Anyone Remember the "Gold Rush"?

Fast Eddie · Post by **Fast Eddie** » Mon Feb 20, 2023 4:48 pm

Coming up on the 32nd anniversary of Larry Viviano's West Coast Bass "Gold Rush". A concept that Larry came up with that paid Gold and Silver coins minted by the Liberty Mint for placing in the tournament. The tournament took place on Clear Lake July 31 thru Aug 2 1991, as a Pro Am style format. Don't rightly recall who won, but my buddy Butch Smith got a 1 once gold coin for big fish, and I believe it was an 8lber caught with a 6" black and blue magic worm. I placed 6th and received a 1/2 ounce .999 silver coin (see below).
Again, we had folks like Dee, Gary O, John Bedwell, Don Payne, Mike Cato, Keith Clow, Ralph "The Old Man" (crap!!! had it and now I can't remember his last name), Gary Boyd, John Murray, Leroy Bertelero heck I even think there were youngins, like KB and Skeet all participating. You also received a nice plaque with a fake coin on it. (as memories fade with time not all mentioned may have participated, but it's the way I remember it and it was fun).
Also, if memory serves me correct this was the time that a new top water lure from Japan was making it's west coast debut and were very scarce. It was called the "Michael". Later it became a Rick Clunn favorite the RICO. I think John Murray still has his name on one by Lobina but don't quote me on that. Anyway those were the days with new concept ideas popping up, lures from Japan, organizations drawing anglers etc. So, it begs the question! Anyone still have the coins?
I do and it's a life long treasure.
TL
FE

JL · Post by JL » Mon Feb 20, 2023 4:58 pm

I think it was Ralph Wells! He is still fishing tournaments and either is or close to 80.

birdman920 · Post by **birdman920** » Mon Feb 20, 2023 9:41 pm

I remember when Viviano gave away a used Harley for 1st place in a Clear Lake Pro/Am !

Fast Eddie · Post by **Fast Eddie** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 7:18 am

The "old man" was Ralph Cook. I know Ralph Wells. Cook was in his 70's or 80's back then. As a matter of fact Ralph Cook was fishing in a tournament at Lake Shasta, during a torrential rain storm and drew an AM who had gone to K Mart and purchased a rod and reel with 8lb test. Ralph said the guy caught a 10 lbr and it was a circus trying to get that fish in the boat.The second day was cancelled due to the weather. Good Times.

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:17 pm

Great post. Larry V. doesn't get the credit he deserves for the West Coast Bass Trail. He had so many great ideas and the biggest was the Pro-Am style events that run coast to coast now. When he started this the winning Am won a fully rigged boat!!! Before the Pro-Am style events it was boat on boat draws. Some of you will remember the 2-4-1 draws too!

Larry and Lisa Viviano were a huge part of bass fishing tournaments for a couple of decades. Kent Brown also came on board with West Coast Bass the last 8-10 years. Honestly, time flies and I'm not sure how long Kent help make things happen. There were so many great western anglers and the events were fun and we all made life long friends in the process.

I've always felt that Larry V. should be in CA's Hall of Fame!!! Just my opinion of course. THX!!

brucebites · Post by **brucebites** » Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:38 pm

I was on the Non pro side and Butch was the Pro I signed up with for three years .I fished the 97 and 98 as a Pro and made the Western Bass Classic at Shasta and Folsom. Larry paid for the Motel all week for the wife and I at both Classics. Every night a sponsor paid for the dinner. These were the days. Larry will always be remembered as the best tourneys ever . Weigh in at Shasta they put you in a new Ranger and towed you into the Civic Auditorium]]] with music going, etc.

Fast Eddie · Post by **Fast Eddie** » Wed Feb 22, 2023 7:27 am

I agree with Gary. Why isn't Larry in the CA HOF?
I was the recipient of that first boat in the 1992 WCB Classic. We stayed out of McClellan AFB I believe. As a Classic participant, Larry picked up the hotel bill. Launch was out of Discovery Park. Not sure who my first draw was, but day 2 was LeRoy Bertolero, and day 3 was Mike Ingle. Mike had an old Nitro that I had to stand at the bow hanging onto the butt seat to get the boat to drop onto plane. (You know how many 5 mph zones are between Discovery Park and the Delta!)
John Murray was the Pro winner that year and at the awards ceremony, Larry presented me with the keys and I began my spiel about my 3 days. I had eveyone laughing so much and in stitches that when I finished, Larry presented me with the keys to Murray's boat. (John couldn't make to awards ceremony due to another tournament in So Cal or Arizona) I immediately tossed the keys to the smaller boat back to Larry and quipped "Thanks, I'll keep this one! Missed out on the media (back then it was covered by most of the Sacramento news outlets) as Murray was right behind me and when they announced he had won they all swarmed him.
As an aside, this was the first tournament my wife ever attended. She told me later that if I wanted to keep fishing it was alright with her. Still fishing today. Sort of.