QUINTE FISHING SERIES

* Thirty-eight teams, a new high for our walleye tournament, had to wait an extra 25 minutes past the 7:00 a.m. start time as early morning fog had rolled in and delayed the start. Two-person teams fished till the 4:00 p.m. check-in time and were allowed to weigh-in four(4) walleye per team with fish having to measure at least 14" in length. With the M.N.R. slot regulations still in place, teams were restricted to weighing in a maximum of two fish over 63 cm. and two under48 cm.

* Although the morning was overcast with some light rain, the afternoon cleared up and the sun came out in time for the weigh-in. After the last fish came to the scales, Belleville’s Terry Langstaff and Brian Hadley from Frankford took the first place honours with a weight of 14.02 lbs. and with that $1,700.00 as well as two waterproof coats compliments of Mark’s Work Warehouse, A $50.00 Gift Certificate from Kelsey’s-Montanna’s, Belleville and two Quinte Fishing Series - Tournament Champion hats.

* Second spot went to Jeff Toppings of Picton and Napanees Larry Pringle with a weight of 13.00 lbs. and in that bag a nice walleye of 6.64 lbs. This fish earned them the H2Optix Big Fish Award of two pairs of quality H2Optix sun- glasses, the pool money of $720.00 and the Big Fish trophy. These anglers also took home an additional $1,100.00 for this second place finish. Rounding out the top three with a weight of 9.98 lbs. were Rob Coolahan from Tweed and partner Kevin Lavers of Picton and they took home $800.00.

* Father and son team, Dean and Bart Thompson with a weight of 9.54 lbs. took the fourth place position and in fifth with a weight of 8.32 lbs. were Andy and Darcy Asselstine. These anglers took home $475.00 and $280.00 respectively for their day on the water. The Lawrence brothers, Tom and Steve took the final money payout for sixth place for their 8.28 lb. bag and the Papiest brothers, Tom and Ralph for seventh place received two $50.00 certificates for soft plastic baits from Bass Magnet Lures.

* Anglers who fish at least five of the tournaments have a chance by totalling their tournament placings, of becoming the Quinte Fishing Series "Team of the Year". New for 2003, the Q.F.S. is now affiliated with the Canadian Fishing Tour and the "team of the year" will qualify for the C.F.T.’s One Day Series Classic in 2004 and a chance at a first place prize of over $35,000.00!!

* Our next tournament is June 29^th and will be the first of five(5) bass tournaments for the Quinte Fishing Series and will run out of South George Street in Belleville. The number of entrants/teams for tournaments are increasing each year and tournament officials are expecting over 50 teams for the bass tournaments this season. Entries must be postmarked one week prior to the tournament date, so get your entries in today!!