Tulsa World: Bittersweet finish for local angler

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Bittersweet finish for local angler

Anglers Mark Smith (left) and Edwin Evers (center) learn they are tied for first place during the weigh-in at the Bassmaster Central Open Saturday held on Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin. COURTESY/ESPN

By KELLY BOSTIAN World Outdoors Writer
Published: 11/12/2009 2:35 AM
Last Modified: 11/12/2009 5:55 AM

Go to Kelly Bostian's blog

PRO BASS angler Edwin Evers of Talala is always good for an exciting show, and he wrapped up his 2009 season with a dramatic, but bittersweet finish.

After two days in the Bassmaster Central Open on Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin, Evers and angler Mark Smith, of West Monroe, La., were tied for first place with 35 pounds, 9 ounces each. That meant the two would have to fish overtime Sunday.

Sticking with what worked the first two days, Evers motored two hours to a fishing spot with grass and undercut banks.

"There was tons of flooding going on there, and I was trying to find some more stable water," he said.

It meant he had only 3 1/2 hours of fishing time, but it worked. He hit an early-morning bite slowly running a quarter-ounce Bass Pro Shops Lazer Eye off the edge of grass mats, and then switched to flipping a black and blue Yum Money Craw on a straight sink hook with a 1-ounce weight on 65-pound-test braid.

Evers boated 14 pounds, 7 ounces Sunday to leave Smith in his wake.

Evers told ESPN that every win has to be cherished, but the win was bittersweet.

After a rocky year in the Elite series, Evers needed strong finish in the Open to land a Bassmaster Classic slot. He fell seven points shy and will miss his first Classic in nine years.

Oklahoma

anglers who have landed spots in the 2010 Classic include Tommy Biffle, of Wagoner, Terry Butcher, of Talala, Scott Ashmore, of Broken Arrow, and Jeff Kriet, of Ardmore.

Young angler honors: Seventeen-year-old Theron Asbery of Grove wrapped up his first season as a co-angler in the Walmart Bass Fishing League Okie Division in 20th place overall and with 2009 BFL Okie Division Rookie of the Year honors.

A good showing at the Southern BFL Regional on Arkansas' Degray Lake helped. He fought poor weather and used jigs with his boaters.

"The guys I fished with fished structure, they were deep, 70 feet," he said. "I found out most people were doing that."

The first day it rained all day and the second was 40 degrees with 30-mph winds.

"It was not a good day to fish," he said.

Catching one keeper each day was better than most.

"I finished 29th out of 141 anglers," he said. "The first day there were only 37 co-anglers who even caught a fish."

The decent showing and consistent performance through the season means he has qualified to fish next year's Central Division Stren Series.

"As of now, I will fish it," he said. "The only thing that could keep me out is the financial issue, but we, my dad and other people, we're working on sponsorships and donations."

Asbery looks at the opportunity as a chance to further his bass fishing education and "step up to the next level." Within 10 years, he wants to get through college and become a fisherman.

Rainbow luck: While we're on fishing news, we can wrap up with results from the Marval Resort fall trout tournament.

The resort on the Lower Illinois River reported that about 70 anglers in adult and children's categories tried their hand at trout fishing last weekend.

The resort gave away a free night's stay in one of their riverside cabins and a host of rods, reels, tackle packs and tackle.

The tournament started at 2 p.m. Friday and ended Sunday at 10 a.m. The grand prize winner was Willie Oaks, who hauled in a 3-pound trout. He chose a new fly rod and reel provided by NABATAK of Claremore as his prize. By KELLY BOSTIAN World Outdoors Writer

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