Kerr Buggs, VA - Feb.
11, 2006
We now add to the on going saga of miserable
conditions of fishing for crappie 12 months out of the year. 39 teams
entered the February 11 event on Kerr-Buggs Lake in Clarksville, VA. After
nearly six weeks of above average temperatures, the weather decided to
change for pre-fish conditions to the high 40’s and 10 to 20 mph. winds. To
add to that on tournament day, there was a 5 to 10 which is ok, but to add
to that was 36 degree temperature for the high and rain all day turning to a
snowy mix by the end of the tournament. If you don't think it takes a tough
cookie to do that, then you’re wrong. My congratulations to the women that
stuck it out all day, especially for Beverly Small. Her fingers were so cold
and she was in such a hurry to get warm, she unfortunately came to the
scales with 11 craps. Folks it doesn’t get much worse than that.
On the good side was the King of Kerr-Buggs,
winning three years straight on the lake, the team of Butch Arthur and Bobby
Jacobs from VA, weighed in 16.68 lbs. for the number one spot. The lake was
down and no one ventured up the river but Butch and Bobby. The two had to
slide over less than two feet of water to get to their spot. Once there,
they tight lined less than 3 ft of water to gain success.
Once tight liners but now trollers, the
points leading team of Eddie Werts and Kenny Winn from SC reeled in 15.80
lbs. for second place. The duo was in Orange Creek all day with just one
other team.
Rounding out the top three was the Raleigh
team of Rod King and Drew Smith. The two were here and there trying to pick
up some specs for a weight of 14.16 lbs. Rod and Drew were tight lining to
gain success. It takes toughness and determination to pick up and move to
another area in weather that bad. Most teams were too cold and weary to want
to make a move. Even after a successful liver transplant a few years back,
Rod is back to being the great crappie fisherman god gave him the talent to
do. His thanks to the Lord is every year he takes missionary trips at his
expense to spread the word of Christ to countries that know nothing of the
God we serve.
