A windy, but satisfactory day, at Rainbow Lake for Pro Stan Culling and Amateur Brad Savrage.
Team Stan Culling (left) and Brad savrage weighed in four fish totaling 15.53 lbs. at the first tournament of the season at Rainbow Lake on Sunday, April 28th. From the start, a stiff wind hampered the site-fishing bite, forcing most anglers to resort to spinner baits. That didn't stop Stan and Brad from bringing in a stringer that has already beaten last year's heavy stringer by over three pounds. It's interesting to note that last year's heavy stringer (12.04 lbs. held by television host Johnny Johnson ) was caught also at Rainbow Lake during the first tournament of the year. Also of note is Brad's migration from the Pro division last year to the Amateur division this year. Brad sold his boat intending to have another one by the start of the season, but didn't acquire one in time, so signed up as an amateur instead. This should prove to be an interesting element throughout the 2002 season. Stan also took home the Big Fish award with a lunker weighing in at 3.82 lbs. Stan finished 4th last year in the final standings and seems intent on upping the ante this year. Congratulations to Stan and Brad on a tremendous showing!
Big Fish
Stan Culling, 3.82 lbs.
2nd place went to television host Johnny Johnson (left) and amateur partner Doug Coplan Jr. weighing in five fish at 11.58 lbs. Johnny's been a consistent top five winner throughout the White Mountain Top Ten tournaments winning four 1st, two 2nd and one 4th place finishes last year and winning the coveted Angler of the Year Award. It's safe to say that everyone is gunning for Johnny, and Stan Culling has got a good start. It's going to be interesting to see if Stan can match the consistent echo of footsteps from Johnny that are surely to be just behind him in each tournament.
3rd Place went to Pro Doug Coplan (left) and Amateur Nathan Koreny, weighing in four fish at 5.78 lbs. Doug was pretty consistent last year and made the Championship Tournament to finish in 3rd place in the final standings for the year. He is going to be one to watch as the season progresses. Doug is sponsored by Tempe Marine this year. Tempe Marine provided some gift certificates for the tournament.
2nd Big Fish went to new comer Mike Cachero at 3.55 lbs.
Mike is from Tucson, AZ and is known and respected in other tournaments around the state. Congratulations Mike, and we look forward to seeing you again!
Standings after One Tournament:
Pro Division
| 1st | Stan Culling | 35.53 |
| 2nd | Johnny Johnson | 30.58 |
| 3rd | Doug Coplan | 27.78 |
| 4th | Manny Verdugo | 21.58 |
| 5th | Bill Bishop | 20.15 |
| 6th | Mike Cachero | 18.55 |
| 7th | Don Kleifgen | 17.04 |
| 8th | Tony Martins | 15.41 |
| 9th | Bob Swanson | 5.00 |
Amateur Division
| 1st | Brad Savrage | 35.53 |
| 2nd | Doug Coplan Jr. | 30.58 |
| 3rd | Nathun Koreny | 27.78 |
| 4th | Bill Dupee | 21.58 |
| 5th | Teree Rhodes | 18.55 |
| 6th | Kenny Donaldson | 17.04 |
| 7th | Reese Simpson | 15.41 |
| 8th | Jamie Sluey | 5.00 |
Special Thanks to The White Mountain Bass Club Top Ten sponsors:
Tempe Marine
Sterling Fence
Tournament schedule is as follows:
| April 28th 9:30AM - 5PM | Rainbow Lake |
| May 19th safelite to 2 PM | Willow Springs |
| June 23rd safelite to 2 PM | Rainbow Lake |
| July 14th safelite to 2 PM | Fool Hollow Lake |
| Aug. 4th safelite to 2 PM | Willow Springs |
| Aug. 25th safelite to 2 PM | Fool Hollow Lake |
| Sept. 15th safelite to 2 PM | Willow Springs |
Top 5 Anglers in each division out of 7 tournaments will automatically be entered into a two day Championship tournament to be held October 5th at Willow Springs and October 6th at Fool Hollow Lake Safe-Light to 2PM.
Pay-Out is as follows:
|
Pro
|
Amateur
|
Big Fish
|
|
|
1st Place
|
$500
|
$250
|
1st Big Fish is $350
|
|
2nd Place
|
$300
|
$150
|
2nd Big Fish is $150
|
|
3rd Place
|
$200
|
$50
|
Total Pay-Out is over $14,000 for the year!
The White Mountain Bass Club Top Ten Single Season Records 2001
Biggest Limit 12.04 (5 fish)---------Johnny Johnson - Dino Felkins
Biggest Fish 4.79 -------------------Fred Deifenbaugh
Most wins Pro-- Johnny Johnson (4) Am-- James Guin (3)
Most Points for a season Pro-- 181.98 Johnny Johnson Am 148.96 James Guin
Check out last year's Top Ten season HERE