Morson Bass Tourney time Many changes on tap this year

Ken Johnston
Editor

It is bass bustin time in Morson!
Morson Bass International (MBI) chairman Tony Gill said that things are going really good for the 2nd Annual MBI, scheduled for Aug. 19-20, 2006.
The MBI has undergone some big changes this year most notably is the resizing of the event from a three day fishing tournament to two days. “The feeling was that a lot of anglers could not afford the three days. Cost for gas and taking an extra day off work made it tough. So we went to two days on the weekend and hope to attract more entries this year,” said Gill, Tuesday.
Last year the event had 32 entries with hopes for 75. Gill is optimistic that they will have more than that this year. If they get 75 the top prize will be $7,000.
Another big change this year will be where anglers are allowed to fish. “We have opened up the boundaries to the next boundary line. Anglers can now go around the Aulneau Peninsula up to White Fish Bay,” explained Gill. However, they can not use Turtle Portage to cross, “They are not allowed to set foot on land during fishing hours,” said Gill.
The tournament’s is also on a different weekend than the inaugural one last year. “We had ours on the same weekend as International Falls last year and hoped by moving it this year we would attract some more anglers that fished the Falls.” So the MBI is a week earlier this year.
The Big Tent, used by big tournaments in Rainy River and Fort Frances will return again, being set up just across from the Government Dock in Morson. It will be the hub of all activities including not only the tournament but the 27th Annual Morson W.I. Craft Show, a silent auction, Yowza entertainment Sat. night, a fish fry, concessions, pancake breakfasts and of course the weigh-ins at 3 p.m. both days to be followed by the prize presentations at 5:30 on Sunday.
Kids will also have lots to do during tournament hours. A kids tournament will be held on Government Dock Saturday for kids 14 and under. There will also be LoW Fire Dept. members on site to give tours of the fire truck and the OPP Jet Boat will be there.
Another new addition this year to the tournament is professional bass tournament emcee Paul Morrison. “He has done Bassin For Bucks in Sioux Narrows and the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship,” said Gill who looks forward to the emcee getting the crowd pumped.
To date there have been about a dozen teams enter and Gill said he expects that number to jump dramatically over the next week. Teams can register right up until the rules meeting Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $500 and if teams want to enter between now and the 18th they can call Gill at 488-5673 or Cindy Miller at 488-5905.