Hosting an event is only a minute requirement in preparing for a Paralyzed Veterans of America bass tournament! Meeting the needs of its participants, while providing an establishment with the ability to afford anglers with disabilities easy access to boat ramps, dock areas, as well as overnight lodging facilities, is a task few eager hosts can measure up to.

Yet, not surprisingly the great-state of Maine's B.A.S.S. Federation claimed tournament location precedence within the NEPVA bass tournament circuit for 2004, by accepting and meeting the challenge of hosting a New England Paralyzed Veterans of America bass tournament this past October 4th on North Pond in Rome, Maine.

Spooled with a French-Canadian 'Don't Tell Me No' persistence, Maine's B.A.S.S. Federation voted unanimously to accept Morris's recommendation for hosting an NEPVA tournament. Pointing their B.A.S.S. bow of approval in a northerly direction, Maine's Federation Anglers immediately jumped on plane, adding to their personal challenge by forecasting a tournament within the same calendar year!

"Heath's excitement for Maine's involvement was overwhelming. But the team work in formatting all the logistics spear-headed by Fred LeDrew in such short a time frame demonstrated Maine's commitment to becoming a permanent participant in the growth of the New England PVA Bass Tournament Trail," states Tiny LaFontaine NEPVA Bass Tournament Director and president of the America Eagles Bass Anglers. (Founders of the NEPVA Bass Trail)

LeDrew and his team of B.A.S.S. Federation volunteers contacted Harvey Chesley Jr. and Erin Rice of 'Pine Tree Camp' in Smithfield, Maine. (www.pinetreesociety.org/cabin_rec.html) "Nestled along the scenic shorelines of North Pond, Pine Tree Camp is a recreational facility equipped with fully-accessible settings designed for individuals with disabilities," says NEPVA Sports Director Mike Guilbault. "Pine Tree Camp operates year round, so the camps ability to lodge, feed and accommodate indoor banquet and award ceremonies during inclement weather conditions was an additional bonus!"

As Maine's tournament-pattern of events formed into reality, their picture perfect setting was slightly out of focus. "One of the unique concepts of the NEPVA Bass Trail is the totally-free tournament event for all NEPVA Anglers and their boater partners," says Rod Kingsbury, a former Executive Board member of the NEPVA.

NEPVA anglers are only required to provide their transportation to the tournament site. However, if this presents a problem Tom Lee, owner of Butlee's Handicap Outdoor Adventures, has volunteered his services and vehicles for transportation. ( www.handicapadventures.org )

The monetary road-block-detour to success of this 'Totally-Free Tournament' concept is the continuance of support from sponsors willing to donate and supply their products to off-set tournament and facility cost in running a two-three day event.

With dollar sign road-blocks, LeDrew and his crew focused on campaigning, touching the generous hearts of such sponsors as Hannaford Supermarkets and Pepsi distributors of Maine, thus eliminating any shortage of meals. While tackle and merchandise for PVA anglers flowed in from Northern Bass Supply, Popeye Baits, L.L. Bean, Kittery Trading Post, MidMaine and Clark's marine.

Never doubting for once that Paralyzed Veterans of America Anglers would travel to Maine in the chilling month of October for a bass tournament, Fred LeDrew contacted Crown Royal Canadian Whisky. "Crown Royal supports the most prestigious Team of Bass Anglers in the world, 'Team Crown Royal'," smiled LeDrew. "They immediately came on board and supported the NEPVA Anglers in Crown Royal fashion!" (www.teamcrownroyal.com)

Casting a vote of confidence and compassion to the New England Paralyzed American Bass Angling Veterans, Team Crown Royal made a major monetary contribution mapping the completion of all monetary tournament commitments as a way-point to success, thus allowing the event to proceed forward.

As New England weather conditions changed from forecast to forecast, the list of eager NEPVA Bass Anglers continued to grow. Come pre-tournament registration time a line of NEPVA Bass Anglers logging road miles from as far away as Long Island, NY received room assignments and tournament itinerary schedules.

Early morning clouds didn't hamper the anglers' spirits, as eighteen bass boat teams idled out of the Pine Tree Camp docks, in pursuit of a five bass team limit. NEPVA anglers in the 'Bank Division' took-up positions on the deck of a pontoon boat.

The 2:00 pm weigh-in brought wet-chilly anglers to the scales, but livewells of active smallmouth and largemouth bass seemed to warm the smiles of competitors. "I'm not sure who is more wet, the bass or me," shivered NEPVA Angler John Walls of West Point, New York, as he weighed in a four bass creel.

With the official closing of the scales, Massachusetts NEPVA Angler Ken Mumford and Maine's B.A.S.S. Federation's Joe Gerrier claimed top honors, as their five bass limit tipped the scales at 12.17 lbs. Maine Registered Guide Dale Liggett and NEPVA Angler Frank Vogeli of Long Island, New York anchored the second place slot with the tournaments Lunker Largemouth 5.72 lbs and the Lunker Smallmouth 2.33 lbs to total their five bass limit at 11.09 lbs.

Maine B.A.S.S. Federation State-Team member Jeff Rafuse and NEPVA seasoned angler Kevin Hosier settled for third place and a five bass 9.33 lb mix-bag limit of North Pond bass. Excelling Crown Royals professionalism, team members Joe Crosby (Atlanta, GA) and Luke Foli (Terre Haute, Ind.) were on-site with their Team Crown Royal Ranger Boat/Tow vehicle, signing autographs, giving angling tips, as well as sharing a few laughs with NEPVA Anglers during the awards ceremonies banquet.

As over twenty-five NEPVA Anglers and their boater partners came forward to receive their trophies and prizes, Crown Royals Operation Manager Joe Crosby announced, "In appreciation for affording Team Crown Royal the opportunity to become a major sponsor of the Maine NEPVA Bass Tournament, all NEPVA Anglers will receive a Crown Royal bag containing Crown Royal gear/clothing based on your tournament ranking."

In an array of standing ovations, whistles, cheers and wheelchair spins NEPVA anglers, family members and friends applauded, thanking the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation and all sponsors for hosting Maine's 1st NEPVA Bass Tournament.

God Bless and Best Bass'n