June 2, 2010 – Yellowtail Reservoir, Montana – For the first ever Northwest Divisional Tournament consisting of the 5 states of Washington, Oregon, Montana Wyoming & Idaho, it definitely was not a home water advantage for Montana. It was a gorgeous day for fishing in the Big Sky Country on Yellowtail Reservoir. The scenery here is breathtaking and the water is clear, cool and full of smallmouth bass.There were 32 limits caught, all smallmouth bass, as Washington surged ahead for the lead
with 78 lbs and 10 oz. Idaho is in a close 2nd with a team total of 71 lbs 7 oz. Ken Elvsaas of Snoqualmie, Washington is leading his state and the tournament with 10 lbs 15 oz on Day1. Washington had 4 team members in the top 10.
with 78 lbs and 10 oz. Idaho is in a close 2nd with a team total of 71 lbs 7 oz. Ken Elvsaas of Snoqualmie, Washington is leading his state and the tournament with 10 lbs 15 oz on Day1. Washington had 4 team members in the top 10.Elvsaas had his limit caught very early after takeoff, which began bright and early at 6am this morning. He caught bedfish with the bigger ones being a bit deeper in water, although there were a lot of empty beds from prefishing. His partner from Oregon, Jim Brinkerhoff also caught a limit that weighed 6.12. Elvsaas’s teammate, Chris Ferry, is in a close 2nd place overall tie with Wyoming’s Eric Lippincott, both anglers weighed in 9 lbs 10 oz. It’s going to be a close race every ounces will count to see who moves on to the 2011 TBF National Championship. There are 2 days left of fishing and anything can happen!
Reigning Montana State Champion and home state favorite, JD Woods of Trout Creek, MT, showed why he is a state champion and led his team on the river today. JD is both deaf and mute but despite what some might view as a disability, JD is in the hunt and has a strong presence in 4th place overall, with 9 lbs 9 oz. He is only down by 1 ½ pounds. Jordan Doucet of Bothell, WA weighed in a 2 lb 10 oz smallmouth and leads the big bass pool so far. We’ll see if that holds up for the next 2 days! He is also in 5th place in the overall standings with 9 lbs 2 oz.
Full individual, team & federation standings can be viewed on our Tournament Results page.
The top 2 anglers to finish in their state will qualify for the 2011 TBF National Championship, where they will fish for the ultimate prize, the TBF $100,000 “Living the Dream” Package next spring.
