Wal-Mart FLW Tour
Pickwick Lake, Florence, Ala.
Opening round, Wednesday
Alabama Clay … Today’s weigh-in marked the Wal-Mart FLW Tour debut of Alabama pro Clay Dyer, and unlike 58 other pros, he caught a fish. His 2-pound, 1-ounce catch may have been unremarkable, but the angler himself is far from unremarkable, as he has spent his life confined to a wheelchair without arms or legs. “I know when they see a man with no fingers running a boat 70 mph, they’ve got to wonder,” Dyer joked about his co-angler partners. The good-humored Dyer is an inspiration to everyone, as he has taught himself the art of angling despite considerable obstacles – and without any special equipment. “It took the better part of 27 years,” Dyer said when asked how long it took him to perfect the art of casting. He’ll turn 28 this year. … Making his FLW Tour debut all the sweeter is that it’s taking place on his home waters, meaning he put extra pressure on himself to bring in some fish, even when Pickwick is fishing extremely tough. “Considering this is my home lake, I was going to kick myself in the rear end all the way home if I didn’t bring in a fish,” he said. His one bass was caught on the last cast, causing him to run around “like a wild Indian” to make it back by check-in time. “I didn’t get any practice time,” Dyer said. “I know a lot about this lake, and it’s tough right now.”
Close call … Pro Tom Monsoor is a lucky man. The Wisconsin river rat was prefishing the tournament when his friend Karen Savik asked if she could practice with him on Sunday because her lower unit wasn’t functioning. That request would turn out to be a life-saver. “We were up by the dam in the current,” he said, noting the presence of rocks. “We were standing up fishing and floating down, and there was a rock pile.” Monsoor said he thought he knew where the rocks were in the area and was taking the necessary precautions, but he didn’t see this pile coming. The boat hit the rocks, and the rest almost made Monsoor history. “It spun the boat around like a bullet,” he said. “I kept going down the river with the current. I had on all these clothes because it was cold, and I could feel myself getting heavier and heavier. I was sinking slowly.” With his lower unit now botched as well, Monsoor called to Savik in his crippled boat. “I said, `You’d better get that boat over here fast, or I’m not going to make it.'” Savik navigated the vessel through the rocks and saved her good friend’s life. “I climbed the trolling motor like a squirrel,” he said. “It was an eye-opener. If I had been alone, I’d have been dead.” … Monsoor ended the day in 29th with two bass that weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces.
Tough bite … Pickwick is being a little stingy with its bass this week, and the local favorites are not immune to the curse. Jonathan Newton of Rogersville, Ala., was the highest local pro to weigh in, and he ended day one in 51st with three bass weighing 5 pounds, 8 ounces. “I knew it was going to be tough,” he said. “I decided to fish down here today even though I don’t like to fish Pickwick when it’s low.” … Some big-name anglers didn’t even cross the stage today, including Luke Clausen, who won the Bassmaster Classic just three days ago. Two anglers performing well, though, are Anthony Gagliardi and Brennan Bosley, who finished first and second, respectively, at the previous tournament on Lake Murray. Bosley is currently in second place while Gagliardi ended day one in 13th.
Million-dollar babies … When David Dudley won the FLW Tour Championship in 2003, his son Mason had just been born, and Dudley said then that he and his wife planned to have a full house. Now, not even three years later, they’re well on their way. Mason was soon followed by a little sister, Anna, and baby brother Vance is a newborn. Then, with three children under 3 in their house, including brand-new baby Vance, the Dudleys took on a baby foster child. “I’ve got four in diapers,” Dudley said. “We’re hoping for 10.” … Dudley is one of the few anglers with FLW Outdoors earnings in excess of $1 million, helped greatly by his lucrative championship and Ranger M1 victories. However, four kids and a wife have quickly taught Dudley just how far money does – or doesn’t – go. “I may have to go flip burgers at McDonald’s,” he said.
Girl power … A familiar face sits atop today’s co-angler leaderboard – Judy Israel, perennial contender and the first woman to earn an FLW Tour victory. She ended day one at the season’s first event in the top 10, though she ultimately finished 26th, and she scored a top-10 finish at last month’s event on Lake Murray. With a day-one catch of 13-13 that handily topped the 83 co-anglers who caught fish, Israel is looking to score a second-consecutive final-round finish. “I have so much passion, and it shows in my fishing,” she said. “My heart is burning, and I’m ready to go.” … In the familial big-bass contest, Judy emerged victorious over her husband, Abbie, who weighed in a 5-pound, 15-ouncer and ended the day in 13th. Judy’s own big bass weighed in at 6 pounds. “I have to see if I beat Abbie or not,” she said when she weighed in the bass.
Quick numbers:
20: Number of limits caught on day one – by both pros and co-anglers.
225: Number of anglers, out of 400, who weighed in fish today.
6-5: Weight, in pounds and ounces, of the heaviest bass brought in today, caught by co-angler Matt Scheipeter.
3-14: Rob Kilby’s lead over No. 2 Bosley, in pounds and ounces.
Sound bites:
“I grew up fishing the Ohio River, which is the worst fishery in the world, so that’s not the smallest limit I ever caught.” – Pro Jason Knapp, who brought in five fish today, but his limit only weighed 4 pounds, 13 ounces.
“I told myself if I got one keeper today, I’d go get a dozen donuts.” – Co-angler Rob Newell, whose one-bass catch today bodes well for the Florence Krispy Kreme.
“It took about three days.” – Lake Murray champ Gagliardi, on how long it took for his lucrative victory to sink in.
“It’s been so long I already forgot.” – Local favorite William Davis, when asked how he caught his one bass.
“I can’t wait for you to move your hand.” – Scheipeter to emcee Keith Lebowitz, as he anxiously awaited to find out how much his big bass weighed.
“I’d like to win this tournament.” – Veteran David Fritts, when asked if there’s anything he has not yet accomplished in his illustrious career.
Tomorrow’s takeoff is scheduled to take place at 7 a.m. Central time at McFarland Park, located on James M. Spain Drive in Florence, Ala.