Bass Tournament Results

"We ran into some logistic problems, however John Candelmo, Rhode Islands TBF Vice President, some how managed to assemble a team of RI Federation volunteers and organized the entire event with just three weeks notice," said an elated Tiny LaFontaine, tournament director for the NEPVA Bass Trail! Hosted by Rhode Islands FLW/TBF Federation, anglers representing Rhode Island's FLW/TBF and B.A.S.S. Federation Nation partnered in assembling one of the most extravagant events in the NEPVA's nine-year history. With a roster totaling twenty-two registered paralyzed veteran anglers, Rhode Island federation anglers were paired with members of the New England Paralyzed Veterans of American Bass Trail in a random drawing filling the quota by volunteering their time as Team Boat Captains for a friendly day of competitive bass fishing! According to TBF Federation President Joe Cinguegravo, the two federations pool their resources when it comes to helping organizations such as the NEPVA. “Rhode Island's The Bass Federation (TBF) and the BASS Federation Nation may complete for tournament lakes and permits, membership as well as sponsorship dollars, however when it comes to opportunities within the Ocean State of Rhode Island that are beneficial to others such as the NEPVA, we have collectively pulled our resources together as one to get the job done!” adding, "Rhode Island BASS Federation Nation President Roy Costa, is to be commented for helping to fill our quota of needed volunteer Boat Captains on such a short notice!"

“There is no doubt had it not been for the dedicated members of both federations, we would not have had enough Boat Captains for all of our Boater Division NEPVA Anglers,” says Tiny LaFontaine. “Our Bass Trail is the number one sporting event for the New England PVA (www.nepva.org), with its Free Entry Fee the Bass Trail continues to grow with every tournament event! The addition of the Rhode Island event gives us representation in five of the six New England States!" Early morning registration coupled with coffee and donuts, compliments of Erikson's Bait & Tackle, seemed to sooth the air as laughter and newly assigned teams began heckling each other claiming bragging rights before the tournament even started. Members from the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club of America representing the White Mountain NH Chapter (www.nknewhampshire.com) teamed with the Boston Nam Knight Chapter (www.namknightsboston.org) transferring the Paralyzed Veterans into their partners’ bass boats. The uniqueness of Rogers Williams Park is the trolling motor only rule, while the pathways and roads surrounding the ponds allow spectators to actually enjoy the tournament while sitting on park benches. As teams of anglers were witnessed landing bass, Rhode Islands Hot Rod Clubs circled the ponds demonstrating their support to both the New England Paralyzed Veterans as well as hosting a ‘Toy’s for Tot’s’ collection.

Ole School Hot Rod enthusiast and NEPVA Board member Bob “Soupy’ Campbell stole the Hot Rod show with his orange colored roadster, and Rhode Island’s own Harley-Hogster, Cappy owner of Cappy’s Cycle Center and his Chopper Crew revved up their V-Twins HD Engines riding side-by-side with Boston’s Nam Knight’s on a tour of Roger Williams Park, before Cappy volunteered his time assisting weigh-master Tiny LaFontaine. (www.cappyscyclecenter.com) With three cameras rolling the Angler Productions cable television fishing series THE BASS BUREAU, found each Rhode Island Federation Boat Captain paired with their NEPVA Anglers instant TV Celebrities as camera shyness seemed to be vacant in every boat. “We have some very exciting coverage on the water, and the beautiful foliage surrounding the ponds will only enhance our show," reflected cameraman Paul Gauvin as the Angler Productions crew setup for the 'Drive-thru-Weigh-in' parade. Lead by John ‘Maddog’ Scanlon and his Marine Corp Escort Flag Truck, the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club of America (www.namknights.org) joined with bikers representing Cappy’s Cycle Center and over thirty-five of Rhode Island’s Custom Hot Rods, paraded through Roger Williams Park followed by every volunteer Boat Captains tow vehicle and bass rig. “This is the most amazing drive-thru bass fishing tournament weigh-in I have ever seen,” voiced Russ Thetonia, Northeast Events coordinator for C.A.S.T. for Kids (jrussellthetonia@castforkids.org) Snapping photos, as an escort of military vehicle representation, Nam Knight Motorcyclist, Harley Davidson and Buell Motorcycles, Antique Hot-Rods and West Coast Hydraulic Funny Cars saluted and blew their horns, as they passed by the official weigh-in stage, Thetonia replied, “No where have I ever witness such enthusiastic community involvement! This is equal to a professional bass tournament, and the excitement on the faces of these paralyzed veteran anglers and their partners waving to the crowd as their names are announced arriving the weigh-in stage, then holding up their bass is overwhelming!”

With the leaders’ board seeming to be changing hands as every other team weighed in, it finally leveled out when Mike Broggi Jr. paired with NEPVA Angler Todd Tu heard Weigh Master Tiny LaFontaine call out their three-bass weight of 5.07 lbs! However, their lead lasted as long as it took Rhode Island’s Scott Balasco and his NEPVA partner Ray “The Big Indian” Clary” to reach the scales! “Folks we have a new leader, with 7.67 lbs,” announced LaFontaine. “Anchored with the tournaments Largemouth Lunker, tipping the scales at 5.41 lbs.”

Rhode Island’s own Alan Jackson and NEPVA seasoned Veteran Angler Mike ‘Rollin Gibo’ Guilbault added a little bit of Country music ‘Blues’ to Broggi Jr and Tu’s total weight, as their four-bass limit of 6.05 lbs claimed second place dropping Broggi and Tu into a third place tournament finish.
As teams made their way to receive their prizes, each revealed an over zealous interest in continuing the Rhode Island NEPVA Team Bass Tournament on the scenic waters of Roger Williams Park. Bass patterns appeared to be almost identical with each team. Black/blue jigs rigged with a variety of plastic trailers and Yamamoto Senko’s out numbered most baits of choice. A few anglers were witnessed landing bass on both crankbaits and soft plastic jerkbaits.

Posing for pictures, while spilling the beans on their winning pattern, Scott Balasco just laughed, when ‘Big Indian’ Ray Clary started a Pow-Wow song, praising Gary Yamamoto for his sponsorship to the NEPVA Bass Trail. “I have never in my life caught so many bass, nor have I had so much confidence in one bait as I do the Senko! Scott caught our Lunker on a Senko first thing this morning, and thanks to Yamamoto Custom Baits I qualified for the NBS Tournament of Champions!”

As the awards presentation concluded, everyone was treated to delicious Pizza from “Off the Wall Pizza & Pub, while refreshing cold soft drinks compliments of Coca Cola were enjoyed as 50’s music, Hot Rod Engines and the sound of patented Harley Davidson exhaust pipes echoed throughout Roger Williams Park.

The New England Paralyzed veterans of America Bass Trail would like to thank the following sponsors for their continued support throughout the 2007 Tournament season and success of the 1st Annual Rhode Island NEPVA Team Bas Tournament; Rhode Island TBF and liaison John Candelmo, volunteer Boat Captains from both the TBF and the BASS Nation Federations, Off the Wall Pizza & Pub, Dave Bergis and Thomas Hunt of Coca Cola, Erickson’s Bait & tackle, Cappy’s Cycle Center, J.J. Trucking, Marine USA, Inc (www.marineusainc.com), FLW’s Dave Simmons (www.flwoutdoors.com), Yamamoto Custom Baits (www.baits.com), Mark Shealy of Shakespeare Fishing Products (www.shakespeare-fishing.com), Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club (www.namknights.org), John ‘Maddog’ Scanlon and his Marine Escort Flag Truck and all of the NEPVA Staff and volunteers.
 

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 the NEPVA office @ 1.800.660.1181 or visit their web site www.nepva.org.




All Photo Credit; Billy "Hawkeye" Decoteau's THE BASS BUREAU