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Farmer Lions Club
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2009
Farmer Lions Host 55 Boats in Annual Memorial
April 25, 2009
Members of the Farmer Lions Club turned out in force on Saturday, April 25th at Badin's Fish Tales Marina and Grill on the very north end of the lake, and so did the anglers as 55 boats with two per boat hit the waters at 7 AM. The occasion was the Lions Club Annual Spring Tournament and Delk Memorial event and the weather cooperated for the first time in weeks.
Like its sister tournament near the end of October, the tournament allows an eight fish limit and pays out the first four places. Bass fishermen from across the region have found the event a must-do and this season's event was no disappointment. First place paid out $600 for the team unraveling the bass bed mystery.
Bite was on early in the day as anglers reported good luck the first hour or so before everything went tough. Throughout the day, as Badin became busy with four other bass tournaments and recreational traffic in abundance, only small fish here and there were hitting. It wasn't until the last hour of fishing that action began to happen again. Some boats reported heavy work the last hour as temps hit the 85 degree plus range.
For Theo Hagerman and teammate Jim Marsh, the day turned out to be weather perfect and fish-keeper. The pair collected 24 pounds 2.5 ounces during the day, finding limit and culling thereafter.
The team of Cranford and Varner slipped in just behind them with 22 pounds 5 ounces and walked away with the second place prize of $300. Third belonged to team Furr and Joshner with 22 pounds 3 ounces along with the $200 reward, and the $150 fourth place position was won by team Smith and Weddington with 21 pounds even. Buzz Dunlap and Pete Morris handed in the Big Fish winner of 5 pounds 3 ounces, narrowly ouncing out Hagerman and Marsh who boated a 5 pound 1.5 ounce bass.
The Lions Club invites all anglers in the area to participate in their upcoming fall event the last Saturday in October. More information will be forthcoming. Watch for details on the Fishbyte.net pages. Further details can be gained from tournament organizer Richard Delk at 336-241-2333.
Farmer Lions Club Fall Event Just Around The Corner
October, 2009
For many anglers, it isn't time to put the bass boat up until the day after the Farmer Lions Club Fall Bass Tournament in late October. This year the Denton, NC organization has picked the last day of the month and Halloween Day to scare up some boats and bass on Badin Lake, all as a memorial to Bill Johnson.
The Lions Club sponsors two events per year and turnouts for both are always heavy. Hours after the spring tournament, organizer Richard Delk was already thinking about this October happening. “Now I can set my sights on the fall competition and I know we'll get the usual pile of boats,” he stated then. Boat numbers usually range from forty to as many as seventy five as anglers consider the spring and fall memorials a habit.
As has been done in the past, the club will use the Fish Tales Marina and Grill as their headquarters and will launch at 7 AM. Weigh in will happen at 3 PM back at the docks. Registrations can be done prior to the event from 5:30 AM to 6:45 AM. Cost is $60 per boat with an optional $10 per boat Big Fish pot.
An eight-fish limit is used in the tournament that promises a $600 payoff for first place if at least 50 boats arrive. Launch can happen at any access ramp on Badin, but participants must report to the Fish Tales Marina and Grill for blast off.
For more information, contact Delk at 336-241-2333.
Dunlap & Morris Take Lions Club Event
October 31, 2009
It felt like one of those fishing trips on saltwater where heavy fog rolls in and you can't see fifty yards in front of you. Anglers competing in the 19th Annual Farmer Lions Club Fall Bass Tournament had to run at slow speeds between fishing holes until almost noontime as visibility in the dripping drizzle-fog made movement hazardous.
Whether bass get sluggish in fog or it was just another off day on Badin, bite was poor for competitors as only two boats brought in the limit of eight fish and only three other teams had five. Those teams all placed in the top five spots. Thirty four boats turned out to compete in the annual event at the Fishtales Marina on Badin.
The Farmer Lions Club of Denton, NC has been staging two benefit tournaments a year now, a spring and fall gathering, for longer than many of those participating can remember. The Lions Club is very involved in efforts to assist the visually challenged. Both events are held in memory of Bill Johnson.
Two veterans of many of those annual activities, Pete Morris and Buzz Dunlap, continued their dominance on Badin, bringing in the eight-fish limit and 25.95 pounds when most could find little. Their first-place showing is one of many this season, as partners and while paired up with other anglers.
Mark Beck teamed up with Alan Browning and that turned out to be a strong pairing. The two were the second team to find limit, a 16.7 pound bag, just over a two pounds per fish average. The team finished second.
Third place finishers, Derick Livingston and Andrew Wallace were on track to give the top team a run with a average fish weight of over three pounds, but couldn't find limit. Their five fish fell short and the pair settled for third with 15.7 pounds.
The final paying position was grabbed by Derreck Crumbley and Bob Jennett who found 11.95 pounds. Both anglers have been fishing High Rock very successfully in recent weeks with a number of wins and places.
Just one position beyond a payday were partners James Blue and Don Newsome from the Montgomery Bassmasters. The duo found five fish and 11.8 pounds. Beyond the first five placers, fish totals dropped significantly.
Big Fish awards went to father and son team, Robert and Rob Stover. Their 10.4 pound bag included a 5.95 pounder that outweighed other contenders, earning them a hefty $340 paycheck.
The Lions Club held a drawing for $100 after weigh in was completed. Each tournament entrant was qualified to win. Jesse Varner, who had traveled all the way from Georgia to fish with Scott Cranford, were the prize winners.