Farmville Wrap-Up Article

Mothers Day Muddy Water Challenge!

The trail has been plagued by muddy water this season and at this stop it was no different, but we decided that since it wasn’t at dangerous levels we were going to fish with however many anglers were willing to get out there and give it a go! Once again kayak fisherman got onto the water and proved that you can catch fish in less than ideal conditions and of course in this case it will allow you to take home a brand new kayak!

Appomattox River Company hosted the event and on Friday evening the anglers hung out and even had a chance to play a little cornhole while they waited for the pre-tournament meeting to begin (Thanks to Jason Walters and Winston Trice!). The sponsors tables and products were on display as always and anglers and Appomattox customers alike got a chance to check out some of the latest and greatest kayak fishing boats and gear.

On tournament day the weather was beautiful and the fish did cooperate for all competitors, despite the muddy water! We had no youth or ladies in this competition so we’ll pass up on the “Paddle & Trail” Young River Basser Division and the Top Female award and get straight to the Kokatat Team Divisiom.

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Kokatat Team Division Results

Four brave souls entered the team division – Jason Walters, Winston Trice, Bill Kohls and Drew Haerer . When it all shook out it was Haerer and Kohls that took the title with a hand full of nice smallmouth bass. Their strategy was to target a bigger river despite the high water because they knew they just needed 3 or 4 fish to take the title and typically the larger fish will be caught in these larger waters. However, the larger river was also the highest, level wise, so it was a gamble, but it paid off as they ended up with 62.5 inches to extend past Trice and Walters who came in with 53 inches and opted to fish smaller water. Trice and Walters caught more total fish in the clearer water they fished, but the gamble to go big and only catch a few fish really paid off for Haerer and Kohls, since Haerer’s kicker smallmouths at 18.5 and 18.75 respectively were the difference on this day.

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Aqua Bound Individual Angler Division

Drew Haerer and Aaron Dryden battled it out on a tough day of fishing, but in the end Drew Haerer ended up with the kicker smallmouth it took to win this stop. As mentioned in the team division it was a gamble of big water versus the more “sure thing” bite and clear water in the smaller streams. Aaron landed more fish on this day, but as you know the River Bassin Trail is not about the most fish but the biggest three! Drew scored a 13 inch smallmouth followed by an 18.5 and 18.75 inch fish giving him a total of 50.25 inches. Aaron’s best bet was if Drew didn’t get a limit of three fish but Aaron still had a great event finishing second and getting a great Kokatat PFD and earning big points in the River Basser of the Year race.

Drew Haerer receiving his winning prize, a Jackson Kayak Coosa, from Tom and Bob of Appomattox River Company.

Following Drew and Aaron was Jason Walters (34 inches), Winston Trice (30) and Bill Kohls (25.25) who all did well to catch fish and will also earn some nice RBOY points to spearhead their efforts to become the 2011 River Basser of the Year at the tournament in Roanoke, VA. Drew also won the NuCanoe Big Fish Award with his beautiful 18.75 inch smallmouth which will also give him an additional 5 RBOY points. To see the current RBOY points, click here.

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Big Fish Award