Mark Twain once said in referring to the New England weather conditions, "If you don't like the weather….Wait a minute!" Listening to the weather channel, I felt as though Twain himself was the meteorologist! The sun is going to shine, the rains will be heavy, the sun is going to shine, the rains will be heavy…..!

Realizing that I have no control over the weather, I put my trust in the 'Man Up-stairs', returning phone calls and emails with positive responses. "The tournament is on rain or shine!"

Jim Marenzana, Vice President of the Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation, our host for the Congamond Lake tournament, pulled into the state ramp towing his Skeeter bass boat, stopped, stuck his head out the window and yelled, "It was snowing, raining, and even hailed on my way up this morning!"

From the registration tables a voiced echoed, "Should make for a great bass bite! Sign in, grab some coffee and donuts and let the Nam Knights escort service help your NEPVA partner into your boat."
After a tournament briefing, and playing of our National Anthem, NEPVA Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine cautioned all anglers as to the predicted high winds and torrential rains scheduled for the afternoon, giving anglers the option to come in early to warm-up as needed during the 40 degree plus conditions.

With thirty NEPVA Anglers originally scheduled to participate in the May 7th tournament, seventeen managed to make their way to compete in the first of four regional NEPVA Bass Trail tournaments. "I'm absolutely amassed at the enthusiasm of these paralyzed anglers," replied volunteer worker Clara McCabe.

As angling teams ventured out unto Congamond's three interconnected lakes, volunteer workers assembled the weigh-in site, hanging sponsor's banners, wiring speakers for the weigh-in/awards ceremonies, then wrapped the gazebo with tarps for protection from the winds and scheduled rains. While, Nam Knights Motorcycle members from New Hampshire and Worcester Massachusetts secured the boaters tow vehicles matching boat/vehicle numbers with their PVA partners' wheelchairs.

At the southern section of Congamond's Middle Pond, Kurt Saunders of Saunders Boat and Livery made ready tents, and grills for the afternoon BBQ. With skies continuing to threaten and scattered showers lasting only minutes, the winds increased their speeds to 25 mph plus. Yet, not one angling team came in before the 2:00 pm check-in time!
Standing on Congamond Lake's newly erected 'Handicap Fishing Pier' worker Lee Hannah called out boat numbers, asking if anglers needed weigh-in bags. To this each team responded with a diffident 'YES', framed with a frozen smile!
Once, all NEPVA anglers were assisted out of their partners' boats, Weigh-master Larry Batignani instructed Bob Duffy and Butch Placido to call the teams to the scales in groups of five.

Thanks to sponsor Vincent Trantolo of Trantolo & Trantolo Attorneys at Law, the weigh-in's were extremely attractive, captivating everyone attention due to models Miss Loriann (www.missloriann.com) and Miss Krystyna's escorting the NEPVA anglers to the scales. It was the first time I ever witnessed an angler without a limit smiling from cheek-to-cheek!
Eight teams managed to secure limits, but Massachusetts's Mike Tamburello and NEPVA Angler McArthur 'Mac' Williams claimed top honors with a total team weight of 20.06 lbs. Working drop-offs and weed beds in 7-10' for pre-spawn bass was the winning pattern.

"I rigged Mac with a 7' rod for easy casting and better hook sets," revealed Tamburello. Adding, "Our most product baits were Quick Strike grubs, and Kenny Sabine's 5iveAlive (www.5iveAlive.com) RocKraw as a jig trailer." As the winning Boat Captain Mike won a gift certificate to Tournament Force Tackle courtesy of owner Mike Kane.
Who ever said 'No one remembers the second place finisher', never met Boat Captain Jim Blanchard and his NEPVA partner Laura Oaks! This bridesmaid team carried 16.29 lbs of bass to the scales, anchored with the tournaments 3.27 lb Lunker Largemouth, caught by Laura.

Fishing from a bass boat for her very first time Laura entered the Boater Division from the Bank Division when high winds canceled the Bank Divisions Pontoon Boat. "We allowed Laura to compete in both divisions, when we were unable to talk her out of fishing from a bass boat," smiled Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine. "We honestly thought we would see Laura back at the ramp within the hour. She proved us wrong!"

Laura Oaks won the Bank Divisions Top-Honors, the Big Fish Trophy, as well as claiming the Boater Divisions Lunker Largemouth Trophy. Add in her second place finish and that totals four trophies, and numerous rod/reel combinations. While, partner Jim Blanchard's efforts won him two trophies and a beautiful Fenwick rod.
Third place trophies went to Boat Captain Dave Dussault and NEPVA's National PVA Champion Angler Jim Wallack of New Hampshire. "I have fished with some very competitive anglers, but I have never met any as competitive and as positive as Jim," stated Dussault as they accepted there trophies and prizes. "I feel the same way," responded Wallack. "We really had a great spinnerbait pattern going before we lost power to our trolling motor, but Dave's knowledge of Congamond placed us in a shelter area and we continued catch bass."

Triton Boats & Bassette Boats Pro-Staffer Eric Kaplan and his NEPVA partner Andrew Kaplan, also his Dad, fell ounces behind Dussault and Wallack into the fourth place slot by a mere .24 lbs. However, their 3.42 lb Lunker Smallmouth carried them into the winners circle claiming tournament trophies and prizes. "Our smallie fell victim to a Bitsy Bug worked in four feet of water," said Team Kaplan.

Thanks to the NEPVA Congamond Lake sponsors; Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation, Yankee Bait & Tackle, 5iveAlive Custom Baits, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, Cobra Baits, Tournament Force Tackle, Southwick Bait & Tackle, Stor's It Rod Covers, Saunders Marina, Northern Bass Supply, Nam Knights, Legend Publications, Trantolo & Trantolo Lawyers, Woods & Waters USA, Boulevard Machine & Gear, Inc., Tibby's Harley Davidson and Whip's Sporting Goods, all participating anglers received prizes, free tackle and a warm meal held at Saunders Boat & Livery.

God Bless and Best Bass'n

All NEPVA Bass Trail Tournaments are totally FREE to ALL participates and open to all individuals with disabilities whether veterans or non-veterans! Individuals interested in fishing the tournaments may contact Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine @ 1.781.935.2480. As a non-profit organization the tournament trail is funded only by generous donations from its sponsors, with all sponsor donations being tax deductible. For information on becoming an NEPVA sponsor contact Tiny LaFontaine or Bill Deoteau @ 1.413.566.3961.