20th Annual West Tennessee Industrial and Commercial League Invitational Bass Tournament
Trophy 'Caught' By TVA
Sunday, September 19th, 2004 marked the 20th anniversary for the West Tennessee Industrial and Commercial League Invitational Bass Tournament. Two hundred and thirty six (236) fishermen from area companies participated in the event held at Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside RV and Tent Campground on the scenic Tennessee River's beautiful Kentucky Lake, Camden, TN.
Fifteen (15) West Tennessee companies and bordering companies in Middle Tennessee were represented by one hundred and eighteen (118) boats. The "ooze off" went smooth during the early morning sunrise from the extreme end of Birdsong Marina - tucked in some 1.5 miles from the mouth of Birdsong Creek (TRM 103.7). Flights left in pre-determined groups of 25 boats in single file beginning at 6:40 a.m. Flight numbers are assigned upon check-in.
Weigh-in time began at 4:00 p.m. and went on through 5:30 p.m. One hundred and twenty two (122) fish were checked in, weighing a combined weight of 277.73 pounds. Only three fish were on the fatality list. A great job by all the bass enthusiasts in the catch-and-release program!
TVA, of New Johnsonville, Tennessee, "brought home the gold" in the tournament and received the coveted "Best of the Best" rotating trophy for 2004. This colossal four-tiered trophy tops 5 feet tall. 2003 reigning champion DuPont – New Johnsonville relinquished the trophy to the new 2004 winners.
All participating teams' weights are considered when determining each company's "trophy teams." The top three teams' weights of each company are totaled to select the winning company. The three trophy teams for TVA were: Doug Story/Jim Story; Tony Hunt/Cecil Hunt; and William Patterson/William Patterson. Their combined catches weighed a total of 41.65 pounds to win the trophy for the 20th annual tournament.
The huge rotating trophy will be displayed in the lobby of TVA plant in Cumberland City for the next twelve months. E.I. DuPont, New Johnsonville, came in second place with 36.58 lbs, and Norandal, Huntingdon took the third seat weighing in 23.66 lbs.
Individual teams take home cash prizes based on the number of participating companies, paying out twenty (20) places. Winning the individual team competition was the team of Doug Story and Jim Story with a whopping 18.14 lbs. This TVA team took home $747.50. In second place was the team of Buddy Thompson and Jason Thompson (DuPont) with 14.51 winning $455.00. Third seat was claimed by M.R. Hembry, Jr. and Richard Eden (DuPont) with 12.64 lbs, taking home $357.50.
The Big Bass Pool was also taken home by the Story and Story team (TVA). Doug and Jim checked in the "biggest bucket mouth" bass weighing 5.78 pounds, taking home the check for $1,332.00. The second biggest fish weighed in from M.R. Hembry, Jr. and Richard Eden (DuPont) at 5.37 winning a second place payout of $888.00. Third big fish was captured by Brian Travis and Derek Wyatt (Norandal). This third place team took home a top-of-the-line air compressor donated by Porter Cable of Jackson.
"A tip of the scales" to all the fishermen who made this huge event a success. The West Tennessee Industrial Association's continued sponsorship is always appreciated. This year WTIA sponsored a new award category for "Smallest, legal bass." Rick Bowen and David McAlexander (AmeriSteel) took home the check for $200.00 on their 1.66 lb. catch. One fisherman commented that he had "culled one, one ounce smaller than that." Bob Keast, Birdsong owner and tournament director commented, "You always have to watch for new and exciting things happening, we always try to keep" them "interested."
Special thanks to participating companies donating door prizes. Individual fishermen took home an air compressor donated by Porter Cable; coolers, flashlights, camping chairs, sunglasses, and mulit-plier tools, donated by Owens-Corning; mag lights and various other items donated by Standard Gypsum; garden hoses by Haywood Company; Casting Rods, two-cycle engine oil donated by Dupont; Storage cabinet donated by AmeriSteel; and various caps, t-shirts and other small items donated by other companies.
Next year's dates for the 21st Anniversary West Tennessee Industrial League Bass Tournament to be held at Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside Campground in Camden, Benton County Tennessee on Sunday, September 25, 2005. Birdsong encourages any industry with ten or more employees to make plans to join the 2005 event. Companies pay one participation fee for an unlimited number of qualified entries.
Industries and businesses gather in Camden annually, often enjoying overnight stays at Birdsong and other local hotels. The economic impact of approximately 250 fishermen, friends and family flooding into town eating, sleeping, gassing boats and automobiles can be visually seen.
Packages were distributed to each fisherman and to the observing crowd. Each bag contained a Tennessee Vacation Guide compliments of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development; a Tennessee road map, compliments of the Tennessee Department of Transportation; a Benton County Fact Book, compliments of the Camden Chronicle; a Magic Valley Map, compliments of WRJB/WFWL; a Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground brochure; a Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm and Tour brochure; 2004 Standings reports and information for the 2005 upcoming tournament. Guest industries often attend this annual event as spectators, and leave with a wealth of Benton County, and Tennessee, information.
For this year's photos and complete standings, visit www.BirdsongResort.com's Photo Gallery under special events. For more information on becoming a 2005 company participant, contact: Bob Keast or Kristi Halsey at 255 Marina Road at Exit 133 of I-40, Camden Kentucky Lake, TN 38320.9699 or call 731.584.7880.
Keeping Your Tournament-Caught Bass Alive
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