Pine Tree Camp in Smithfield, Maine hosted the NEPVA Bass Tournament event, as Camp Director Harvey Chesley Jr. worked diligently meeting every participates needs with comfortable accommodations and delicious meals prepared by his friendly staff (www.pinetreesociety.org/cabin_rec.html). Hannaford Supermarkets executive Toby Suttie, also a volunteer boater, donated all of the drinks and food for the post-tournament dinner.

"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. "Fred LeDrew's contact with Crown Royal Canadian Whisky and their generous monetary contribution coupled with their donation of prizes has once again made the Maine NEPVA tournament site one of the most enjoyable stops of our entire trail!"

With New England weather conditions painting a panoramic backdrop of beautiful autumn colors, gentle breezes greeted competing teams as they received a pre-tournament briefing before the morning take-off. "This year our good friend Fred LeDrew added an additional bonus to the team that weighs in the heaviest Northern Pike," revealed NEPVA Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine.

The 2:00 pm weigh-in came quickly as dock-talk rumors spread claiming anglers were experiencing a day of bass-busting action! Not to mention the double-digit size Northern Pike that fell victim to anglers spinnerbaits!

When the scales were officially closed Massachusetts NEPVA Angler Rick Nelson and Maine's B.A.S.S. Federation angler Jeff Rafuse claimed top honors, as their five bass limit anchored with a 5.48 lb largemouth tipped the scales at 17.28 lbs.

An elated Rick Nelson exclaimed, "Our fifth bass weighed over 5lb, and was the tournament Largemouth Lunker! I was slow rolling a white spinnerbait tied to 10lb Power Pro line over a shallow rocky bottom when he inhaled it."

Without a net to land Nelson's Hawg, the NEPVA Angler kept the bass from jumping by utilizing his rods parabolic action under the watchful direction of partner and former Maine State Federation Champion Jeff Rafuse.

Sliding into second place with a five pound margin, Hannaford Supermarkets Toby Suttie and NEPVA Angler Don Candage carried 15.40 lbs of bass to the scales. Then the second place finishers returned to the scales with the tournament winning Northern Pike….A rod busting toothy-critter weighing over 11 lbs.

Rounding out the Top-Three Teams with a five bass limit weighing 10.33 lbs, was Triton Boats Heath Morris, Maine's B.A.S.S. Federation President, and his NEPVA partner Jamie Ricker. Morris and Ricker edged out Maine's Frank Perkins paired with NEPVA angler Mike Guilbault by a mere .61 lbs with their mixed bag of North Pond smallmouth and largemouth bass. However, Guilbault's 4.5 lb Smallmouth caught on a white spinnerbait tied to Power Pro line took Lunker Smallmouth honors in the Boaters Division!

NEPVA Anglers competing in the Bank Division venturing out unto North Pond via Pine Tree Camps pontoon boat found the bass to be just as cooperative. With a combined weight of smallmouth bass over 12 lbs, Karen Butler landed the Bank Division's Lunker Award with her 4.04 lb bronze-back beauty. Mike Hicks and Lorri Oaks also landed nice smallmouth bass weighing 3.4 lbs and 2.99 lbs respectively.

While all anglers enjoyed the evening's post-tournament dinner coupled with an awards ceremony, the Millennium Bassmasters made sure every NEPVA Angler received their share of prizes, all courtesy of Crown Royal.

With microphone in hand NEPVA Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine announced, "Thanks to Fred LeDrew we have established a strong tournament foundation here in Maine with the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation, but I'm sad to say that Fred and his lovely wife Elaine will not be participating in this event next year as they are moving to California." Instantly the room filled with applauds as Fred thanked all the anglers for their support, stating Heath Morris would be replacing him as the Maine Tournament Director.

God Bless and Best Bass'n

All NEPVA events are open to any individual with disabilities, veteran or non-veteran. For Information pertaining to the NEPVA Bass Trail contact Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine @ 1.781.935.2480, or visit the NEPVA web-site @ www.nepva.org