Pennsylvania West Division

Raystown Recap

On September 10th, 2005, nine teams from the Pennsylvania - West division of The Fishers' of Men National Tournament Trail finished out their '05 circuit season of five qualifying tournaments as they competed on Raystown Lake launching out of James Creek under a fog delay. This vast body of water which is the dammed portion of the famed Juniata River and tributaries had been absolutely on fire but the cooler than usual nights over the past week set up the scenario all highland reservoir fisherman dread, the beginning of fall turnover and the subsequent tough fishing. While only one team zeroed, no team could produce better than a three fish bag of 12+ inch bass with the field catching a total of just 16 bass for 27.59 pounds.

When all was said and done, the team of brothers, Ken and Ernie Pate, never looked back as they dominated a talented field all year long, capturing their second Points Championships in as many years as they claimed the $300.00 year end prize pot, not to mention the $200.00 for finishing 2nd in this RQT tournament with a weight of just 4.85 pounds. For the year, they amassed 994 out of a possible 1000 points, beating out 21 other teams on their way to weighing in 21 out of a possible 25 bass for a year end total of 41.83 pounds, all the while collecting $2084.00 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.

The father / son team of Ryan and Butch Fulks, having never fished this body of water before, figured things out quick as they captured 1st place and $554.00 by virtue of their 7.09 pound mixed bag of 2 smallies and 1 largemouth, their bag bolstered by the big bass of the tournament at 3.81 pounds. As mentioned before, 2nd place went to Ken Pate, fishing by himself with just a 9.9HP boat. Jamie Ferdarko and Chris Lanager finished one out of the money in 3rd place with 3.56 pounds while 4th place went to this years top adult guy / gal team, Louis Palmer and Mary Castelli. Rounding out the top five, having caught just one bass, Tom and Lea Ann Weaverling took second biggest bass honors with a 2.68lb smallmouth.

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 12 of the 21 teams participating split over $6500.00 as they weighed-in 136 bass for 284.25 pounds thru 5 qualifying events:

As the highest finishing Adult / Junior team, Rick and Ricky Maga along with the highest finishing Adult Guy / Gal team, Louis Palmer and Mary Castelli will join the top year end points winners, Pate / Pate (994), Bonser / Bittinger (973), Ferdarko / Lanager (819 - 2005 Comeback Team of the Year), Reich / Keene Sr. (777 - 2005 Rookie Team of the Year), Weaverling / Weaverling (771), Heckman / Heckman (768), DeZort / DeZort (594), Brown / Kawecki (585), Billeter / Fulks (583), Montgomery / Montgomery (575), Wagle / Wagle (574), Keene / Keene Jr. (543) and Baldwin / Rumbaugh (518) at the 2005 East Regional Championships.

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

Presque Isle Bay - November 5th, 2005
Raystown Lake - April 1st, 2006
Lake Erie - June 24th, 2006
Youghiogheny Reservoir - July 15th, 2006
Shenango Reservoir (RQT) - August 12th, 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 the Pastor James Stork of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church located in Huntingdon for providing our Friday evening pre-tournament meeting place as well as food. All the teams enjoyed a meal of roast pork, scalloped potatoes and homemade 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. 3 individuals were 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 Pam Prosser for helping coordinate use of the Huntingdon / Raystown facilities.

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 - West division is blessed to have the following regional divisional sponsors: Call Brian, Craig or Brad at one of the nations largest and finest independent tackle dealers, Woodlands World (866-472-6969) and if you present your FOM membership card at checkout, you will get 15% off everything (except firearms and related optics). 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 Melissa at Sport Fishing Ventures Unlimited, 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 Handpoured Soft Plastics, Sam at Penetrater Slick Coated Tungsten Weights, Joe at Secret Weapon Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits, the National Promotions Team at Choice Hotels as well as 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.