Pennsylvania East Division

Susquehanna River - Goldsboro Pool Recap

On August 20th, 2005, nine teams from the Pennsylvania - East division of The Fishers' of Men National Tournament Trail finished out their '05 circuit season of five qualifying tournaments as they competed on the Goldsboro Pool of the famed Susquehanna River. Like most river systems across America, the 100 degree heat of July and August this year has taken its toll as water levels are extremely low and current flow was almost at a standstill, making fishing conditions brutal. Add to this a minimum size length of 15+ inches and you can see why only 4 total fish were caught weighing in at just 8.13lbs.

With a points championship up for grabs, even more was on the line for four of the teams still mathematically in it going into this final weigh-in. The super tough conditions actually played to the advantage of the eventual winners of the 2005 Anglers of the Year, despite them "zeroing" with no legal fish caught. When all was said and done, the husband / wife team of Michael and Barb Piccolo squeaked by with just a one point margin, capturing the Points Championship and the $330.00 year end prize pot. For the year, they amassed 983 out of a possible 1000 points, beating out 21 other teams on their way to weighing in 12 out of a possible 25 bass for a year end total of 23.32 pounds, all the while collecting $1685.00 in prize money. Great year guys, congratulations to the both of you for being awesome "fisher's of men" as well as deserving champions! The entire membership extends their best wishes as you represent the division at the "no entry fee" Fishers' of Men Tournament Trail's National Championship to be held February 7-11th, 2006.

This year's points runner-ups as well as Rookies of the Year, Brad Finch and George Little gave it everything they had by winning this final event and the $562.00 1st prize money with just two smallmouth weighing 3.89 pounds including the big bass of the tournament at 2.29 pounds. Ken Fleming and David Bowser, fishing with us for the first time claimed second place, weighing in just one 2.16lb smallie worth $284.00 as the 2nd biggest bass of the event. Weighing in the only other fish, a 2.08lb largemouth caught in the last 5 minutes of the tournament, Elvin Martes finished one out of the money in 3rd place.

(click on a picture to view details)

We are excited to offer the following teams invitations to the big 2005 East Regional Championships to be conducted on Kerr Reservoir this October, based on their performances this year, after finishing a season where 9 of the 21 teams participating split over $6900.00 as they weighed-in 132 bass for 246.56 pounds thru 5 qualifying events:

As the highest finishing Adult / Junior team, Jim and Colin Shinn will join the top year end points winners, Piccolo / Piccolo (983 - Also Highest Finishing Adult Guy / Gal), Finch / Little (982 - Rookies of the Year), Porter / Titus (975), Martes / Cosenza (971), Gartner / Ellinger (962), Hixson / Hurst (922), Gardiner / Gardiner (772), Klingaman / Nallon (770), Dellavalle / Hawley (769), Shope / Kesckes (737 - Comeback Team of the Year), Creciun / Capper (591) and Follmer / Follmer (585) at the 2005 East Regional Championships.

We are also excited to announce the 2006 schedule, beginning in the fall of 2005, for the PA - EAST division as the following:

Lake Wallenpaupack - October 29th, 2005
Beltzville Lake - April 8th, 2006
Tidal Susquehanna Flats - May 20th, 2006
Conowingo Reservoir - July 8th, 2006
Upper Chesapeake Bay (RQT) - July 29th, 2006

(Dates tentative until permit approval or due to major unforeseen conflict, for more information visit http://www.sfvu.com/fishersofmen/index.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 )

Special thanks to Pastor Ronnie Riggins and his entire staff at New Life Baptist church located just south of Harrisburg for providing our Friday evening pre-tournament meeting place as well as food. All the teams enjoyed a meal of some of the finest Hawaiian teriyaki chicken and scalloped potatoes I have ever had along with homemade tiramisu and cheesecake desserts. 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 Al and Ron Lindner, fishing legends and Christian business owner icons that for the second year in a row, provided a wonderful video message featuring many famous professional fisherman such as Jimmy Houston and Shaw Grigsby and their relatable stories of their journey towards the truth, light and way to eternal salvation via the saving grace from the greatest "fisher of men" of all, Jesus Christ. 1 individual felt the pull to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior while another individual was led to proclaim a renewed commitment to return to God and follow Jesus in all areas of their lives!

We would like to recognize the efforts of all our volunteers with special recognition to Rob Hager, Assistant Director who has been an absolute "gift" for the tireless work he does on behalf of all the FOM members, as well as my wife Rita and children, Chelsea, Olivia and Taylor who not only helped this year but also gave me the freedom to travel like I have to on behalf of serving as a volunteer for FOM. A big thanks to Ken Fleming for helping coordinate this event.

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. 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 Finesse Handpours, Sam at Penetrater 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 Infuser, Deka Marine Master Batteries, Jacob's Glass, FishingWorld.com, X-Tools, The Spot Remover, All-Terrain Tackle, Hot Rods Marine Care and Bass Rx.