"Mark Beauchesne of the New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife has been absolutely fantastic in supporting our first weekend long event," said Tiny LaFontaine as he escorted NEPVA anglers into Camp Robindel's dining hall for their "Free Registration Dinner and Lodging." Adding with an exhausted smile, "Our NEPVA Team Bass Tournament starts tomorrow morning with breakfast from 6-7 am, tournament briefing/pairings and weigh-in's 8am-2 pm followed by a BBQ, with an evening awards banquet coupled with dinner and dancing to Country music."

Sneaking in a quick cast comment, Soup's Campbell replied, "Let's not forget the Saturday Night bonfire and Sunday's skeet shooting with the New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife at the hunter education center either!"

At the pre-tournament meeting, American Eagle Bass Anglers president, Tiny LaFontaine stated; "I can't tell you how excited I am about this event and the support we have received from New England P.V.A. Sports Director, Mike Guilbault and National P.V.A. Assistant Tournament Director, Rusty Lathrop who has traveled from Oklahoma to join us for this tournament." Rusty received overwhelming applause of approval from the thirty-five registered NEPVA anglers and their boat partners.

Ranger Boat's B.A.S.S. Professional Angler Jon Rogers of New Hampshire was quick to add a major thank you to all the sponsors including Northern Bass Supply's Sandy Oja and her eager support of NEPVA's 2nd Annual Lake Winnipesaukee Team Bass Tournament.

"I can't believe this turn out, it's absolutely awesome", stated Peter Vellucci of the Mass B.A.S.S. Federation, as NEPVA partner's Kevin Hosier and Roel R. Behavides donned their life jackets taking up residence in Vellucci's bass boat for a day of team tournament competition.

Standing on Camp Robindel's docks glancing over the crowd, an array of activities flowed in synergized motion harmonized with laughter, shouting and teasing, yet accented with words of encouragement covered with praise.

Nam Knights Motorcycle Club of America ran their wheelchair valet service escorting NEPVA Anglers to their partners' bass boats, gently placing each angler comfortably into position for a day on the water. While, volunteers labeled and numbered each wheelchair to match each anglers' boat number for easy reference come weigh-in time, parking the chairs neatly at dockside.

As tournament emcee Sandy Oja called out boat numbers in numeric order for the official take-off in Moultonborough Bay, family members, friends, and supporters all cheered their favorite anglers with well-wishes, whistles and shout's of "Land that Lunker!"

A sense of pride and patriotism run up and down my spine that brought back memories of years gone by as I watched my good friend Pat O'Key, director of 'The Connecticut Angler' television show and his crew busy filming the NEPVA tournament for an upcoming documentary to be televised on ESPN this coming January. Quickly I realized how often we let the trivial things of life steer us away from those that are of real value and importance; Friends - Fishing - Fun!!! I was proud to be counted among those present for the American Eagle Bass Anglers NEPVA Team Bass Tournament.

With NEPVA bass anglers working on patterning a five bass limit, volunteers were busy assembling the weigh-in site. Setting up tents, tables, chairs, preparing for the afternoon "Cook-out" within the spacious Camp Robindel picnic grove, American Eagle Bass Anglers member Joe Petrillo commented, "Nate Greenfield's gracious donation of the Camp Robindel facility has made this tournament our best event to date."

One by one the teams made their way to the scales as Emcee Sandy Oja of Northern Bass Supply, called out each team's weight. Anglers were more than willing to share their patterns and if they seemed a bit reluctant, Sandy found a way to pry it out of them bringing laugher and smiles to the faces of contestants and fans alike.

When the scales were officially closed NEPVA anglers Jim Wallack, John Walls and boat-captain Kurt Damery won top honors with a five-bass limit weighing 14.42 lbs. "We caught most of our bass on Yamamoto Senko's, but my Lunker Largemouth (5.89lbs) came on a white spinnerbait out of shallow water," revealed Wallack as he and Wall's received their 1st place trophies and prizes during the awards banquet.

With microphone in hand addressing the audience, National PVA Assistant Tournament Director Rusty Lathrop announced, "This weekend I spent time traveling the area with Sandy Oja and Tiny Lafontaine, as well as discussing in detail National PVA tournament requirements with your NEPVA Sports Director Mike Guilbault. I'm elated to inform all NEPVA Bass Anglers; Robert Cartlidge the National PVA Tournament Director has officially requested Tiny and NEPVA bid to include Lake Winnipesaukee as a tournament site for the 2005 National PVA Bass Tournament Trail."

Under a shower of cheers, applause and wheelchair spins, Rusty Lathrop added, "Our National PVA Bass Champion, competes in the B.A.S.S. Federation National Championship for an opportunity to qualify for the CITGO Bassmaster Classic."

Without hesitation American Eagle Bass Anglers president Tiny LaFontaine grabbed the microphone and with tears in his eyes thanked everyone present for helping to make his bass-clubs dream come true. After five years of continued service the twelve member club's unselfish efforts had finally reached the pinnacle of Bass Tournament competition for Paralyzed and Disabled Bass Anglers.

Over twenty organizations helped sponsor the 2003 New England Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Tournament Trail, as others made donations and volunteered their time to make sure each event runs like clock work. There is no entry fee for any of the participating anglers, for generous sponsors of the tournament trail donate cash and prizes so that top-teams receive trophies and rod/reel combos, while all NEPVA Anglers go home with huge bags of tackle.

American Eagle Bass Anglers, thank you for allowing "THE BASS BUREAU" to take part in your New England P.V.A. Lake Winnipesaukee Team Bass Tournament.
God Bless and Best Bass'n.

For information pertaining to NEPVA involvement contact NEPVA at 1.800.660.1181, for tournament sponsorship/support call Tiny LaFontaine at 1.781.935.2266.

Woods & Waters USA Nov. 03
www.woodsandwatersusa.com