Well, we finally got to Coeur d'Alene for the Western Divisional Bass tournament. On Sunday all of the team members had arrived so we had a welcome bbq for all of them plus wives and parents. Mike King provided the meat and the Oregon Bass Federation provided the rest of the food. Evette and I did our shopping at Costco and Safeway for the salad, beer and water. Evette provided baked beans, Mike King provided chili and I made a cake. The room was paid for by the OR Bass Federation and was located at our campground Blackwell Island RV Park. It had all the things to put on the meal. After eating the guys sat around and worked on their strategy and shared their fishing facts with the rest of the team.
The prefishing was Sunday thru Tuesday and then on Wednesday the real tournament started. Lots of the guys were going to the place the locals call "the zoo" which is pictured below with the boat running thru. It is located at the south end of Coeur d'Alene lake up the St. Joe River toward St. Maries. It is a very long run from the launch ramp on the northeast side of the lake, approx 45 miles. 
Another good fishing place is Harrison Bay (above) which is about 25 miles from the launch. Also from Harrision Bay is the Coeur d'Alene River which has the "Chain Lakes" and lots of guys were having success up in these lakes. Some of these lakes are up river 10 miles which just adds to the time and gas to get to these spots.
Weigh in was at Higgins Point the same place they launched from and it was very hectic. They had to do a drive thru weigh in since the facility didn't have the room to put up the trailer and tent close to the ramp.
Kelly Vineyard weighed in 10 lbs. 1 oz on day one and as you can see was having a good time. At this point Oregon was in first place in the team competition and three of our anglers are in the top ten for individual weights, Mike Baskett, Jim Muck, and Dan Jordan.
Mike King to the right is one of the Oregon team's co'anglers (non-boater).
Another good picture of some team members, Reno P., John B., and Howard P. They are waiting for the final results at this point to see if we can maintain our #1 status. (We are in 2nd place at the end of day one behind Idaho.)Terry is coming off of the water in the final flight which arrived at 2:40 pm. His partner J.D. Wood from Montana, both had fish with Terry getting 5 fish (limit) and JD having 4 fish, but he did have the biggest fish in the boat.
There are only two lanes to launch and load the boats so it was very hectic trying to get everyone off of the water and to weigh in.
Terry and his partner JD Wood. JD has been fishing since 12 yrs old and is deaf. Terry said that had a great day and with sign and motion language didn't have any problems getting around the lake and finding fish.
Don Hollis weighing in his fish on day one
Terry yakking to John Stewart and of course he had a great day. As you can see he had 8 lbs. 4 oz. so maybe today he can get a bigger limit. That's it for today and will post more as the tournament progresses. Today he was going to the zoo to fish so had to run a very long way and it was very foggy today. But the weather should warm up today and be in the 70's. Hopefully high 70's tomorrow.
Sandy
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