The first two day tournament of the Quinte Fishing Series 2004 season and fourth tournament of the year got underway from the George St. ramps in Belleville at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday August 7^th. Thirty six teams fished this two day event fishing for a limit of five (5) large or smallmouth bass with over $8,000.00 in cash and prizes going to the winners.

After day one, Napanee’s Grant Elliott and Karl Nuemayer led the field with a great all smallmouth weight of 19.25 lbs. In this bag was the "Big Fish" of the day of 4.96 lbs. which gave these two anglers $720.00. In second place going into day two were Dean Thompson and partner Mike Burriss with 18.64 lbs. and Belleville anglers, Jeff Kerr and Bill Brydson rounded out the top three with 18.21 lbs. Last years winners, Andy and Darcy Asselstine put themselves into contention once again weighing in 17.76 lbs putting them in fourth position - just 1.49 lbs. off the lead. With only 3.5 lbs. separating first from tenth place, any numbers of teams could make a move up to the top of the leader board on Sunday.

Day two saw calm waters once again and warmer temperatures which made for some better fishing for a number of teams. The weights at the 3:00 p.m. weigh in were very close with a number of teams taking their turn atop the leader board but after all teams had weighed in, Belleville’s Terry Langstaff and Brian Hadley from Frankford moved from 13^th place on day one to take the title. These veteran Quinte anglers weighed in an amazing bag of largemouth’s at 20.39 lbs. to give them a total of 35.49 lbs. and in this bag was the "Big Fish" of the weekend of 5.75 lbs.! "We had an amazing day" stated Brian. "By 7:20 we had three fish in the boat, including the "big one", and over the course of the day we probably culled over 16 lbs. of fish - we were throwing back 3.0 lb. fish!!" It was one of the best days we’ve ever had on the water" Terry told the crowd. These two anglers, Team of the Year winners in 2002, took home $2,550.00 for the win along with two Q.F.S. coats compliments of Mark’s Work Warehouse, a $50.00 gift certificate from Kelsey’s /Montana’s - Belleville and two 2004 Tournament Champion hats. Their big fish of the weekend also netted them the H2Optix by Bolle’ "Big Fish" award of $700.00 cash as well as two pairs of quality H2Optix sunglasses and trophy.

Second place went to the day one leaders, Grant Elliott and Karl Neumayer with a total weight of 35.03 lbs. "We went back to a couple of spots from yesterday, but the "big fish" just wouldn’t bite or weren’t their" said Karl. These anglers earned $1,700.00 for second to add to their $720.00 for "Big Fish" from day one. Moving up one position from Saturday were last years tournament champions, Andy and Darcy Asselstine with 17.25 lbs. on Sunday giving them a total weight of 35.01 lbs. The Asselstine’s received $1,000.00 cash and in fourth place and earning $700.00 were Deseronto’s Dean Thompson, 2003 Angler of the Year, and Napanee’s Mike Burriss weighing in a total of 34.61 lbs. 34.19 lbs. gave Trevor Davies and Randy Scero of Napanee fifth place and $440.00 and in sixth were the husband and wife team of Chris and Mary Ann Frazee with 33.95 lbs. and they received $220.00. Bill Brydson and Jeff Kerr claimed the seventh spot and they took home rods, reels and line compliments of Berkley/Abbu Garcia and baits from Bass Magnet Lures.

Tournament Director, Pete Thompson thanked all the anglers for their support and the many sponsors that support this growing Series. "As you can see again today, he said, the Bay of Quinte is an amazing fishery and is one of the top three in the province at this time. To have the option of fishing for smallmouth or largemouth bass is a real bonus and as this weekend showed, you can have big weight with either!" "I want to also thank Shimano Canada and the Canadian Fishing Tour for the use of the Live Release boat to transport these great bass back to be released into the Bay."

Anglers who fish at least five of the tournaments have a chance by totalling their tournament placings, of becoming the Quinte Fishing Series "Angler/Team of the Year". Last years winner, Dean Thompson once again is leading the way in 2004 but this race always goes down to the wire and will be decided at the last tournament, the Quinte Classic Sept. 18^th and 19^th once again at George Street in Belleville.

The next tournament is on Sunday, August 29^th, 2004 at Centennial Park in Deseronto and entries must be postmarked one week prior to the event. For further info please contact: Pete Thompson, Tournament Director at 613-967-1024.