Montana team wins western divisional

Competing against top anglers from across the West on the waters of Utah's Lake Powell, a team of Montana fishermen won the Western Divisional BASS tournament for the first time.

The 12-man team, which includes several anglers from the Flathead Valley, combined for the heaviest haul of small- and largemouth bass during the three-day tournament that ended May 11.

"I've been to nine divisionals and this is the best we've done," said Ed Kennedy of Echo Lake.

Trout Creek angler Stan Fisher said he has been to about 20 divisional tournaments.

"I've probably been to more than anybody, and this was probably the worse I've done, but I contributed to the team and the team did great," he said.

The Montana team is made up of the top 10 point-winners from four Montana Bass Federation tournaments in 2006, along with the first- and second-place finishers at last year's state tournament.

The team went up against top anglers from 11 western states, including California and Arizona that have dominant bass fisheries.

"Montana has some good waters, but those states are known for bass," Kennedy said.

"We had a really good team down there," said Whitefish angler Leroy Starling, who was competing in his first divisional tournament.

Starling said when he moved to Montana seven years ago from Florida, he didn't think of it as a bass fishing state. He started fishing for bass about four years ago and entered Montana Bass Federation events for the first time last year.

He is ranked third so far in this year's federation tournaments, giving him a good chance to qualify for next year's divisional Bass Anglers Sportsman's Society western divisional tournament.

The top angler for the Montana team was Ben Schilling, a Post Falls, Idaho, resident who regularly competes in Montana Bass Federation tournaments.

Schilling came in third out 127 anglers with a haul of 15 fish weighing in at 33 pounds. The top finisher, Jeff Guerrette of Glendale, Ariz., finished with 15 fish weighing 38 pounds, 9 ounces.

"The key to success for our team was that we had team meetings each night and everyone told everyone what they were catching their fish on and what to do," Schilling said. "That paid off big time for us."

Lake Powell is a 266-square-mile reservoir that stretches for 186 miles in the red rock canyons behind Glen Canyon Dam.

While there's a lot of water for anglers to cover, Fisher said most competitors are familiar with the best spots on the lake. And they are getting

around on bass boats that can top 80 mph.

"That shrinks that lake up a lot," he said. "There aren't any secrets out there any more. Everybody knows where all the good holes are. You just pay attention."

The Montana team won a $32,000 Trident fishing boat. Kennedy said the boat belongs to the Montana Bass Federation, and will likely be sold, with the federation getting half the proceeds and the 12 team members dividing the other half.

Kennedy said the federation supports fishing conservation and habitat enhancement programs as well as programs that promote the sport. Those events include casting competitions for youths, and "kids qualifier" tournaments.

A qualifier will be held July 14 and 15 on Echo Lake. Participants must be members of the local Kids Bass Club. For more information on the club, contact Mark Newman at 756-3191. For information on Montana Bass Federation events, contact Tim Johnston at 249-7986.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at [email protected]