Charity Bass Anglers Net
$10,529 for Easter Seals

Pool 13 proves "lucky" stop
for Mississippi River teams…

ALBANY, Illinois-A pair of Chicago-area anglers, who came to town to practice for another tournament, landed 12.72 pounds of bass to capture the 27th annual Mississippi Valley Bass Club Easter Seals Charity Tournament.

"A friend called our motel room and told us about the Charity tournament the next morning," said Don May, who with partner Bob Merkin, had the best five bass creel among 109 teams fishing the August 25th event to benefit the Easter Seals Foundation.

Pool 13 on the Mississippi River proved a "lucky" area for the winners. "We fished in the thickest weeds we could find," explained May. "The bass hit topwaters-rats and buzz baits-and plastic lizards."

May of Clarendon Hills, Illinois and Merkin of Downers Grove, Illinois claimed prizes totaling $5,500, including $3,000 cash and a $2,500 gift certificate from Triton Boats of Ashland City, Tennessee.

The overall big winner-the Easter Seal Foundation-with $10,529.00 donated, pushing the total to over $320,000 raised by the charity bass tournament.

"On behalf of the Easter Seal Foundation and the eastern Iowa and western Illinois children that receive speech, physical and occupational therapy each week at our center, I want to thank the anglers and tournament sponsors and volunteers," said W. K. Juncker. "It was a big success and we're already planning ahead for the event next year, set for August 24th."

The area Easter Seal Foundation is located at 1504 13th Ave., Moline, Illinois. Juncker can be reached at (309) 762-9552 for information on the 2002 Charity Tournament.

"Imagine your help," says Juncker, "contributing to a child walking for the first time or talking for the first time. Imagine it because it is true. These bass anglers and tournament sponsors are sharing in the achievements of the children we serve."

After the phone call, Don May said, "We got up a little earlier than we planned and entered. I can guarantee you that we will not miss it next year."

Dubuque, Iowa anglers-Jeff Herburger and Bob Edwards-most likely wish the phone lines had been "busy." They finished in second place with 12.42 pounds to earn $1,000.

"We caught our fifth fish with about two minutes left to fish," said Edwards. "The bite was tough." The runner-up team, also, locked into Pool 13 and concentrated on fishing ditches with current using jigs and plastic craw-worms.

Ray Scott, founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), served as special weighmaster.

When Dan Riedesel of Davenport, Iowa approached the scales with a sizeable bass Scott quipped: "I'll bet you $10 bill, I can guess the weight closer than you can. And, whoever wins gives half to Easter Seals."

Riedesel took the bet. He lost. But, won the tournament's big bass honors with the 4.72-pound largemouth bass.