Pennsylvania East Division

Conowingo Reservoir Recap

On August 6th, 2005 we had 14 teams from the Pennsylvania – East division of The Fishers’ of Men National Tournament Trail compete on Conowingo Reservoir launching out of Dorsey Park. This body of water, which sits on the Maryland / Pennsylvania border, is the last pool of the Susquehanna River before it dumps into the Upper Chesapeake Bay. Traditionally a good “numbers” body of water with an equal mix of largemouth and smallmouth, the heat of 2005 took its toll on both anglers and fish as no limits were caught and one fish put you in the money! Only 10 bass were brought to the scales for a total weight of a meager 11.44 pounds.

Michael and Barbara Piccolo made the best of their two bass at 3.30 pounds including the biggest largemouth of the event to win this tournament, the $896.00 in prize money and more importantly, their hold on the year end points championship race. Mike reported catching his two keepers within the first 5 casts down lake on crankbaits. Brad Finch and George Little used their jet boat to fish the opposite end way up in the rocks to manage just one fish at 1.17 pounds to claim 2nd place. At days end, that fish, the biggest smallmouth of the tournament, would end up being worth $460.00! Finishing one out of the money was the adult / junior team of Jim and Colin Shinn while the leading rookie team of Jason Porter and Terry Titus finished 4th and Wayne Klingaman and Brian Nallon rounded out the top 5 with one bass at 1.06 lbs.

The final tournament of the circuit season for the Pennsylvania – East division will be on August 20th, 2005 on the Goldsboro Pool of the famed Susquehanna River. All the information for this event can be found at our national website www.FOMNTT.com under the Schedules tab or for more detailed information, at http://www.sfvu.com by double clicking on the FOM logo, then hitting the PA-East button.

I want to personally express my gratitude to Jim Herr and all his staff at the Herr’s Snack Factory, the nations largest privately held Christian run snack manufacturer, for providing our meeting place as well as sponsoring our meal of pit roasted chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, macaroni salad and a myriad of homemade desserts personally catered by Jen Kiebler and Diane Hager. 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. A special thanks to John Fields who provided our gospel message on the topic of “Off Limits”. He related how God and the Devil have different areas in our lives and actions that we have free will to honor the “off limits” rules just like we all have in tournaments. 1 person’s life was forever changed as they accepted Jesus Christ and his gift of everlasting life. 7 more individuals were so moved by the message that they were motivated to proclaim a renewed commitment to return to God and follow Jesus in all areas of their lives!

We would like to recognize the special efforts of Rob Hager, our assistant director as well as Tim Chadwick and Joe Tomaloff for helping with set-up and tear-down. Thanks also to Ginny Woolens for being the face for Herr’s Snacks at our pre-tournament meeting and helping to make things run so smooth!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our primary national sponsors: Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Strike King Lure Company, Kistler Custom Fishing Rods and Presnell Plantation Services.

The Pennsylvania - East division is blessed to have the following regional divisional sponsors: 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. Again, a special note of thanks to Jim Herr of Herr’s Snacks as well as Trey at Kistler Custom Rods, Gary at Solar Bat Polarized Sunglasses, Troy at Mizmo Tubes and Lizards, Tom at RoboWorm & Zipper Finesse Handpoured Worms, Sam at Penetrator Slick Coated Tungsten Weights, Joe at Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits and the National Promotions Team at Sport Fishing Ventures Unlimited (http://www.sfvu.com), Choice Hotels and Cracker Barrel restaurants.

I would also like to thank our other National Sponsors which include: Gary Yamamoto, Spike-It, Marshall’s Marine, Castrol, V&M Plastics, Motor Guide, Keel Shield, Solar Bat, Stanley Jigs, Lowrance, The Original Fish Formula, Dual Pro Chargers, Keep Alive Oxygen Infusor, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Jacob’s Glass, FishingWorld.com, X-Tools, The Spot Remover, All-Terrain Tackle, Hot Rods Marine Care and Bass Rx.