Pennsylvania East Division

BELTZVILLE RECAP

On April 8th, 2006, 15 teams from the Pennsylvania – East division of The Fishers’ of Men National Tournament Trail braved the brutal elements as Mother Nature issued a belated April Fools trick with a freak snow/ice/sleet/hail and wind storm while they fished their 2nd event of the circuit season on Beltzville Lake located in the southernmost part of the Adirondack foothills. All the members unanimously voted to rename this division the “Alaska East” circuit as they have horrendous luck with bad weather over the years!

On this day, any team that managed to boat a 15+ inch keeper would end up cashing a check as only 3 bass were weighed in for a paltry 7.25 pound total. The three “lockjawed” fish were all caught in 20+ feet of water on blade baits and the biggest on a Carolina Rig just 20 minutes prior to weigh-in. For their diligence and unwillingness to quit early, Ray and Adam Caldwell were rewarded with over $800.00 for their 1st place finish and biggest largemouth of the tournament at 2.92 pounds. Finishing in second and taking the YTD points lead was Randy Follmer and Ken Ansbach, on the back of the biggest smallmouth of the tournament at 2.21 pounds. Their discomfort from the nasty elements was rewarded with 627.00, sure to warm up any wallet, no matter the conditions. Finishing in third place, weighing in the only other bass, a largemouth at 2.12 pounds was Jay Davoli and Nick Ferry. Their perseverance was rewarded as well, to the tune of over $300.00!

(click on a picture to view details)

Special thanks to Wayne Klingaman and the staff from Zion Evangelical for providing our Friday evening pre-tournament meeting place and dinner of spaghetti and meatballs with an awesome dessert of fresh homemade strawberry shortcake! As is always the case with any Fishers’ of Men event, we were excited about the opportunity to gather together for an awesome night of food, fellowship, pre-tournament planning, door prizes and powerful testimony. Divisional director Ian Godwin shared a message from Jimmy Houston’s newest book on the relatability of the tools we use in the sport of tournament fishing to those God uses to help us get closer to him. The parables were so strong that one individual was led to make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior while 4 more were motivated enough to proclaim a renewed commitment to return to God and follow Jesus in all areas of their lives!

There is still time to qualify for the East Regional Championships by fishing the last three events of the year and trust me, you do not want to miss this years East Regional Championship!

The remainder of the 2006 schedule for the PA - EAST division is as follows:

Tidal Susquehanna Flats – May 20th, 2006

Conowingo Reservoir – July 8th, 2006

Upper Chesapeake Bay (RQT) – July 29th, 2006

(For more information, make sure to visit http://www.sfvu.com/fishersofmen/PaEast2006.htm or http://www.fomntt.com or call the FOM Area Tournament Director at 410-256-2966 or e-mail him at igodwin@fomntt.com )

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our primary national sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards and Strike King Lure Company. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our other national sponsors, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods, Solar Bat Polarized Sunglasses, SOSpenders, Diamond Cut Jeans, Gary Yamamoto, Spike-It, Marshall’s Marine, Castrol, Motor Guide, Keel Shield, Shakespeare, Stanley Jigs, Lowrance, River Bottom Lures, Dual Pro Chargers, Jones Chevrolet, T&H Marine, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Jacob’s Glass, FishingWorld.com, X-Tools, Buckeye Lures, All-Terrain Tackle, Hot Rods Marine Care, Bass RX, Keep Alive Oxygen Infuser and Hooah Energy Bars and Drinks.

The Pennsylvania - East division is blessed to have the following regional divisional sponsors:

Sport Fishing Ventures Unlimited and its non-profit charitable giving foundation, Fishing Dreams Unlimited where every FOM Member in the nation gets “members only” treatment, discounts and special exclusive items and apparel ( http://sfvu.com/sfvustore/FOMdiscount.htm ). Call Bill at one of the nations largest and finest independent tackle dealers, Anglers Paradise (877-702-2500) and if you present your FOM membership card at checkout, you will get 15% off everything in his store. Call Chad at Halls Marine (570-546-2310) for your new Triton bass boat, whether it is fiberglass or aluminum. These guys rank as one of the nations premier dealerships and when you meet and talk with Chad and his staff, you will immediately know why! Ask him for the special Fishers’ of Men discount on your next Triton boat purchase. A special note of thanks to Brad Finch with Finch Services, your source for your next John Deere product as well as Jim Herr of Herr’s Snacks. All of these great local Christian businessman lead by example as they help support our ministry and I would ask that you consider supporting them with your next purchase.

We also want to thank Joe at Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits, Trey at Kistler Custom Rods, Gary at Solar Bat Polarized Sunglasses, Troy at Mizmo Tubes and Lizards, Randy at RoboWorm Finesse Handpoured Soft Plastics, Sam at Penetrator Slick Coated Tungsten Weights, Eric at Scent-Tec, Scott at Hammerhead Jigs and the National Promotions Team at Choice Hotels and Cracker Barrel restaurants, all of which help support your division locally. In addition, special thanks to Sharon and Bev from Prize Webworks for the great job they do with our website and to Rob Hager, your assistant director for all of his efforts and time in support of you and this tournament trail!