Lake Mitchell Welcomes WBT Contenders


photo courtesy of Linda Berry
Morning Launch - Higgins Ferry

It has been over 4 months and now the dreams and hard work of 24 WBT anglers has finally come full circle. 12 pro anglers and 12 co anglers arrived in Birmingham on Monday, February 19 to compete in the first ever Women's Bassmaster Championship on Lake Mitchell.

 
photo courtesy of Linda Berry
Tammy Muse - Pro-Angler and 4th Place Qualifier from North Little Rock, Arkansas

    Rain clouds and heavy fog could not dampen the spirits of these ladies as they were treated to hot coffee and breakfast upon arriving at the Higgins Ferry launch site. It was business as          usual for BASS officials as it is their job to see that everything runs according to schedule. Practice day was conducted just like a regular tournament day and began with a morning prayer        and the singing of the national anthem by Deborah Wilkinson, WBT tournament director.

Anglers are following a busy itinerary all week. They were required to arrive on Monday where they checked in at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel and received their credentials. Tuesday's schedule included registration, contender briefings, practice day pairings, boat orientation, equipment preparation and a late evening welcome reception.

After a few hours practice today, they will return to the check-in site at Higgins Ferry and then will be driven back to their hotel. This evening will be equally busy with media interviews followed by an Elite dinner where each angler is allowed to bring one guest.

Then it is off to bed as the big day approaches and they depart Birmingham Boat Yard for Higgins Ferry and the first day of competition. Co-anglers will fish Thursday and Friday, being paired with different pros each day. The winner of the co-angler division will be decided at Friday's weigh-in. The WBT weigh-in is at Higgins Ferry on Thursday and at the ESPN Classic Outdoor Expo on Friday. On Saturday, co-anglers will fish as observers for the pros and the Pro Champion will be crowned on stage at the Classic Pre-Show in the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center.


photo courtesy of Linda Berry
Tammy Richardson and Tammy Ply from Arkansas are the first boat out.



photo courtesy of Linda Berry
Lucy Mize (L) from Arkansas checks her GPS while waiting to launch as Summer Stephens of Georgia smiles for the camera