John Burdette;
"We were catching some big fish. It didn't take but a cast or two on those spots this morning to know things
had changed."
The timing of Wednesday's "big bite" when several had prefished could be linked directly to a major front
that passed through the state on Thursday ahead of the Saturday event. Southern West Virginia endured yet another
major flood that left McDowell County in ruin again and many waters across the state high and muddy. Summersville
Lake was actually about the only body of water left in West Virginia that wasn't completely muddy. Conditions were
reflective of the front and big rain, with the water higher than usual.
Former trail champions Robert and Robbie Fleshman were able to overcome the disappointing bite and put together
a seven-fish stringer topping all others.
"There was no such thing as a 'best spot'." Says the elder Fleshman. "We just got seven good bites.
We didn't miss any and we didn't catch any shorts."
The Fleshman's pattern wasn't a shock to those who know their fishing abilities-and fishing habits. They Texas
rigged and Carolina rigged points in Battle Run to scratch out a few quality fish totaling 13lbs-7oz. Tubes were
the baits of choice for the victorious pair.
Local anglers Brian Stevenson and Andy Waugh of Belva used a drastically different pattern to garner second place
with an 11lb. -3oz stringer.
"We ran all the way to Muddlety." Says Stevenson "We caught fish all day, mostly on spinnerbaits."
It's clear these two have other plans to use their same pattern in other upcoming trails, making them reluctant
to add any more information about their successful bait pattern.
Defending champions of the Summersville tournament, Brad Backus and Dave Martin, were able to win the 2001 tournament
with 13lbs-20z. This year they were able to nab just a little over nine-pound good enough for third place. Like
the Fleshman's, Backus and Martin know how to connect with smallmouth using plastics on the points.
The trail takes a radically different turn for the season at this point. Anglers prepare to focus on river fishing,
rather than lake patterns. Let's hope Mother Nature will at least be forgiving in Ravenswood, Fairmont, and Moundsville.
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| These anglers work the clear water of McKees Creek saturday morning. |
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| Gore-Tex was the call for many saturday as temperatures dropped and
rain fell during the third event of the 2002 WVBF Buddy Trail. |
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