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3/28/2009 – Fleming and Rhymes win it all at the Delta

                 The WRL is making its first stop of the year at the Delta and all the buzz is about spring fishing. Check in started the night before with Host Chuck Russo and Russo’s Marina rolling out the Red Carpet like they do for everyone. You always get that “Just Wanted” feeling when you come to Russo’s. With lots of guys buying tackle from “THE HOOK” to get involved in the Tackle Store Texas Trip Giveaway, many pegs were empty buy nights end. The one that were most affected showed itself fast on tournament day as many anglers reported catching fish on Bush Hogs or Jigs….the key was to flip the bait and let it sit a very long time.  The fish just aren’t very aggressive.

             Figuring it out the best was Reno, Nevada’s Troy Fleming and Casey Rhymes. These guys brought in 22.37 pounds for 5 fish and included a true Delta monster for big fish of the day, a 11.70 pound Largemouth Bass.

Very Nice! The lure of choice will be no surprise to anyone who has fish the delta for any length of time, a brown jig one rod and a brown jig on the other. Fleming told us at the awards, they never left the Franks Tract area and focused on areas where the fish would be staging for what had turned out to be a late spawn this year. It sure paid off as we gave them a pair of nice plaques, sponsored by The Hook, Line, & Sinker in Oakley, and check in the amount of $2620. Congratulations Casey and Troy.

             Second place went to Turlock’s Travis Huckaby and Delhi’s Andy Lucas. These two came in with the second biggest bass of the day, a real nice 7.85 Lb. lunker, that anchored their  limit of 20.22 Lbs. Huckaby said they burned a lot of gas as they spent part of the day in the south delta and part in the west. In either case the had a good pattern going as one would pitch a sweat beaver while the other looked to pick off more aggressive fish with a Rattle Trap. While at the awards, they also took the time to thanks supporters Proflight Boat Towers and Autolife Auto Parts. This support will be added to a nice check of $1340 to go with a pair of those Plaques from The Hook.
Good job for good day’s fishing.

            Finishing in third was Jim Scarberry and Dick Moore of Orangevale. No monster bass for these guys, just a solid bag tipping the scales at 19.64 Lbs. This was another team that proved you don’t need to burn a lot of gas to do well. Scarberry told after the tournament they burned less than 3 gallons of gas all day. He also let us in on the bait of the day, a Black and Red Jig. No secret, just smart fishing. It paid off as well with a check in the amount of $340.

            Forth place went to Steve Black of Merced and Jason Horton of Ceres. They came in with 17.44 pounds that was rewarded with $360, while a fifth place check in the amount of $610 went to Daniel Hurley and Bob Vallier.

            Finishing atop the small boat division was father and son John Henneche Sr and Jr. Their bag weighed in at 10.40 and put them “right there” for the angler of the year race.

            Ron Stover and Jon Jackson took home the 20/20 good eyes award from Eye Surrender Sunglasses for their 20^th place finish, and a nice $30 swimbait was awarded for the Texas Trip Tackle Store Giveaway.

            Our next event in the Mother Lode region will be on April 25 at Don Pedro with Check in the night before at Escalon Bait and Tackle from 4-6 pm.  Don’t forget to bring your receipts from any qualifying tackle store and win that trip to Texas.

The Western Rookie League would like to thank the fine sponsors that make the difference between fishing and the quality events we are able to provide as a result of their support. BassCat Boats, Mercury Outboards, Berkley Trilene, Spiderwire Braid, Castillo Badillo - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Loomis Lodge and Lake Fork Guide Service, TheFishingInstructor.Com, Persuader Bass Baits, Fenwick Rods, Walton’s Pond in San Leandro, Hook, Line & Sinker in Oakley, Phil’s Props in Redding, Bait Barn in Waterford, Escalon Bait & Tackle, Glory Hole Sports in Angels Camp, Valley Rod & Gun in Clovis, Berryessa Sporting Goods in Winters, MF Finesse Custom Worms, Comfortroll, Comfort Suites of Oakley, Cal West Concrete Cutting, Eye Surrender Sun Glasses, Bass Angler’s Guide Magazine, Angels Inn Motel of Angles Camp and Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island.