The early morning greeted anglers with air so thick in humidity that you could hardly tell where the air started and the lake surface ended. Iowa has been stuck in a very intimidating heat wave this summer with many days in the 100 plus heat index range, as was this hot/wet day. The night prior to the practice day of fishing proved accountability for our tournament director’s nickname, “Coldfront”. John and Steve caught their large-heads at 10-15 ft over creek channel bends in the main lake. They were spotting massive schools of suspended baitfish, with electronics in the stained 82 degree (surface temperature) water. They caught 20 keeper fish to cull for their limit and none, that didn’t measure the legal 15-inch minimum. They used black and blue jigs and worms retrieved slowly beneath and through the schools of bait, and had the best catch in the afternoon.

Doing an outstanding job in only their second year on the trail Donald Peart Jr. and Tyson Vance of Ft. Dodge, IA came in a close second with 17.25 pounds with only a 3.73 lbs. anchor fish. These Dodgers found their bass scattered on wood 4 –10 ft. deep, while they were working the woods and weeds. They hooked 3 non-keeper fish and boated, 9 keepers about equally in the A.M. and P.M. They found the fish feeding on crayfish and began catching them on Kinami worms and Bass Assassins in green/black flake ad black/red flake rigged weightless.

Third position went to the always-competitive Mike Langford of Bellevue, NE and David McCoy of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Mike and Dave caught 16.93 lbs. with a big one of 3.71 pounds. They caught their largemouths in the timber (flooded) where the water had a light green stain and the grass was overhanging deeper water. The bass were in 4 –10 ft of water. 17 keepers were boated by the duo, while they caught 8 short fish. Like the winning team, Mike and Dave found fish that were feeding on fry and shad. They were throwing XPS Professional style crankbaits and BPS Stick-O in green/white and pumpkin/ green, and caught fish all day. The Council Bluffs Bass Pro Shop sponsors the team and Communication Service Incorporated.
Newcomers to the circuit this year but proving themselves to be always a threat were Mike Taylor of Council Bluffs, IA and David Greer of Omaha, Nebraska who had a fairly uniform limit of 15.89 lbs. and a big fish of 3.18, Mike and Dave grabbed fourth place with their catch. The cornhuskers were throwing to grass lines near deep water, (deep shores with grass0, and main lake steep banks. Their targeted fish were located in 10 –20 feet of water, with the weed line close, dining on crayfish. Of the 20 fish they caught, they only had 4 nonkeepers. They were throwing an Eakins Jewel jig in black/blue bringing it in very slowly. Jewel Bait Co sponsors the team.

As always lurking near the top and usually in the money were Shawn Holly of Council bluffs, IA and Robert Thomsen of Lincoln, Nebraska who had 15.57 lbs. with the second Big Bass of 4.46 lbs. Shawn and Bob were fishing in the ‘pole timber’ and had their best fishing in the morning. They were black and blue jigs in calm water at 6 –8 ft. They caught 2 non-keepers and 16 over the 15 inch mark to cull the fish who which were devouring crayfish for their limit.

The Adult/Junior team of Brian Kennedy Sr. and Brian Kennedy Jr. of Ottumwas, IA hooked sixth place with a creel of 14.12 pounds of largemouth, and retain the lead in the Adult/Junior team race.

David Cochran of Burlington Jct., MO, and Mark Rinehart of Kansas City, MO regained some of their consistency and came in 7th. with 12.56 pounds, and Dan Chickering and Tierre Chickering of Drakesville, IA nabbed 8th. place as the high placing Male/Female Team. I have it on good accounts that Tierre caught a bunch of the weight.

The Friday night pre-tournament meeting was held in the Crest Baptist Church in Creston, Iowa. The church pastored by Chuck Spindler (absent tonight due to a wedding preparation) served an outstanding meal of smoked pork loins, lots of side dishes with some of those fabulous homemade deserts. Following the meal, Brother Jim McCutcheon of the Assembly of God Church in Creston, brought the message. Division Chaplain John Safford offered the invitation and 5 fishermen acknowledged that they gave their hearts to Jesus and 6 brothers rededicated their lives to a closer walk with Him.

The Division Director then called seven fishermen forward and recognized them for outstanding efforts in promoting Fishers of Men in the area. Recognized for their efforts were Chris Calkins, Jim Lee Meyerdirk, Mike Langford, Dave Cochran, Donald Peart Jr., Tyson Vance, and Gary Goodwin. Calkins has been with the division since it began, consistently helping, donating door prizes, meals, promoting FOM and for the last 3 seasons has donated quality rod and reel sets for the second chance drawing. Meyerdirk helped in setting up meeting locations, donating many door prizes, promoting FOM and along with Calkins, donates quality rod and reel sets for the second chance drawing. Langford has been tirelessly promoting FOM in the Omaha and Western Iowa area and trying to get sponsorships. Cochran joined us the second year and has been extremely supportive and has recruited many to fish FOM, and has persuaded several sponsors to join in supporting FOM.. Peart and Vance worked several sport shows and recruited anglers for FOM, and have been very supportive. Gary Goodwin has been the backup Chaplain, has tirelessly promoted FOM, and recruited several to us, and has always been there when wise counsel was needed, by any of staff or fishermen, and is always ready to talk about Jesus.. We know there are several more who have helped in many ways and your efforts are vastly appreciated and if we didn’t recognize you for your efforts we apologize (we have not forgotten) Each of the seven were presented with a water resistant New Testament in thanks for their efforts.

We would like to thank our National sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury, Kistler, Strike King, Diamond Cut Jeans, Gary Yamamoto, Marshall's Marine, Solar Bat, Spike-It, Castrol, V & M, Motor Guide, Keelshield, Lowrance, All-Terrain Tackle, The Spot Remover, Hot Rods, Stanley Jigs, Dual Pro Charger, X Tools, Deka Marine Batteries, Jacobs Glass, Bass Rx, Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor, River Bottom Lures, Motorguide, Hooah Energy Bars, Sospenders, Diamond Cut Jeans.

Divisional Sponsors: Pamida of Winterset, IA; Winterset First Baptist Church; Reed’s Laundry and Dry Cleaning of Urbandale, IA; Yo-Yo.com fishing nets of Esterville, Iowa ; Pure Fishing, Abu Garcia, Berkley (Trilene, Power Bait, Gulp), Fenwick, Stren, Spiderwire, Fisherman’s Factory Outlet, of Spirit Lake, IA; Interstate All Battery Stores (Clive, IA); Ambush Lures , Tony Sunken’s Brushy Creek Lures. Coca-Cola Bottlers of Ottumwa, Iowa; The Voice project at www.nelsonbibles.com; Chris Calkins of Marshalltown, Iowa and Jim Lee Meyerdirk of Spirit Lake, Iowa.