FLW China Kicks Off
Opening ceremonies and events a success
FLW China launched its inaugural six-tournament season in late March and is now one-third of the way toward determining its first-ever Costa FLW Series Championship qualifiers from the International Division.
An opening ceremony was held March 25, a day ahead of the two-day season-opener at Maniac Bass Base. In attendance were FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel and Vice President of Operations Dave Washburn.
“The first FLW China tournament was an incredible success,” says Washburn. “The facilities were first-class, and the lake was beautiful. The anglers caught quality bass despite difficult fishing conditions. Heavy rains just before the tournament turned the lake’s otherwise clear water into something resembling chocolate milk.”
Tournament partners HuiHui Dou of HuNan Province and Shi Hu of SiChuan Province claimed the first-place spot with 17.12 pounds, earning 300 Angler of the Year points.
The top six:
1. HuiHui Dou and Shi Hu – 17.12
2. YouYi Pan and XiaoYu Hu – 17.05
3. Gang Tang and KeFeng Dai – 16.95
4. YanYan He and Yao Wang – 15.00
5. Zheng Zhao and HangTao Guo – 14.28
6. Xi Wang and Zhong Wang – 14.25
FLW China stop No. 2 was held at Nan Sha Lake Bass Base April 23-24. The top spot went to Xi and Zhong Wang of Beijing, with 16.82 pounds.
The top six:
1. Xi Wang and Zhong Wang – 16.82
2. SongSong Han and Liang Xu – 13.38
3. Ke Tian and YuKe Chang – 13.09
4. HuiHui Dou and Shi Hu – 12.63
5. JueFei Xu and JunXu – 11.66
6. He Meng and YuHua Zou – 10.95
The next stop on the schedule is May 28-29 at Red Sea Bass base.
FLW China is the result of FLW’s new Costa FLW Series International Division. FLW has partnered with tournament organizations in four nations – South Korea, Canada, Mexico and China – to license its iconic brand. Those organizations host independent tournaments according to the standard bass tournament format in use by FLW. Each nation will qualify a boater and co-angler for the 2016 Costa FLW Series Championship on Table Rock Lake. The highest-finishing International Division boater at the Championship earns a spot at the 2017 Forrest Wood Cup.
“FLW China is building a solid foundation for what promises to be a thriving market in years to come by offering anglers the very best events and media coverage plus the opportunity to advance to the Forrest Wood Cup,” adds Washburn.
NEWS: Take a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour and fishing trip in China
For interested fishing fans, FLW China is arranging a tour of China for FLW members, complete with a once-in-a-lifetime bass-fishing experience. Details to come, but interested parties can contact Joyce Cai at [email protected] for more information.
Photos from FLW China Tournament #1
Photos from FLW China Tournament #2
