Many Big ‘bass’kets at Morson Classic

Ken Johnston
Editor

Two consistently sunny and hot days proved to be ideal conditions for the nearly 100 anglers competing in the 9th Annual Morson Bass Classic over the weekend.
Many big baskets topped the pack after day one’s fishing. They ranged from the 16.13 lbs. caught by Fred Green and Pat Handorgan, Jr. to 12.78 lbs. caught by Al Wolanicki and Doug Jorgenson who rounded out the top ten.
On day two the baskets were equally impressive with Thomas Cheena and Reuben Gibbins weighing in 15.92 lbs. to vault them to the top of the pack. But the top ten from day one were not ready to be outdone. They almost all posted excellent weights. Only two teams, Andrea Turgeon/Dave Byrnes and Norm Lindsay/Joey Sinclaire, dropped from the day one top ten.
The number five team after day one, Rick Savage and Frank McClymont of Kenora rose to the top with 13.98 lbs. the first day and then cinched it with 15.26 lbs. the second day. That gave them a commanding lead at 29.24 lbs., first place, $4,000, a paid place in the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship next year and bragging rights. “It sure is nice to come down here and beat someone from Morson. You guys keep coming up and beat us in Kenora. This is sort of like revenge,” said McClymont as he hoisted the trophy.
Finishing second was last year’s third place team, Francis Kavanaugh and Pat Handorgan, Jr. They weighed in 13.22 lbs. the first day which put them in ninth. 14.9 lbs. more the second day took them to second and $2,000 in prize money.
Third went to Cheena and Gibbins who weighed in a total of 26.99 lbs. to win $1,500.
From third to 8th place the anglers were only fractions of a pound apart. In fourth was Terry Gill and Chad Hanson who were a squeak behind Cheena and Gibbins at 26.97. Those two one hundredths of a pound saw them win only $800.
In fifth was Jeff Gustafson and Dallas Mosbeck with 26.61 lbs. They won $700.
In sixth place was Greg and Dwayne Lundgren with 26.55 lbs. They won $350.
In seventh was Al Wolanicki and Doug Jorgenson with 26.39 lbs. They won $350.
In eighth was Joe Dobransky and Bryan Andy with 25.94 lbs. They won $300.
In ninth was Fred Green and Pat Handorgan, Sr. with 25.21 lbs. They won $300.

In tenth was Jody Shypit and half of last year’s RRWT winning team, Dale Labelle. They weighed in 24.99 lbs. to win $300.

Just missing the top ten was Almer and Dan Godin with 24.98 lbs.

The hidden weight was 16.77 lbs. and was won by Ken and Mandy Olson. They received a depth finder.

Catching the biggest small mouth on day one was Dave Byrnes and Andrea Turgeon. They won $500 for landing the 3.59 pounder.

Catching the biggest large mouth on day one was Fred Green and Pat Handorgan, Sr. They won $500 for landing the 4.8 pounder.
Catching the biggest smally on day two was Reuben Gibbins and Thomas Cheena. They won $500 for the 4.28 pounder.

Catching the biggest large mouth on day two was Francis Kavanaugh. The 3.75 lunker earned them $500.
Winning the best guide award was Marty Nordin and Vikki Anderson. They each received a Mickey Mouse fishing rod and reel.