East Regional Championships on Kerr Reservoir

Pennsylvania East Kerr Reservoir Recap

Seven teams for the Pennsylvania – East division competed October 14th and 15th at the 2005 East Regional Championships held on Kerr Reservoir. Teams launched out of Occoneechee State Park just outside of Clarksville, Virginia, the host city. Weather conditions for the first day were overcast and windy with water temperatures in the upper 60’s which led to a solid pattern for those fishing spinnerbaits in shallow pockets back half way in the northern creek arms. Day two was totally opposite with mile high blue skies but still a good stiff wind. Teams that adapted caught the required 14 plus inch bass primarily on jigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits with the better quality and quantity coming from way up in the main portions of the north rivers as well as Bluestone and Grassy Creeks.

No team from Pennsylvania – East finished with one of the top 7 slots nor earned checks from the $43,000 available pot by placing in the top 36 out of the 185 teams participating.

In addition, the Pennsylvania – East division unfortunately had no participants in the running for the automatic National Championship slot given to the highest finishing Adult Guy / Gal team and Adult / Junior team.

That being said, Joseph Dellavalle and Elizabeth Vallango, his fiancée, who despite just having a baby weeks earlier agreed to substitute for Joe’s normal partner, Dan Hawley, proved that perseverance pays off as they gutted out a broken motor on the second day but still earned an invitation to the 2005 National Championships to be held February 7-11th, 2006 by virtue of being the highest finishing Pennsylvania – East team outside the top seven with their two day total weight of 6.71 pounds placing them in the 69th position. They will join Michael and Barb Piccolo, the regular circuit season points leaders at the National Championships.

Joe and Elizabeth will also be featured on an upcoming Fishers’ of Men Outdoors television program as they did a great “Anglers Profile” interview.

Other Pennsylvania – East teams competing were:

Jason Porter / Terry Titus – 71st Place – 6.34 pounds

Ashley Shope / Jason Kesckes – 79th Place – 5.87 pounds

Perry Hixson / Chuck Hurst – 86th Place – 5.62 pounds

Bill Gartner / George Ellinger – 107th Place – 3.33 pounds

Brad Finch / George Little – 135th Place – 0.00 pounds

Elvin Martes – 135th Place – 0.00 pounds (No trolling motor either days)

Cornell Creciun / Rick Capper withdrew after Day One due to trolling motor challenges.