The FLW Western Series tournament on Roosevelt Lake is less than three months away. There is a ton of planning going on and its shaping up to be a great time. Here are some updates since my last post. The FLW Day in Payson on Sept 18 is going to be huge. The free fishing day offered by AZGFD has been approved, Officers will be handing out free rods, reels, and bait at Green Valley Urban Lake in Payson. The FLW sponsoring National Guard Mobile Events Team is pulling out all the stops in support of this event. In addition, the Phoenix National Guard Unit is involved and will be bringing more pieces to the infamous Fun Zone sponsored by the Guard at no cost. There will be lots of vendor booths and food booths. If you’re a business owner and want to have a booth at this event, contact Payson Parks and Recreation at 928-474-5242 X358. We now have confirmation from some of the anglers that will be attending the event. They will have their wrapped boats on display and will be available to talk with and sign autographs from about Noon – 2 PM. At 2 PM the media event is scheduled. The Pros will be on stage, introduced by the FLW President and CEO, Charlie Evans. The media will be able to ask questions about sponsors and the tournament. Our list of confirmed anglers includes: Gary Dobbins, Mike Folkestad, Brett Hite, Tim Klinger, Justin Lucas, Clifford Pirch, Jimmy Reese, Rusty Salewske, Zack Thompson and Jonathan Walker. The following anglers are tentative (will do whatever it takes to be here if they do not make the final cut in an earlier event) Brent Ehrler, Cody Meyer, Ish Monroe and John Murray. We also plan to have two ASU FLW College anglers on hand. This list is growing each week so I’ll keep you posted as we get closer. Right after the media event the Country & Western band 2nd Shift will put on a free concert in the amphitheater. Sept. 18th is the day before the first pre-fish day leading up to the tournament, so we’re hoping everyone can make the trip to Payson for this great time.
Now, I shouldn’t tell you this, but I’ve seen how well Westernbassers can keep a secret, so I’ll let you in on the deal. We are very optimistic about being approved for a Air National Guard fly-over on the first morning of the tournament, Sept. 22. Don’t shoot me if this backfires, but our contact for the fly-over thinks we should have confirmation from the Pentagon within the next couple of weeks. The local National Guard will present the colors via a Color Guard each morning of the tournament at the Cholla ramp, there will be a cannon sounding following the presentation of the Colors, and then the National Anthem will be sung. Even if you’re not fishing the tournament, you’ll want to be at the Cholla Recreational Site to witness this inspiring opening ceremony. Plan on arriving early, there will be lots of traffic.
We know its going to be hot during this tournament and anglers will need ice to add to their live-wells. The retail businesses in Tonto Basin are working with their supplier to be able to sell bags of ice each morning at the ramp. So when you’re getting your boat ready, or in line to launch, you’ll be able to purchase ice just before you enter the water. Weigh-ins for the first three days will be at the Cholla Site. We have been approved to set up in the upper lot just like last year. We will again have 25+ gas powered carts to move anglers (and the public) up and down the road from the lake to the parking lot. There will be food and drinks for a donation to the Gracie Lee Haught Foundation, a C & W band, live radio and possible television.
The final day weigh-in will be held at Chapman Auto Center which is located on the NW corner of the Beeline Hwy and SR 260 in Payson. The National Guard Fun Zone will again be set up, food, drinks, vendors, and a C & W band. There will be live radio and TV coverage of all activities, in addition to the FLW media people that produce their FLW Outdoors TV show that will air on Versus Network worldwide on October 31.
I wish I could tell you more about a few other exciting things we’re planning but I’m not confident enough to spill all the beans! If you’re on the bubble about deciding to fish this tournament, do it. You’ll be impressed with what we’re planning and you’ll meet and perhaps fish with the some of the top anglers in the world. We’re doing all we can to make this the best FLW Series Tournament ever but as I’ve written before, we need the Western US angling community to support it. We can do the best planning in the world but if it doesn’t make good business sense, our run will be short lived.
The boat limit for an FLW Series tournament is 150 which we hope to fill. Entry fee for a pro angler is $2,000 and for a co-angler is $350. Remember that you only need a small deposit to reserve your place for the tournament.
If you would like information on hotels, restaurants, activities, etc. in the area visit www.paysonrimcountry.com or www.777play.com .
PM me if I can help with anything.
Cowboy
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