Taylor and Greer THE WIN!
Brushy Creek, August 19, 2006, by Ken Callison

Taylor and Greer Brush Up on Their Skills and Clean Up at Brushy Creek

Lehigh, Iowa; Saturday August 19, 2006--Mike Taylor of Council Bluffs, IA and Dave Greer from across the river in Omaha, NE proved that they had the skills necessary to catch good fish in bad conditions, here today in the Iowa Division fishers of Men National Tournament Trail Brushy Creek Tournament.

On Friday during the pre-tournament practice day a severe cold front swept through the area with high winds, bad lightening and tremendous thunder. Thanks to Keary Holm, normally a FOM competitor, who spotted the approaching storm on radar on his work computer and contacted the division director; a cell phone call was made to all fishermen known to be on the lake practicing, and all got off the lake safely. However on the way to the lake on Saturday morning, a tree near the roadway to the ramp was spotted which had been struck by lightening. Seems like the presence of “Coldfront” works even in a drought.

Saturday morning started off hazy with moisture-laden air. The heavy overcast kept the fish from doing their typical post coldfront behavior patterns. There was almost a mist all day in the humid air, but temperatures in the 70's were welcomed after the past several weeks of heat. Winds in the 10-20 M.P.H. range were day long.

Mike and Dave caught fish all day in the North end of the lake on deep drops and channel swings using jigs in about 20 ft. of water. They were not fishing around weeds, but found fish feeding on crayfish. To get their limit of 5 keepers they culled through 19 keepers and 3 non-keeper fish. They had a 3.75 lb. anchor fish. The duo were tossing 5/8 oz. Jewel Football Jigs in peanut butter jelly, working them slowly in the deeper water.

Pastor Gary Goodwin and Dan Burkhardt of Jefferson, IA, grabbed second place while working through pine trees on the southeast side of the lake, throwing Jewel jigs through the suspended fish which were feeding on small bluegills in the pines 12 – 16 ft. deep. They were using brown jigs fished slowly. Dan and Gary caught about 10 non-keepers and 6 keepers to cull for their limit. They had 12.20 lbs. of largemouths and a tournament 2nd big bass of 4.08 pounds. Everyone was excited to see Dan and Gary come in “in the money”. The first tournament these guys fished, was an FOM tournament on Mozingo Lake and they showed up with a two man bass boat {“Tupperware Gary”}. They have been watching and learning every since.

Third place fell to Steve Green and John Thomsen of Creston, IA, who were trying to accomplish the difficult task of winning all 5 FOM tournaments this year, as they have had a remarkable year. A little luck mixed with a great deal of skill, knowledge of the lakes and basic bass behavior all came together this year for them to have a great year. It was all summed up in the pre-tournament meeting when Chris Calkins got up and wished them well in their attempt at sweeping the circuit, but promised them he would do everything he could legally do to beat them. All the other teams gave the same sentiment. John and Steve worked the main lake points and cedar trees in 20 – 30 ft. of clear water. The caught 3 limits of keeper fish culling to the 5 plus 5 non-keepers fishing jigs and spinner baits slowly in black / blue and chartreuse. John said it was a slow day. Their total weight was 11.38 lbs. with a 3,15 lbs. kicker. They both expressed worry at the live well check in the morning saying that they were not on fish. One side note, Green showed up with very little sleep just getting off a plane from an Alaskan fishing trip. Green and Thomsen were able to wrap up the Iowa Division Season Point Championship race with their finish and earn big congratulations from us all. They are great fishermen and have had a phenominal year.

Local anglers and pre-tournament favorites Donald Peart Jr. and Tyson Vance of Ft. Dodge, IA caught fourth place with 4 fish and a 7.56 lbs. scale weight. They caught 4 keepers and 4 non-keepers throughout the day working the deep edges of grass and trees in 16 – 22 ft. of water. The fish were chasing crayfish and were caught on chompers on carolina rigs and jigs, in green and motor oil. They found dingy water for their pattern.

Jim Lee Meyerdirk of Spirit Lake, IA and Randy Hunnefeld of Urbandale, IA hooked fifth place with 3 fish and a 7.09 bag with a 2.75 big fish. Randy and Jimmy Lee caught their fish flipping in the flooded trees in 12 –20 ft. using black with red metal flake Berkley Power Tube.

David Block of Jefferson, IA and Kevin Holm of Carroll, IA, (subbing for Brother Keary Holm) netted sixth place with a 3 fish creel of 6.82 lbs. They were caught off a roadbed near a tree line using plastics and jigs in pumping pepper fishing in 20 – 25 ft. of water. They had 17 non-keeper fish during the day.

Chris Calkins of Marshalltown, IA, fishing alone as his partner, Wes Mahan of Sioux City had to work out of state caught the tournament Big Bass of 4.11 pounds and took 7th. Place, despite fishing with a deceased internal combustion motor, alone, and without a bite over halfway through the tournament. This is what 'never give up' is all about, and we have seen it so many times in our tournaments.

The Friday night pre-tournament meeting again was the highlight of the angler’s weekend. It was hosted by the First E Free Church of Ft. Dodge Iowa in their wonderful facility. A great meal of beef burgers, potato salad, various other salads, sliced tomatoes, fresh relish tray, and decadent brownies (delicious) were served. A thank you gift of an Iowa key chain was handed to each fisherman attending, for making the special effort to be there. Surveys on next year’s possible lake sites were passed out as well as nomination forms for the board of consultants. The anglers also filled out performance review sheets on the director and tournaments.

Pastor Gary Goodwin {“Tuperware Boat Gary”}gave the message on, Who am I? about Jesus being 100% man and 100% God. Gary spoke about anything is possible with God, and said keep praying and things will happen. Three men gave their heart to Jesus following the meeting while another four rededicated their lives. Gary followed up his words with coming in second in the tournament on Saturday, cashing a check for the first time. If you don’t think this man has a powerful message and walk with the Lord just ask him how Jesus got him a bass boat for Christmas!

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; 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); Tony Sunken’s Brushy Creek Lures. Coca-Cola Bottlers of Ottumwa, Iowa; MG Lures, Trondak, Inc. (U40 Rod Building Products), The Voice project at www.nelsonbibles.com; The Iowa Tourism Board, Chris Calkins of Marshalltown, Iowa and Jim Lee Meyerdirk and Cindy Meyerdirk (for assistance at the weigh-in) of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Donating sponsors for this tournament are: McDonald's, Hardee's, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, Hy Vee, Dominoe’s Pizza. Appelbee’s, Wendy’s, and Sonic, all of Ft. Dodge.
The Top 25 teams in order are:
1. Thomsen / Green
2. Meyerdirk / Hunnefield
3. Peart / Vance
4. Kennedy / Kennedy Adult /Junior
4. Calkins / Mahan
6. Smith / Meisinger
7. Hanson / Kautzky
8. Cimino / Davis
9. Holly / Thomsen
10 Langford / McCoy
11. Taylor / Greer
12. Block / Holm
13. Goodwin / Burkhardt
14. Cochran / Rinehart
15. Peterson / Peterson Adult / Junior
16. Chickering / Chickering Male / Female
17. Straub / Cochran
18. Capitani / Jordan
19. Froisland / Froisland Adult / Junior
20. Battani / Locker
21. Evenrud / Arment
22. O’Brien / Thomas
23. McMartin / Jacobson
24. Allen / Jewett
25 Goodwin / Goodwin Adult / Junior

2007 Iowa Division Schedule of Tournaments

April 21
May 19
May 7 - 12 2006 National Tournament
June 16.
July 14
August 11*

August 11* Regional Qualifier
Midwest Regional Probably 3rd weekend Sept.

July 25 - 28 2007 Legacy National Tornament
(NEW ADULT JUNIOR circuit)

I’m Caught in His Net!
“Coldfront”
Ken Callison
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