The New England Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Trail (www.nepva.org) will celebrate its 10^th Year Anniversary in 2008, but the question circling Tournament Director Tiny LaFontaine is, “Can 2008 be any more rewarding than the trails 2007 season?” Although every year seems to have been a growth period, 2007 was indeed a year to remember, as the NEPVA Bass Trail was recognized as one of the regions top competitively organized bass trails in New England.  Thereby qualifying it’s top competitors to compete in two major season ending New England Regional Tournament of Champion competitions on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire.

Sandra Oja of Northern Bass Supply (www.northernbass.com) as well as Marine USA, Inc. Nitro National Team member Johnny Nee (www.MarineUSAinc.com) have been involved with the regions most competitive and respected bass trails for many years. In 2007 Ranger Boats and Evinrude outboards teamed up with Northern Bass Supply’s Team Tournament Trail offering the trails top angling teams the opportunity to win a Ranger/Evinrude Bass Boat during the Northern Bass Supply October 6-7^th Tournament of Champions.

“Thirty-five teams qualified for the Northern Bass TOC and four of those slots belonged to our Top-4 New England PVA Anglers and our Top-4 NEPVA Boat Captains,” says LaFontaine. According to LaFontaine, the opportunity to register for the NBS TOC required NEPVA Angler/Boat Captains interested to pay an entry fee and compete in a minimum number of NEPVA seasonal tournaments. “I was overwhelmed to say the least when fourteen of our paralyzed veterans anglers signed up to complete, and eight boat captains originally registered.”

While the Northern Bass Supply TOC was a “Pay to Play” Tournament of Champions requiring each qualifying team to pay an additional entry fee of $125.00, Marine USA, Inc.’s proprietor Marc Tsourides teamed with Nitro/Mercury Professional Angler Johnny Nee organized their unique ‘Entry Fee FREE’ Tournament of Champions event around every major tournament trail throughout New England, including the Northern Bass Supply Trail, Bassmaster and FLW Outdoors tournaments!

“Nitro/Tracker Marine and Mercury Marine really came forward ‘Big Time’ in support of our event and the regional champions,” says Tsourides. (www.trackermarine.com, www.mercurymarine.com). Calling their Marine USA, Inc October 14^th event the ‘Champions Challenge’, individual anglers and teams qualified through a variety of venues. “Marine USA, Inc has been the #1 Nitro/Mercury Dealer in the World for seven consecutive years, and this in part is due to their support of the regions bass anglers and the many outstanding tournament trails held in New England,” added Nee.

According to LaFontaine Marine USA, Inc chose the Charles River and the Connecticut River ‘Salute to American Veterans’ NEPVA Tournaments as qualifiers for their ‘Champions Challenge’. “I honestly believe that many people were quite surprised when they witnessed the angling abilities of our New England Paralyzed Veterans Bass Trail Anglers.”

As October foliage turned to brilliant hues of autumn gold, four New England PVA Bass Trail Teams converged upon Lake Winnipesaukee on consecutive weekends. Teamed together for the NBS TOC by their individual seasonal placement, NEPVA BFL All American Champion Larry Harris and Top Boat Captain Greg Mazur claimed the lead position, Boat Captain Gary Clawson and NEPVA BFL Contender Rick Nelson were second, with Nitro Boat Captain Bob Hegi and NEPVA BFL Contender Dave Sawyer in third followed by Boat Captain Frank Broome and NEPVA Angler Ray Clary.

“This was definitely a test of our NEPVA Anglers ability and physical stamina,” says Team Captain Mazur. Adding,“ Not only were we competing with the top anglers in the northeast, complying to a rigid tournament schedule, we were also in a two-day championship!”

The conclusion of the NBS two-day TOC filtered a newly established respect and understanding of just what it means to be a competitive tournament bass angler. Although each team managed to make the weigh-in stage each day, they also witnessed the importance of pre-fishing and tournament strategy. “Watching several other teams compete in the same areas as my partner and I, brought to light the importance of working as a team and assisting one another as quickly as possible,” replied NEPVA Angler Larry Harris.

NEPVA Angler Rick Nelson and his partner Gary Clawson pre-planed their techniques based around Rick’s ability to only fish from the passenger seat. “With Rick in the passenger seat, I had him monitoring our central sonar unit for suspending bass and schools of bait fish, while I worked the front deck.” Clawson and Nelson may not have won the NBS TOC but their tournament strategy, allowed them to weigh-in a limit of bass each day claiming 1^st Place among the four NEPVA Teams. 

“Where as the NBS TOC consisted only of anglers competing on the NBS Trails, the Champions Challenge included anglers from the most elite bass trails in New England. In fact there were Bassmaster Classic Qualifiers, Professional Bass Anglers, State and Regional Federation Champions at this event,” claims LaFontaine.

NEPVA Angler Larry Harris claimed the NEPVA Angler of the Year titled catapulting him into the Champions Challenge as the #1 NEPVA Angler, while Rick Nelson’s victory on the Charles River edged out NEPVA Angler Joe Slattery and NEPVA National Champion Jim Wallack claimed the final NEPVA position.

“I honestly feel having competed the weekend before allowed me to better prepare for this event, by making the right adjustments to my angling techniques,” claims Larry Harris. With fifty teams competing for the grand prize, a Nitro 591 powered by a Mercury Outboard valued at over $25,000.00, and only the top-10 receiving awards, the Champions Challenge was a swing for the fences event.

Extreme cold front and rainy conditions hampered many anglers’ spirits, as one-by-one teams registered empty livewells. However, when the scales were officially closed, every NEPVA Team managed to weigh-in bass with NEPVA Angler of the Year Larry Harris and his Boat Captain Armand Fortier carrying the only limit of bass to the scales among the four NEPVA Teams. “Our NEPVA Anglers may not have placed in the Top-10 positions at either of the TOC Championships, but they certainly branded a respect and appreciation for their competitive abilities and sportsmanship attitudes on the hearts of New England’s Top Bass Anglers,” replied Tiny LaFontaine.

With a bass-eating grin on his face LaFontaine looked me straight in the eyes, smiled and replied, “Our 2008 scheduled will include a major trip to Plattsburgh, New York in July! Paired with the FLW Outdoors Stren Series Bass Pro’s our Veteran NEPVA Anglers will compete on Lake Champlain for the very first time!” According to LaFontaine there will a regional and national Press Release detailing the event and the weeklong itinerary.

God Bless and Best Bass’n

Sidebar: 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 Tiny LaFontaine, or visit NEPVA @ www.nepva.org

Bill Decoteau is an outdoor journalist with a strong passion for pursuing the Black Bass. His activities include covering and photographing professional bass trails, the New England Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Trail, as well as emceeing benefit tournaments. Bill is also the host of the television series THE BASS BUREAU…..Where the Road meets the Water.