Weighing in the largest weight of the weekend, The 2004Quinte Fishing Series "Team of the Year", Deseronto's Dean Thompson and Mike Burriss from Napanee came from 15th place on Saturday to take the win in the first two day tournament of the 2005 season.  These two anglers weighed in 19.92 lbs. on Sunday to go along with their 16.41 lbs. from Saturday giving them a total of 36.33 lbs. and the first place cheque of $2,800.00, a $50.00 gift certificate compliments of Kelsey's/Montana's, Belleville and two fleece coats from Mark's Work Warehouse.  Dean and Mike have not had the same start to the 2005 season as they did in 2004 when they won or placed second in the opening tournaments but this win will serve notice to the rest of the field that they are back and want the title again. 

   Forty six boats/teams, the largest two day field in Quinte Fishing Series history, blasted off Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. under calm waters and clear, humid conditions with check in at 4:00 p.m. at the ramps at George St. in Belleville.  "It's great to see the mumber of teams entered for this two day event" said tournament director, Pete Thompson.  "Our entries this year are up from last, and with the Bay of Quinte being such a great bass fishery, we expect to see that continue for the rest of the season".  After day one, Napanee's Andy and Darcy Asselstine led with 18.70 lbs. with Corbyville's Chris Sherman and Dave Henderson in second with 18.18 lbs. and rounding out the top three were Tweed's Ron Ellery and John O'Brien from Brighton with 18.10 lbs.  "With only 2.29 lbs. separating first from fifteenth place on day one, the tournament is by know means over, stated Thompson, as any of these top teams could move up in the standings or some of the top ten teams after day one could move down"‑ and that is just what a number of anglers did including the winners Thompson and Burriss!

   When the final teams had weighed in on Sunday, following Thompson and Burriss and taking second place were Brian Hadley from Frankford and Belleville's Terry Langstaff with a two day total weight of 35.20 lbs.  These local anglers came from sixth place on Saturday to take the $2,100.00 for finishing second and day one leaders, Andy and Darcy Asselstine dropped from first place on day one to third overall for the weekend with 34.97 lbs. and they took home $1,500.00.  "The Asselstine's had engine trouble on Sunday and ended up changing boats" explained Thompson, but these are very competitive anglers and even using unfamiliar equipment they managed to stay near the top and finish in the money."

   Fourth place went to Belleville's Rob Mitchell and Michael Joron with 34.73 lbs. giving them $900.00 with Sherman and Henderson dropping three positions from Saturday and taking fifth place overall with 33.82 lbs. and receiving $650.00.  The Papiest brothers from Toronto/Richmond Hill, weighed in 33.40 moving up eight positions and claimed sixth place and $440.00 and in seventh with 33.06 lbs. and getting $220.00 were Troy Maracle and Larry Pringle from Tyendinaga and Napanee.

   The Q.F.S./ Minnow Shack "115 H.P. and Under Award" for the top placed team using an engine 115 H.P. or less went to Ron Ellery and John O'Brien with a two day weight of 30.03 lbs.  These anglers received $220.00 as well as $50.00 worth of quality plastic baits compliments of Bass Magnet Lures.  These area anglers, who are fishing the Series for just the second season, also had the Big Fish of the weekend, a 5.29 lb. largemouth and in doing so receive the H2Optix by Bolle` "Big Fish" award including two pairs of quality H2Optix sunglasses, $920.00 big fish pool and trophy.  Big Fish winners for Sunday were Belleville's Bill Tripp and Frank Mondeville and they also received $920.00 in cash for their largemouth bass weighing 4.75 lbs.

   The next tournament for the Series will be in Trenton(Quinte West) on August 7th, at the boat launch on the east side of the river(arena side) and entries must be postmarked by July 31st.   For further info please call tournament director, Pete Thompson at 613‑967‑1024 or Rick Somerville, weigh master at 613‑968‑7428.