When I got back in the boat I moved to the other side of the cut and dropped the Fluke by a bush on a gravel bank. It hit bottom then my line took off. When I set the hook a smallmouth almost pulled the rod out of my hand. Kevin did a great net job and I admired the 18 inch, 3 lb. 1 oz. bass with mixed feelings, then let it go. It weighed more by itself than the five spots I was to end up weighing in! For some reason, having to let that fish go took away what little confidence I had been building. It really shot me down for some reason.

I caught another 11 inch spot and put it in the livewell. I had four fish but no weight. We fished out of the creek by 1:00 PM and I told Kevin we should go try a place Fritz and I had seen fish on Thursday. We ran to that creek and I cast the Fluke to a bush on the bluff wall at the mouth. There were so many boats running in and out of this creek that the water was stained up, and it was rocking. I was not paying attention and suddenly realized my line was moving. When I set the hook a 12 inch spot jumped and threw the bait. I mentally kicked myself about 18 times then started paying better attention.

At 1:45 Dan pulled up with his camera and started filming. We talked a little and he said several people had some fish. I asked about Warren and Fritz, and he said yep, they got them good. That was not good news for me!

After Dan left I told Kevin we should go back to the first creek and end the day there. I caught a final 10 inch spot there to fill my limit, looked like a bait well rather than a live well with fish for weigh-in.

As we pulled up to the dock, I thought I heard Warren say he had a limit and one big smallmouth that would weigh 6 pounds. I figured that was about right, I would lose first and big fish! Warren asked me what I had and when I responded five but they would not weigh more than two pounds, he said congratulations on second place. That made me feel real good.....

As people started taking fish out of the wells and to the scales I saw I was not the only one with minnows. I got my five out and went to the scales. They weighed a whopping 3 pounds even. I think Charles got a picture of my little baby spot, it was not much bigger than a Fluke!

After everyone else had weighed in someone yelled scales closed as Warren went to get his fish. I asked Fritz if Warren had more than 7.5 pounds, a 1.5 pound average, and I was shocked when he said maybe not. I figured he needed about 8 pounds to beat me. When Warren’s fish hit the scales and I saw six pounds something, I was pretty sure I had won.

After all the counting was done I did win.

That night we went to a buffet and ate all we could hold, then returned to meet and get prizes. Fritz and I got first place team plaques and money for first day. Fritz and Warren got money and plaques for second day first place team. Having Fritz in the boat with you seems to be a good luck charm!

I also got a place for first overall and the beautiful Millennium custom rod and Scorpion reel. What a combo! I will be spoiled. The cash and plaque for big fish were icing on the cake.

After all the prizes were awarded we all talked a bit then headed to the cabin. Sunday morning Fritz got up early and headed north, and I headed south later for an uneventful trip home. I think I floated all the way, just like two years ago after the first NWC when I won it! It was a better feeling than the second place last year at the MTC, and better than the 7th place and big fish award at the second NWC last fall.