It's Classic Time!

On the Monday before the club's weekend Classic at Lake Champlain, it's no longer suprising to hear of a few guys already heading up to start their practice period. In fact, one member at least has already been up there since last week and a few others practiced this past weekend. Personally, I am looking forward to going up Wednesday morning and wish I had another day or two on the big body of water.

In the early Classic days twenty years ago, most members went up Friday morning, some perhaps Thursday night, and only got in one day of practice but over the past 8 or 9 years, more and more guys are using the Classic as a chance to get away for some nice vacation time relaxing and doing what we all love to do...drink...um...I mean fish! Undoubtedly, there will be a tad bit of beer consumed over the next week, however, more importantly, there will be loads of stories told while sitting arounf the cabins with a bunch of great fellow fisherman.

It seems like every year, someone else steps up and Steve Rusert is the only angler to score more than one victory on the southern part of the lake. Who will it be this time around? If I were betting, I'd say that this year will see another first time Classic Champ. My money would be on either Billy Vella, who just always catches nice bags of fish and who needs to be the anchor for his team as the team captain. The other one to watch, Jason Mordhorst, who is one of the best slop fishermen in the club and always seems to score at least one big day up there in the mess. This year, I think he puts two good days together and watch out! Team Hayden appears stacked on paper and one would think John got to pick his team before anyone else selected. Can they live up to the hype, we shall see, but I would suspect the team weights to be much closer than expected and I'd say the margin of victory will be less than 5 pounds.

To those members who cannot make it this year, we'll miss you up there.....I'll personally try to catch a few in your honor....

Mark

USO Event is really shaping up!

At the end of September, the Bergen Bassmasters and specifically the chairman, Nick Albano, have organized a benefit tournament for the USO. The event will be held on the Hudson River out of Catskill and is expected to field between 60 and 75 boats, possibly more. With sponsors such as the USO, Orange County Choppers, Daiwa, North Jersey Marine, Keitech, the TBF, and the National Guard, among many others, this event is shaping up to be more than just a simple, club run event. It has the makings of a huge and memorable tournament.

Each participant will receive gift packs from a few sponsors and the payouts are expected to be more than 140% of the purse collected due to additional sponsor contributions. In addition, prizes such as Daiwa reels, Optimax batteries, Rangerwear gift certificates, will all be awarded in addition to the cash payouts. Orange County Choppers is sponsoring two sizable lunker payouts. The National Guard is expected to assist with boat check and parking and Nick is doing a fantastic job coordinating even the smallest of details. The weigh-in will take place aboard the huge National TBF trailer and we're trying to get as much media coverage as possible.

In addition to the event, there is also a raffle going on for a Day with a Pro where you have an opportunity to pair up with such name top pros as Pete Gluszek, Mike Iaconelli, and Terry Baksay! Tickets are being sold at numerous tackle shops and locatiosn all over the tri-state area.
The tournament will be limited so don't wait to register, we already have a few teams signed up and word has it that a few clubs plan on their entire membership participating! Information is available on this website just below this blog link.