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OPERATION 100,000 PATRIOTS

Get is up and running with the Second Annual Spring Bass Challenge


Saturday, May 15, 2010 of Armed Forces day was a great day to celebrate the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. 52 servicemen and women arrived at Leeslyvainia State Park, VA and were paired with professional and local bass angler along with a sponsor for great day on the Potomac. This time there was a twist. They were not looking for that 5 fish limit they were hunting that one big Potomac river Bass. The big fish format allowed them to concentrate on different areas that are known to hold the bigger fish that the Potomac is known for. It also helped keep the mortality rate of the catches for the day to 0. That means that all fish were released and survived to be caught another day. My hats off to the boaters for their fish management.

“The day started early for all but it was worth it. Just to see our Nations Heroes with big smiles on their faces makes this event a blessing.” Angie Kirk said. This year the team of Angie Kirk and Brian Green, A local Tournament Angler and One Stop Boat Shop Pro Staffer, contacted all of the boaters as Marsha Stumpo of Angler Development headed up the administration staff of the PVA- Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund worked with all of the others to make this event a pleasure for the Heroes.

Ken Kirk, a Local Fishing Guide, Started these events over two years ago with a U.S. Army Chaplin from Ft. Meade. Since then they have gotten bigger and better every time. “We had our Heroes come from all over the place this year.” Kirk, Said. “It was hard just keeping up with the different commands that wanted to be a part of this.” There were Heroes from Ft. Meade. Walter Reed Army Med Center, Portsmouth Naval Station, Ft. Eustis, VA., Ft Belvior, VA , Quantico Marine Corps Base and Ft Bragg, NC.


According to the boaters, most of the Heroes caught fish but all of them have a great time. It is great to see a community come together to support our troops.



As the boats returned after the day on the river smiles lit up the faces of the heroes as they weighed in their fish. Coming in 3rd place was the team of Randy Quesenberry with his Hero Army Spc. John Marlett. Their biggest fish weighed in at 4 lbs. 5 oz. Second place fell to the team of Ret. Marine Mark Light and his Hero Army Spc. John Ray tipping the scales with their Bass of 4 lbs. 6 oz. The Second Annual Spring Bass Challenge was won with a Big Bass Weighing in at 4lbs 11 ozs.,by the team of Ret Marine, Tim Barrons and his Hero Sgt. Steven Rush and Mike Worley. I asked Tim if he had a good time and he said that this was his first event and he and the heroes had a great time on the water. He also stated that he will do these events from now on because he sees what it means to our Nations Heroes. The top 10 in the standings look like this.

1st- Tim Barron, Sgt Steven Rush, Mike Worley 4 lbs 11 ozs.

2nd- Mark Light, Spc. John Ray 4 lbs. 6 ozs.

3rd_ Randy Quesenberry, Spc. John Marlett 4 lbs. 5 ozs.

4th_ Jim Sutton Sgt. Leslie Timms, Ralph Lotterman 4 lbs 1 oz.

5th_ Larry Martin, General Randy West, Little Randy West 4 lbs. 0 ozs.

6th_ Brian Green, Shawn Burke, Eddie O’Neal 3 lbs. 6 ozs.

7th_ Mark McGhee, Sgt Wilmer Apolo, Jim Vance 3 lbs. 5 ozs.

8th_ Kevin Phelphs, Amy Smith 3 lbs 4ozs.

9th_ A.J. Labossier, Sgt. James Howell, Phil Clark 3 lbs. 2 ozs.

10th_ Al Firelli, Sgt Cristal Griffin, Jeff Scott 3 lbs. 0 oz.

There was a mix up on the first place Out of the Money The award went to the team of Larry Cable and GySgt Alan Frederique with 2.13 but we were going by length to break the ties, so the team of Don Zaegel, his Hero, Cauldwell were 1st out of the money with 3 lbs and 18.5 ins. With the new format it takes some time to work out all of the bugs.

All who attended the event had a great time and we are looking forwarded to the Lake Anna Fall Bass Classic on September 25, 2010.

See you on the water.

K2

www.k2guideservice.com