FISHERMEN WEATHER STORM
by Kristi Halsey, HeavyWeight Promotions Staff
Jimmy French and Bryant Bawcum, Bruceton, teamed up to gamble - not only that they could catch enough bass to keep their number four slot - but also that they could get back to weigh them in. It all looked too easy as the Carroll County duo took the first place prize in the 18th Annual Fall Bass Classic Open Buddy Bass Tournament with a total of 18.44 pounds. The annual tournament was hosted at Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside RV and Tent Campground, Camden Kentucky Lake.
The Bruceton anglers, have fished the Birdsong Creek on Kentucky Lake frequently and were familiar with its many moods. They raced north from the Birdsong Marina launch site near Camden into 15 mph winds, two foot waves and rising muddy water before they ever made it to Harmon's and White Oak Creeks - where they and several other anglers planned to win their catch for the classic two-day event.
Saturday, and into the night, torrential rains caused the Tennessee River to climb two feet producing swift currents and floating debris. French spotted clear water up in the north end of Benton County in Harmon's Creek to land the seven and half pounds of fish on his Strike King Spinner bait with a red and white skirt. Partner Bawcum, fished a Carolina rig over the brush-covered ridge. He brought part of the first day’s catch in of slightly under eleven pounds luring them into fourth place on day one. The come-from-behind team fished hard to find the clear waters of Kentucky Lake on the second day which bumped them into first place. The second heaviest catch of day two netted them the first place cash prize of $870.00.
On day one, Earl and Wayne Clouse, Joelton, TN, were in first place with 15.85 pounds. This father-and-son team combined their second day catch of only one fish - weighing a meager 1.94 pounds, sliding them into second place. Their total weight of 17.79 pounds netted them $580.00
In third place for two days in a row, but very consistent, was the team of Ray Eaton, Nashville and Ben Pearson, Franklin, TN, with a total weight of 17.37 which landed them a check for $ 435.00. Eaton fished more than twenty miles up the Tennessee River to escape both the wind as well as other anglers. He used a drop-shot rig along steep river shorelines in just three to eight feet of water, casting upriver and then dragging his plastic worm along the bottom with the current. In the clear, shallow water he could see many of the fish he caught - including the six-pound largemouth that put him in second place for "big fish" honors of day one. He caught a 3.15 pounder in the same "honey hole," to land a $ 200 check for "Big Bass" day two.
Earl Clouse fished down the Tennessee in the middle of the river where he faced the full force of the current, wind and waves. He concentrated along the ragged edge of a deep flat where he used both a Carolina rig and a drop-shot in 10 to 12 feet of water. Day one "Big Bass" check of $ 200.00 went to the Clouse team with a 6.23 pound Largemouth, the Official Fish of the State of Tennessee.
"If the weather had been good this week, everyone would probably have fished the lower pool creeks of Morgan, Trace, Birdsong, and Eagle, according to veteran angler and retired marina operator, Michael Redfearn. Redfearn teamed up with Kyle Parnell to boat 17.25 pounds of bass in the two days. Redfearn and Parnell placed the number four spot, luring them a check for $290.00
"Two hundred and four pounds of large and smallmouth bass were caught and all were released alive," according to Bob Keast, host and weighmaster of the annual fall event. "Since we installed the catch-and-release tube in the covered weigh-in pavilion, we just don't have any dead fish - and that is what sport fishing is all about," says Keast. Keast promotes fishing tournaments and boat shows all across America from his sister company, HeavyWeight Promotions. The HeavyWeight/Birdsong Staff of Tom Bland, Kristi Halsey, Skip Halsey and Janis Keast played a valuable role in statistics, registration, photography and overall assistance during each day's weigh in - making this year's event a fun time for all.
"The ooze offs went smooth each day at daylight from the well-lighted and large concrete ramp at Birdsong," claimed Jeff Peach, Camden. Peach fishes daily and placed sixth in the tournament. He is a third-generation fisherman who is sponsored by Shooters Supply of Camden." It's been a real pleasure and an honor to fish with all the out-of-town fishermen from over 25 different cities in Middle and Western Tennessee", said Jeff. "This is my second Birdsong Fall Bass Classic Tournament, and I am already gearing up for next year."
After the weigh in of the first day, Keast and the Birdsong staff treated all of the fishermen and their families to a complimentary bar-be-que rib and chicken dinner. The pool-side pavilion held many whose drive for competition wasn't near as dampened as the weather. All enjoyed the bar-be-que, fellowship, and spirits were high.
Daily weigh-ins took place at 3:30 p.m. at Birdsong Resort and Marina Fish Weigh-In Pavilion on Kentucky Lake. This pavilion is also open - at no cost - for Bass clubs and other tournament promoters to use. The site for over one hundred tournaments a year, Birdsong Resort is the Official Weigh and Launch Site for Kentucky Lake. It is the oldest and most prestigious fishing tournament area on the lake. Birdsong continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism, and sportsmanship after more than four decades.
Birdsong Resort, Marina and Lakeside RV and Tent Campgrounds is a family-owned, second-generation, family recreational facility that serves the avid outdoor recreationalist with the finest of southern hospitality. This 58-acre lake view complex is situated on the shorelines of the scenic Tennessee River's beautiful Kentucky Lake.
The top ten teams were paid a check for 85% of the income leaving 15% for printing, postage and the fishermen's bar-be-que. The "big bass" payout was based on 100% payback with 50% paid each day. A total of ninety-five fish were caught and released weighing a whopping 204 pounds. All of the fish were released alive and well to be caught again in future tournaments.
| Place | Names | Day 1 Weight | Day 2 Weight | Total Fish | Total Weight |
| 1 | French/Bawcum | 10.96 | 7.48 | 9 | 18.44 |
| 2 | Clouse/Clouse | 15.85 | 1.94 | 5 | 17.79 |
| 3 | Eaton/Person | 14.22 | 3.15 | 6 | 17.37 |
| 4 | Redfearn/Parnell | 15.48 | 1.67 | 6 | 17.15 |
| 5 | Caldwell/Himes | 7.22 | 9.02 | 9 | 16.24 |
| 6 | Peach/Allen | 8.47 | 7.42 | 9 | 15.89 |
| 7 | England/England | 10.42 | 2.92 | 6 | 13.34 |
| 8 | Upton/Daniel | 10.17 | 2.13 | 6 | 12.30 |
| 9 | Swinney/Logan | 8.42 | 3.23 | 5 | 11.65 |
| 10 | Cannady/Hunt | 10.74 | 0.00 | 5 | 10.74 |
Click image to enlarge
Jimmy French and Bryant Bawcum both of Bruceton, TN - snagged First Place |
 Father/Son Team Wayne and Earl Clouse of Joelton, TN landed 2nd Place |
 provided a dry spot for the fishermen to relax and enjoy their free bar-b-cue dinner |
 many fishermen sat around and discussed the day's activities |
 looks over his huge plate of bar-b-cue |
 as hostess for the fishermen's dinner |
 Joelton, TN hauled in the Big Bass money on Day 1 |
 Nashville was hitting it hard both days. He took the Big Bass money on Day 2 and had the 2nd biggest fish on Day 1 |
 consults with Earl Clouse of Joelton, TN about his huge catch on Day 1, note the scales readout 15.85 lbs.! |
 Keast congratulates Michael Redfearn and Kyle Parnell on Michael's attempt on the little johnny |