June 10th delta event a welcome homecoming for many FPT anglers

ROCKLIN Ca, - Happy to finally put aside for a while their dropshot/darterhead baits and light tackle rigs, Future Pro Tour anglers are welcoming with open arms the middle leg of the Tour's 7-event journey, and a chance to “sit down” on some of the California Delta's monster largemouth bass.

Known throughout the country as perhaps the best “pound for pound” bass fishery, and to many the place where the next world record bass may be caught, the California Delta boasts over 1000 miles of tidal shoreline, with a seemingly endless maze of sloughs and levies that sprawl throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Late spring is a great time to be fishing the California delta as post-spawn fish recovering from bedding activities move out and begin to actively feed again.

In this fourth event of the FPT's 2006 season, many anglers on the Tour that consider themselves “delta rats” – a term used to describe someone who fishes the delta exclusively, will be challenged with the task of re-calibrating the early season's deep water strategies, and move back to their “roots” and the waterway where their love for bass fishing first began.

“I've been waiting all year for the Future Pro Tour delta events!” noted an excited Harvey Pulliam, who having played many years in major league baseball (Colorado Rockies, and overseas), finds the excitement of fishing FPT events the perfect outlet to satisfy his competitive nature. Don't get me wrong…I have become a more well rounded angler by fishing the FPT, mainly due to it's 7-event multi-venue format, but the delta is home..and the place where it all began for me”.

Robert Park, a resident of near by Antioch, has another perspective about the upcoming series of delta events on the FPT schedule, and looks forward to the comfort and familiarity the delta waterways offer him. “I'm just glad to be back fishing in a place that makes sense to me”, he noted confidently. Reading the tides, knowing how fish position themselves in the current, and what (structure) they will be holding on at this time of year, is right up my alley, and we plan on doing well in this event”, he added further. One of the variables the FPT's northern region anglers may not have factored in will be the expected influx of anglers that may show up from the FPT's newly formed central valley region preparing in earnest for their own series of FPT delta events scheduled later in the year.

Ryan and Larry Accardo, current leaders in central Valley AOY race, plan on fishing the event to get prepared for when their region visits the delta and look forward to the excitement of fishing in a competition that could exceed 200 teams. “We've are having a great time fishing the Tour this year and look forward to this big northern region event and more importantly, meeting some of our fellow members of the tour”.

And helping to build the excitement and fun of this upcoming event, the Future Pro Tour will feature some of the west's most notable professional anglers at it's traditional pre-registration seminar, to be hosted at West Marine Products in Pittsburgh. On tap to give Future Pro Tour angler the best information possible regarding catching late spring bass on the California delta will be:

• Steve Sapp

Few can argue that pro angler Steve Sapp's very name is synonymous with bass fishing excellence - especially when it comes to the California Delta. Having won 3 fully-rigged boats in B.A.S.S Open competition, this Manteca resident is known for his consistency and dominance throughout the year – in all conditions, and he is viewed by many as perhaps the best “swing for swing” angler there is on the river.

• Bobby Barrack

The undisputed master of the SnagProof Frog, (as featured in his popular video “Just One More Cast”), this wily delta veteran will talk about the various methods he uses to catch delta bass and how to stay on top of a pattern during tournament situations. Future Pro Tour anglers…get ready to see why Bobby is a consistent top contender on the river, and is widely referred to as the “Frogmaster”.

• Charley Almassey

A veteran of western “bass wars”, Charley is a consistent performer, and versatile enough to do well on all bodies of water in the west. Experiencing a good measure of success this year on the FLW/Stren series tour, and taking an impressive 5th place in the organization's delta event in May, Charley knows the delta, and will help many Future Pro Tour anglers fill in the missing pieces of the delta puzzle.

• Special appearance by Dee Thomas

Freshwater Hall of Fame inductee and industry-acknowledged “Father of Flippin”, Dee Thomas knows the intricacies of delta bass fishing, and may “stop in” to visit and greet Future Pro Anglers attending this optional pre-registration seminar. Having won just about every professional bass fishing title there is to win – including a 1975 B.A.S.S national title on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas, and a ninth place Bassmaster Classic finish (1975) where he placed higher than Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, and Al Linder, this “living legend” is proud of what he has accomplished in his career and is totally satisfied with staying close to home and his beloved California delta.

The optional pre-registration seminar will be held on June 9th , from 4:30 to 7pm at West Marine's Pittsburg store (925) 778-1560. In addition to the great seminars, there will be a free BBQ, and a free raffle for premium prizes making it a fun time for everyone in attendance. The event, held on June 10th will be hosted by Russo's Marina located on Bethel Island - in the heart of the California delta, with blast off commencing at safelight.

Late registrations for this event will be accepted at the Russo's Marina ramp the morning of the event from 4-6am, and limited memberships for the event will be available for just $5 per angler. The host hotel for this event will be the Comfort Suites in Oakley (925 755-1222.

So what are you waiting for? Get your big baits, take out your Lamiglas Flippin' sticks, and let's get ready to rumble on the California Delta!

See you all there!

Vince Harris – Director, Future Pro Tour Tournament Trails

(916) 768-0938
www.futureprotour.net