The Harvester Bass Club President  has sent  to the editor of the Dispatch/Argus on June 3rd  the following letter addressing recent issues raised about our hosting the 3rd annual Red Cross Charity Tournament.

 

Dear Editor,

 

                On May 30^th, 2009 the Harvester Bass Club hosted the 3^rd annual Red Cross Charity Tournament out of LeClaire, Iowa. This is the 2^nd year the HBC has hosted this event. The tournament raised $3500 for the local Red Cross. The money will be used to help local people in need.

 

The charity tournament was coordinated and ran by volunteers. No one got paid to help. The Handicapped Development Center made the t-shirts that were given away. They were paid $625 for their contribution.

 

There were 37 boats (74 anglers) who took part in the tournament. They each paid $75 per boat. There was a $1000 pay out for first place. There were also contributions made from area businesses.

 

The All American Tournament sponsored by the FLW had their last day of a three day tournament on that Saturday too. They had 10 boats (20 anglers). They paid nothing to compete. The only time they spent in the LeClaire Pool (where we had our tournament) was to drive through it on their way North. There were no reports or complaints about anyone being in anyone else’s way. The only person who even saw an FLW competitor was me. I stayed at least 500 yards away. I also saw at least 15 other boats out that day who were not fishing in any competitive event at all. They were just out fishing.

 

Congratulations to the first place guy in the BFL boater division, Adam Wagner. He made $120,000. Hat’s off to the first place BFL non-boater as well. His name is Jade Keeton and he made $70,000. The last place people in both divisions were guaranteed at least $1200.

 

There were no negative comments from the charity tournament anglers directed at the guys from the FLW. We do not feel that their tournament gave ours a “black eye” or had any negative impact at all for that matter. In the Spring and Summer it is quite common for different clubs to have tournaments on the River. The rules of good sportsmanship usually take care of any conflicts.

 

Bob Groene’s suggestion that a “small group” of local anglers holding a tournament on public water is in any way an insult to the people from the BFL or the FLW is way out of line. We did not show any “lack of respect” for week end anglers. We ARE week end anglers. It’s a big River Bob, there is room for everyone. The “jeer” in your article is going to probably generate more local “bad will” than anything that was said at the FLW event.  It was not called for by the circumstances.

 

Bob also made mention of an “unknown local angler who helped a BFL guy by giving him his River maps to use. I know of at least 5 HBC members who provided information and even took the BFL competitors fishing with them during the authorized practice time. There were probably more. I had at least three phone calls from a competitor during the practice session involving patterns, locations, tactics, and baits. I was glad to be able to help him out.

 

Congratulations are also due to HBC anglers Terry Hodson and his son Rob. They fished the Charity Tournament and came in with 16.10 pounds of largemouth bass for their first place trophy. By the way, the 11.5 pounds that the winner of the All American weighed in would have placed him in tenth in the Charity Tournament standings. No one from HBC complained about the FLW guys.

 

A “Thank you” is also due to Chris Martin who directed the charity tournament. He worked hard to make it successful. It is unfortunate that there was no media coverage of our event at all. The Harvester Bass Club looks forward to hosting it again next year.

 

The FLW and the BFL are both class acts and provide some fantastic opportunities for guys like us that love to fish. The simple truth is that some of us would rather go fishing than watch other people fish. If we can help a worthy cause and have some fun on a beautiful Midwest spring day, so much the better.

 

The whole Quad City area benefits when a big league tournament series comes to town that represents any sport. Fishing is certainly no different. But, their presence does not stop the rest of the world from turning. We were not in anyone’s way, did not interfere with their event, and certainly did nothing to deserve a rebuke from a respected outdoor writer. An apology is in order.

 

By the way, the rest of Bobs coverage of the FLW event was, as usual, excellent.

 

Sincerely,

 

Richard Fiems, President

Harvester Bass Club.