Open Championship

[Swede]

I spoke with Stan today.  He's been fishing for two days in prep for the championship.  Yesterday he caught some solid keepers with a 3 lb fish being his biggest.  Today - the cold front moved through and fishing became considerably tougher.  He caught just one today.  He will continue his search for the bigger bite tomorrow and will be checking in between 3 and 5 pm to get his first day partner.  Good luck Stan and stay tuned here for daily updates.

[Swede]

Doesn't look like Stan is alone in the slow down of the bite - that is if you listen to the dock talk.  Did not talk to him today, but Bassmaster has some initial coverage on their site - link follows.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/opens/news/story?

[Swede]

Arkansas angler Mike McClelland leads day 1 with 17lbs 12ozs.  Doug Garrett caught the big one going 7lbs 12ozs.  Now that is a hoss for the river.  Complete story not yet posted - waiting word on Stan.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/opens/index

[Swede]

Here's a followup to previous post -

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/opens/news/story?page=tourn_05_Open_Champ_Alabama_River_day1

[Swede]

HOLY COW - our very own Stan Chandler is in 3rd place after the opening day!!!  8lbs 7ozs.  1lb 2 oz out of the lead on the nonboater side.  Stan "The Man" Chandler continues to tear up the big tourneys with some nice stringers.  Way to go STAN!!!

[Swede]

I am sure Bassmaster will have their site updated soon, but I have the word from the horses mouth.  Stan called and said he got paired with a guy from Washington State and did not catch a fish.  AND...... he fell........all the way........to 7th.  YES!!!!  Stan will be fishing tomorrowin the final round and is roughly 4 pounds out of 1st.  He is paired up with his first day partner (John Pollard) believe it or not (coincidence) and will be fishing for spotted bass as he did on day one.  Site just updated.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/opens/news/story?

[Swede]

Stan and the rest of the nonboaters all done competing.  Stan finished up in 7th place overall.  Way to go Stan!!  Get all the details via the link below:

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/opens/news/story?page=tourn_05_Open_Champ_Alabama_River_stand_day3

[Swede]

Boaters finished up today. Randy Howell brought the biggest sack to the scales today - 12+ lbs.  McClelland hung on to his lead all three days for the victory. 

1.  Mike McClelland        Bella Vista, Ark.      20  46-09  320   $79,539.00
  Day 1: 5   17-12    Day 2: 5   11-04    Day 3: 5   10-01    Day 4: 5    7-08   
2.  Rick Morris            Lanexa, Va.            19  44-14  295   $49,816.00
  Day 1: 5   12-00    Day 2: 5   14-09    Day 3: 5    9-15    Day 4: 4    8-06   
3.  Chad Brauer            Osage Beach, Mo.       20  41-15  290   $30,037.00
  Day 1: 5    7-15    Day 2: 5   15-07    Day 3: 5   11-09    Day 4: 5    7-00   
4.  Randy Howell           Springville, Ala.      18  41-03  285   $12,500.00
  Day 1: 3    4-13    Day 2: 5   14-00    Day 3: 5    9-07    Day 4: 5   12-15   
5.  Mark Menendez          Paducah, Ky.           18  30-09  280    $9,500.00
  Day 1: 5    7-15    Day 2: 5   13-02    Day 3: 5    6-08    Day 4: 3    3-00   

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/opens/news/story?page=tourn_05_Open_Champ_Alabama_River_day4