Unless you’re Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ or one of the six divisional winners of the FNC Kansas won’t leave fawned memories for many of the 55 contenders competing for a place in the Bassmaster Classic. In what could be described as the “Iron Man” Federation Nation Championship, high winds, freezing temperatures, rain and just a plain old tough fishery left most of the field shaking their heads and heading home disappointed. The best laid plans couldn’t have included what Mother Nature had in mind for Lake Milford this week as some of the best amateur anglers in the world came back with empty live wells and dashed hopes.
Six More Head To The Classic
Bryan Schmidt of Olney, Texas in the Central division emerged the overall FNC Champion with 3 fish over two days weighing 9 pounds 12 ounces. For his skill and stamina Bryan takes home a total of $69,810.00 in cash and prizes including a new Skeeter/Yamaha package worth $64,000.00 and a trip to the Bassmaster Classic.
Scott Parker of Londonderry, N.H. in the Eastern division took second overall and $11,00.00 including the Purolator Big Fish for Day 1 with two fish weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces.
Jay Evans of Corvallis, Mont. in the Western division weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces to capture 3rd overall, $5000.00 in cash and prizes and of course a trip to the classic.
Canadian hopeful Mike Desforges came up short on his classic bid as he was held fishless both days. Mike comments in his daily blog, http://www.mikedesforges.com/fnc “Today I experienced one of the toughest days of fishing of my life. The combination of wind, rain, cold, mechanical failure and of course the lack of fish, might have made it the worst day of fishing I've ever had.” But for Mike it seems only a delay in his run for the classic after an incredible year with multiple tournament wins both north and south of the border.
Tournament Director John Stewart had a lot of sleepless nights leading into the event as he watched weather forecast for the state. The decision to send 55 anglers out into borderline conditions doesn’t come easy as safety is his number one concern.
