In compiling the tournament history list that follows, one thing is evident — Dee Thomas’ name appeared atop a lot in the tournaments. I don’t have all the records from the 1985-1988 Western Bass tournaments, but those from 1973 to 1984 are featured to show some of the top anglers — many of whom will be seen at the Silver Eagles Re- union in Las Vegas. Just for fun though, about 10 years ago I compiled some numbers based on tournament standings in those early years from 1973 through 1984 with 5 points for a first, 3 points for second and 1 point for a third place finish. The numbers for Thomas were even more astounding than I presumed. Without a doubt, the early years of western tournament fishing belonged to Thomas. On my system, he racked up 75 points on 12 firsts, 3 seconds and 6 thirds, far and away above the 40 points scored by Dave Gliebe with 4 wins, 6 seconds and 2 thirds. Next best was Larry Hopper with 5 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third for 32 points. Fourth in the all-time Western Bass race was the late Bobby Garland with 3 firsts, 4 seconds and 4 thirds for 31 points. Rounding out the top five was Fred Ward with 4 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third for 30 points. Sixth goes to Mike Folkestad with 26 points on 3 wins, 3 seconds and 2 third place finishes. Mike still is a force on the current WON BASS circuit and since 1985 he has racked up many wins and top ten finishes. If these later records were considered, Folkestad is probably now the number one angler in western tournament fishing history (although Gary Dobyns would also have to be considered, as he took ownership of the northern events much like Dee Thomas did in earlier years). Continuing on my points system for the early years, 7th goes to Don Iovino with 21 points, 8th is a tie between Rich Tauber and Greg Hines with 18 points. 10th is a tie between John Bedwell and the late Fred Kunkle with 16 points. All in all those, 11 men form a pretty good “who’s who” in western tournament history. The following recap includes tournament information during the years when I was involved in the original Western Bass and into 1984 until the name changes to U.S. Bass and the headquarters move to Arizona was effective. Information on the 1985-88 U.S. Bass tournaments was not available. Also not included are the Texas, Louisiana,
Dave Gliebe had plenty of California victories to his credit and was pretty much the last person another competitor wanted to draw.
1973-1974 WESTERN BASS
• December—Lake Don Pedro (teams event): Bernie Sherman and Bill Smith. • February—Lake San Antonio (teams): Dee Thomas and Frank Hauck. • May—Lake Nacimiento (teams): Dee Thomas and Frank Hauck. • August—(tournaments switched to individual competition) Lake Oroville: 1) Dee Thomas, 2) Kreg Brawley, 3) George Hawley. • September—Lake Don Pedro: 1) Dave Gliebe, 2) Dee Thomas, 3) Art Price. • October—Lake Mead (Abe Schiller Memorial Tournament): 1) Bob Pinto, 2) Ron Haskell, 3) Jerry Dronsky. • December—Lake Mohave: 1) Sam Flores, 2) Steve Oliver, 3) Jerry Dronsky. • Angler of the Year—Dave Gliebe. • Tournament of Champions—Pine Flat Lake: 1) Dee Thomas, 2) Ron Haskell, 3) Bill Smith.
1975 WESTERN BASS
Gliebe and legendary lure maker Bobby Garland at the first U.S. Open event ever held. The year was 1981 and Garland was Angler of the Year on the Western Bass circuit.
Missouri and Oklahoma tournaments staged by Western Bass from 1982 to 1984. I only had information on the top three anglers in each tournament, and have nothing to report for a Lake Mohave tournament in 1984. But nevertheless, the following list is sure to bring back a lot of pleasant memories of the men who pioneered bass fishing in the West.
• February—Lake Havasu: 1) Larry Williams, 2) Bernie Liston, 3) Jim Drake. • April—Lake Oroville: 1) Dee Thomas, 2) Gerald Bryant, 3) Dave Gliebe. • June—Lake McClure: 1) Don Ames, 2) Don Smith, 3) Jack Rogers. • September—Lake Mohave: 1) Larry Hopper, 2) Fred Ward, 3) Bill Smith. • October—Clear Lake: 1) Mike Folkestad, 2) Gary Klein, 3) Dennis Chartier. • November—Lake Mead: 1) Pete Gardner, 2) Fred Ward, 3) Bill Smith. • Angler of the Year—Dave Gliebe. • Tournament of Champions—Camanche Lake: 1) Pete Gardner, 2) Dee Thomas.
July 2011 _ SILVER EAGLES 21