Caldwell crowned co-angler champion

Doug Caldwell shows off his first-place trophy after winning the Co-angler Division with a 4-pound, 12-ounce catch. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Doug Caldwell.

February 15, 2002 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Pennsylvania native captures first prize, check for $15,000

FLORENCE, Ala. – When Doug Caldwell came off the water during the final day of FLW competition, he knew his catch was good enough to take home a nice check. However, he didn’t imagine in his wildest dreams that his performance would be good enough to land him the prestigious title of FLW co-angler champion. But that’s exactly what happened.

“After I caught my third fish, I knew that I wouldn’t come in last place,” said Caldwell, who ultimately registered a three-fish catch weighing 4 pounds, 12 ounces to capture the title on Lake Wheeler. “And to tell you the truth, with the weight I had, you usually don’t win a tournament like this with 20 great fishermen involved. It really hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Although Caldwell’s performance steadily improved throughout the week, he said he didn’t have much confidence heading into the tournament.

“I pre-fished for three days and I didn’t catch one fish,” he said. “I told my partner that if I caught anything this entire tournament, I would be happy. But to win the whole thing and go home with a $15,000 check, it’s something I never even contemplated.”

Caldwell, who turned in his winning catch by fishing rattletraps in grass flats in approximately 4 feet of water, said that this was one of the biggest accomplishments of his career.

“I’m getting older, but the thrill is still there,” said Caldwell, a retired UPS manager. “This is what you fish for your whole life.”

Larry Dix of Bellavista, Ark., took second place and a won a check for $6,000 after registering a catch weighing 3 pounds, 10 ounces. Luke Smith of Eddyville, Ky., finished in third place with a catch of 2 pounds, 14 ounces.

Katsutoshi Furusawa of Tokoyo, Japan, finished the day in fourth place with a catch of 2 pounds, 13 ounces while Jim Short of Ocean Pines, Md., took the fifth spot with a catch of 2 pounds, 12 ounces.

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top 10 were Fred Hill (sixth) of Roxboro, N.C., with a catch of 2 pounds, 12 ounces; Armil Morgan (seventh) of Mineral Springs, Ark., with a catch of 2 pounds, 8 ounces; Don Harvey (eighth) of Franklin, Tenn., with a catch of 2 pounds; John Beason (ninth) of Jonesboro, Ark., with a catch of 1 pound, 15 ounces; and Glenn Miller (tenth) of Newborn, Ga., with a catch of 1 pound, 13 ounces.

Morgan, who netted a 6-pound, 14-ounce bass on the second day of competition, took home a check for $1,000 after winning the tournament’s Big Bass award.

FLW co-angler action resumes March 13-16 at Lake Ouachita in Mt. Ida, Ark.