Posted by Edward D. Bohn from 152.163.213.178 on August 03, 2001 at 21:02:30:
Subj: Fwd: Day 1 BASS Masters Classic story from Tim Hipps in New Orleans........
Date: 8/2/2001 6:34:00 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Iwrite30
Subj: Day 1 BASS Masters Classic story from Tim Hipps in New Orleans........
Date: 8/2/2001 6:30:31 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Iwrite30
Day 1 of BASS Masters Classic
NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ David Walker caught five bass weighing 12 pounds, 4 ounces Thursday to take the first-round lead in the 2001 BASS Masters Classic on the Louisiana Delta.
Harold Allen, 56, of Shelbyville, Texas, stands in second place with five bass that weighed 11-13, followed by Kevin VanDamm (11-5) of Kalamazoo, Mich.; Robert Lee (11-1) of Angels Camp, Calif.; and Dwayne Horton (10-2) of Knoxville, Tenn.
Reigning BASS Masters Classic champion Woo Daves, 55, of Spring Grove, Va., caught one bass that weighed 1-11, leaving him in 36th place among 40 anglers. Four-time Classic champion Rick Clunn of Ava, Mo., competing in his 28th BASS Masters Classic, lurks in 13th place with four fish that weighed 6-15.
Making only his second appearance in the Super Bowl of bass fishing, Walker isn't imtimidated by competing against the world's best anglers.
"I've got to just go catch some fish that I know how to catch, and make them beat me," said Walker, 36, of Cannon, Ky. "Whether I'm leading the tournament or I'm in 10th place, tomorrow I'm going to continue doing what I did today."
"I may go back to the same area and pick up right where I left off, which would be outstanding. When things like that happen, that's when you get the chance to win a tournament. If you're going to pick a tournament to win, this is it.
"When it comes to bass fishing, this is our Daytona 500."
Walker, who caught four redfish and a flounder during Tuesday's practice, caught his limit of five bass Thursday on the same spot along the mouth of the Mississippi River. He weathered a rugged, two-hour boat ride each way during the 115-mile jaunt to his "honey hole."
"There's so many big ships down there, and the waves are gigantic," Walker explained. "And the wind was blowing into that current, so it was quite a little adventure just to get there and back _ but it could be worth it."