Lake Winnipesaukee, NH Tournament Results

Sept. 16, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH: As anglers arrived for Friday evening's registration, volunteers from the Nam Knight Motor Cycle Club of America (www.namknightsnh.com) escorted them to their assigned cabins, then back to Camp Robindel's dinning hall for a relaxing meal, before Professional Bass Angler Pete Gluszek entertained all the anglers with his Evinrude Outboard Bass Fishing Seminars. "I am extremely amassed at the questions these paralyzed and disabled anglers asked," replied Gluszek. "I'm anxious to see how they compete on the water tomorrow in the tournament!"

There was no need to blow the bugle for rising call come Saturday morning! When the dinning room doors opened at 6:00am for the morning breakfast and Tournament Pairings, prior to the 8:00 am take-off, NEPVA Anglers were already lined up and eager to see who would get the lucky draw to be paired with either Ranger/Evinrude Champion Pete Gluszek or FLW Ranger/Evinrude Pro Jess Caraballo.

With a warm breakfast in their stomachs, hot coffee in their hands, and their fishing tackle at their wheelchair sides, NEPVA Anglers listened as their names were called out pairing them with volunteer New Hampshire TBF Boat Captains (www.nhbassfederation.com). One by one Nam Knights escorted the wheelchair anglers to the docks, where they were loaded into their partners' bass boats, given a bagged lunch, and then left in three flights with a staggered return for the 2:00 pm weigh-in.

NEPVA Angler Jim Wallack of Derry, NH, was paired with Evinrude/Ranger Pro Pete Gluszek, while Connecticut's Korean War Veteran Neil Johnson drew Pro Angler Jess Caraballo. "All of our thirty-two NEPVA Anglers have been paired with a Boat Captain, while eight NEPVA Anglers have been assigned to one of two pontoon boats registered in our Bank/Pontoon Division," informed NEPVA Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine, as he and Nam Knights New Hampshire President Ray "Hunter Brunelle were interviewed by local media.

On site to cover the NEPVA Lake Winnipesaukee event were media representatives from the Concord Monitor, Granite State News, The Baysider, as well as the Lakes Region Sunday Citizen. "Our tournaments are totally free to all our disabled anglers, but we exist only through the generous donations of our sponsors, it is indeed wonderful to see that the media is now recognizing our efforts," said Bob 'Soupy' Campbell.

"I am extremely impressed as to the coordination of this event, but the excitement of watching the Nam Knights help our veterans into the boats, as well as the positive attitudes of these NEPVA Bass Trail Anglers is second to none!" remarked Adam Drapcho of the Baysider Newspaper.

Anglers seemed to be concentrating on weedlines loaded with baitfish for largemouths, while off shore rocks, boulders and humps with submerged tapering points produced Lake Winnie's Bronze Backs. "I can not remember ever having such wonderful weather," remarked Gary Clawson, the NEPVA New Hampshire Liaison, as he and partner Dave Sawyer worked on establishing a five-bass team limit.

Camp Robindel's weigh-in site was set-up with synchronized precision for the 2:00pm weigh-ins. A host of volunteers prepared for the FREE Weigh-in Cookout, as Nam Knight Members retrieved NEPVA Anglers wheelchairs, unloading each angler and then helping them to the weigh-in site. Chef's filled the air with an aroma of BBQ chicken, hotdogs, and hamburgers greeting each arriving team with plenty of food for everyone!

With all NEPVA Anglers out of their partners boats and escorted to the weigh-in site, tournament Celebrity Emcee and Day Time Movie Star Real Andrews, called Boater Division Teams to the scales in numeric order by groups of five. A crowd of over two-hundred gathered around the weigh-in scales cheering on each team as they held up their bass for pictures. "It looks as though only Nitro's Ron Kerswell and NEPVA's Dave Sawyer may hit double digits for a five-bass limit today," voiced Andrews as he waited for the final five boats to come to the scales.

As the final five teams lined up at the dip tanks, roamers spread like wild fire about one huge bag coming to the scales! "This is going to be a battle of ounces," said weigh-master Larry 'Bags' Batignani as he announced 3.68lb for Lauri Oaks Smallmouth Lunker. "Folks we have a new Smallmouth Lunker leader, and it is very possible that we may also have a new tournament leader," replied Real Andrews.

As Boat Captain Paul Gelinas and Lauri Oaks waited for their lively bass to settle on the scales, Emcee Andrews asked Lauri Oaks if she thought they had enough weight to take the lead! A smiling Oakes quickly answered, "Yes we do!" When the weigh-master shouted out 11.62 lbs, the crowd went crazy shouting cheers of praise for the new leaders.

"Paul I understand that you are also the 2005 Lake Winnie Champion, can you give us a little insight on your tournament tactics today?" questioned Andrews. "It was all Lauri today," replied Gelinas. "Lauri not only caught our Smallmouth Lunker she also placed four of our five-bass limit in the livewell with her Yamamoto Senko tactics!" (www.baits.com) Nitro's Ron Kerswell and NEPVA Angler Joe Slattery of Connecticut slid into second place claiming hand crafted wooded plaques with a five-bass limit of 10.25lb. While only .25lbs behind them in third place was first time Boat Captain Matt Breach and NEPVA Angler Tom Blanchard. "Joe's 3.58lb Lunker largemouth anchored our second place finish,' voiced Kerswell as they smiled for pictures. Bank Division Top honors went to NEPVA Angler Kevin Lemoine, of New Hampshire, who out distanced seven other contestants in his division.

During the evening banquet and awards ceremonies, Nam Knights proudly presented NEPVA Chapter President Ken Mederios with a check bringing their 2006 fund raising total to $10,000. Then, representatives from the Londonderry, NH Ride-Away Handicap Equipment Company presented NEPVA Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine and Mederios a check for $1,000.00 announcing their commitment as a sponsor to the NEPVA Bass Trail.

After tears, hand shakes, brotherly hugs and repeated 'Thank You's', NEPVA Anglers, Boat Captains, Volunteers, Nam Knights and family members kicked off their shoes and danced the night away, as music filled the air and fireworks went off over Lake Winnipesaukee!

Sitting by the Camp Robindel fireplace with Pro Angler Pete Gluszek, who by the way finished in the Top-Ten, the Ranger/Evinrude Angler was smiling from ear-to-ear. "This tournament coupled with its format for the disabled anglers is simply awesome. I am going to try and make this an annual event!"

God Bless and Best Bass'n

All Photo Credit: Bill Decoteau/THE BASS BUREAU

All NEPVA Bass Trail Tournaments are totally FREE to ALL participates. 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 call 1.800.660.1181 or visit NEPVA @ www.nepva.org