The Fat Lady’s A Singing………. 

            With an emotional closing for the 2006 season, Youth Director Adrian Alexander and Tournament Director Roger Mezenen had to reach over and turn out the lights for the Utah Jr Bass Federation for the 2006 season. Although this was the last qualifying tournament of the season, we went out with more than a bang as more kids turned out for this last event in record breaking numbers.  

            Twenty eight kids took to the water Saturday at Pine View Reservoir to fish what was proven to be the toughest lake of the season……is that a bad thing? Actually, it’s not, in fact at this stage in the game it becomes necessary to help separate the better fisher-kid from the rest of the pack. Those who pre-fished knew things were going to be tough, and it was in fact just that, and with very warm weather, a lot of skiing action on the lake and a slow bite, kids were ready to get off the water and accept what they had in their sacks as they all headed to an early weigh-in.

             Shocked???     Well not me, after seeing Mandy take it to ’em in St. George with a second place, there was no doubt in mind that we would see her again on the leader board. Mandy pulled in the biggest sack in the 11 to 14 age group with just over 4 pounds to take home the 1^st place trophy. Justin Elnicky was right on her heels bringing home 2^nd place with 3.70 pounds and  just barely nudging Mandy out for the Big Fish award with a 1.99 keeper. Austin Hill brought up the rear taking home the 3^rd place trophy with 3.07 pounds. Unfortunately, over half the field blanked in the 11 to 14 age group, but we are very proud of our young kids for hanging in there and never giving up. 

            With five kids in the running for top dog in the 15 to 18 age bracket, it was anybody’s game and the fight was on to see just who was going to be the best of the best and go on to the FLW Championships in Birmingham Alabama at the end of the month, and once again Sunny Hawk took to the stage to gather the 1^st place trophy and claim his 1^st birth into the Championship. Sunny obviously owned the lake and “HE PROVED IT” by catching nine keepers and culling his way to almost eight and a half pounds. Jake Sedar came to the scales with 5.89 pounds to claim 2^nd place and Marcus Mayeda ground up 4.31 pounds himself to snatch up the 3^rd place trophy. The disappointment of the day came to Anthony Stence, who won the Big Fish award with a two and a half pounder, but couldn’t get any more to go with it. 

            Saturday’s event ended at the Huntsville Park with a huge barbeque, plenty of give-a-ways and the trophies ceremony. Several kids were shocked when they received other honors such as “Most Improved Angler” which Ryan Mezenen (11-14) and Colten Ferman (15-18) took those honors, and all kids took home a participation trophy and a $50.00 certificate from US Bank. There were plenty of smiles as well as tears, but what a way to end the year.