LAST EDITED ON Jun-11-01 AT 10:34 AM (PST)

"Snakes" you hit it right on the nose Chris. The fish I caught were long and skinny. These fish were over twenty inches long. Big heads, no shoulders, no belly.
Can't blame the fish on eating my spinner. They needed something to eat...:)

How it all went: Started at 4:00am Sunday morning. Checking in with the SCBBBC at Orwood waiting to hook up with my partner. As usual things happen and my pre-drawed partner did not show. Now I was without a partner and was going to be a odd man out. Meaning: I would be paired up with a pair of Tubers. (Twos company Threes a crowd). This works both ways - One more of a chance to add to our bag of 7 fish weight. If won all three would share winnings. The SCBBBC committee had me choose a number between 1-20 to determine my team. I chose #7 which happen to be Chris Youlden and Fred Church. Cool. Chris and I briefly shared our game plan. Three minutes till blast off and a Tuber in a truck races late to check-in. The committee then decides to undue me as a odd man and make the late Tuber my new partner. Which was OK, but now I was fishing with a .02 deduction for a check-in late penalty. (!!??@#$##) I informed my new partner to follow close as we make our way over to Union Point bridge to fish the Middle River.
4:40am The wind was blowing West-East. Tide had just turned from outgoing to incoming. This was crucial. In the SCBBBC the tournaments are fished without the use of oars. Incoming tide allowed me to fish from the bridge back towards the rock barrier. Company by five Tubers I made due of the conditions. Start off tossing a frog. Four blow-ups no takers. Switched early to a Senko, the wind made it difficult to fish the Senko. Missing two fish while talking to Fred. I decided on putting on the horse blinds and go for broke. I kicked over to my partner and told him work for a kicker while I'm going out to get our limit. I knew the tide was going to change back over to out going around 10 o'clock so I decide to go as far as I could up Middle River. Covering water I choose a blade and it paid off. I made it as far as the power lines. By now both of my legs had cramped up. The wind to my back no signs of letting down. I thought I was done for. A s l o w... kick back made good for culling fish. Having my limit I met up with my partner Greg who explained he had picked up two with a blade one being a solid three pounder. I smiled and said "let's get out of here and grab something to eat I'm starving". Not to sound cocky but I was done. Even now as I write this post. My body is aching sore.

I thank my partner Greg Vogel for his efforts (first time fishing the Middle River) I look forward to fish with you again. * Also Greg is the maker of Gem Rods. If your looking into having a custom rod build to your spec's talk to Greg.

-CAstro

Way to go Joey! We were only 9/100's out of the $. Just 1 more decent keeper to cull with would've done it.

Dave's partner lost one of his fins and he had some gnarly leg cramps while he was out fishin'. He said he was really sore today while in the shop hangin' & helping out.

ahem...Having oars definitely would have helped him a lot!

Good thing I didn't take him and Dave to Piper slough or an area near Disco I was thinkin' about. Losing a fin there could've been dangerous.

Chris

...for you Chris! I thought I might have messed myself up since I accidently dropped one of our fish while we were culling. Just wanted the race to the top to be tighter I guess!

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You never spoil it my friend. I'd rather lose to you than a lot of other people we know.

Chris

Joe,

Congratulations again on the win! You & Greg did a great job out there. It was nice to see it much closer than in previous years, when Mr. Bass & his pard would usually bring in around 20+ lbs of fish & blow away the field.

Sorry about the confusion in the AM. The team tournaments are a good idea, since they can help the newer folks to learn f/ someone with more experience (& who hopefully knows their way around the Delta). The problem is that we always seem to have people bailing out or jumping in @ the last minute. I know the late penalty is bizarre on team tournaments when only one person is late, but as you know, we @ the SCBBBC are traditionalists at heart & like to stick with our rules, even if they don't make sense.

Anyhow, good job dealing with the situation & for bearing with us. Hope to fish with you again soon. I was thinking of fishing with you lads @ Middle River, but I have to work that weekend. And Todd - if you're reading this - runners' rule? I wonder where you might be thinking of going? Hmmm...

Andy

Thanks for the props Joe and for holding me up at the tourney. I am still learning the Delta. Sorry about being late but I just happened to get stopped by a cop who liked to fish and he just had to talk about it for awhile. Glad it did not cost us in the end. Had a great time out there even if I did not get the monster. Would fish with you again anytime. Greg

Congrats Greg. It was a team tourney and you ripped some lips too.

By the way, I sent a guy to you for your rod building services yesterday. I only had your e-mail though. Would you send me an e-mail with your contact info?

Thanks,
Chris

Thanks everyone. I was surprised to see us come out on top.
Just could not find a BIG Girl to dance with. After I met back up with Greg. I was exhausted and hungry. At the point I did not care if we placed or took dead last. Just wanted to get out of the wind, and give my body a rest. It took two to win this tournament. Thanks again Greg...:)