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Bassing and Boating
It was two in a row for Texas angler Gary Klein
STORY AND PHOTOS
Gary Klein must love southern Illinois. He took first place in the inaugural World Championship Fishing event, held on three southern Illinois lakes in 1999. In August, Klein returned for the second year of the event, and after three days of fishing and boating, the Texas angler walked away with his second victory. Sponsored by Lowe's Home Improvements, World Championship Fishing is a unique combination of tournament bass fishing and of power boating. Anglers fished three different lakes on three consecutive mornings, then navigated their bass boats through a series of high-speed maneuvers during the afternoon boat handling portion of the event. Southern Illinois fans must love the event, too. They lined the launching areas and followed the professional anglers around the lakes as they fished, and thousands of fans were on hand at Rend Lake Resort to watch the nationally known anglers run their boats through the boating course. The 16 professionals received points for their placement in the three days of fishing and for their ranking in the boating competition. The fishing portion of the event accounted for 60 percent of the scoring, while the boat handling determined 40 percent of the score. Fishing took place in Crab Orchard, Carlyle and Rend lakes during this year's event. Klein's winnings totaled $75,000 for the three-day event: $50,000 for the overall competition and $25,000 for the boat performance division. California angler
Skeet Reese won $25,000 for placing first in the angling division with 31 pounds, 14 ounces of bass during three days of fishing. South Carolina angler Davy Hite was seventh in boating and seventh in fishing, which was good enough to finish third overall and win $20,000. Texas angler Alton Jones and Mark Davis of Arkansas tied for fourth and won $7,500 each. The Illinois event drew high praise from fans and participants. Fans were able to mingle with some of the best professional anglers in the country, attend the daily weigh-ins and watch as the anglers put their bass boats through the series of high-speed turns. Best of all, it was all free. "We've got something happening here that's good for the sport," Reese said. "We're catching the eyes of youngsters and families, and that's good for the future of both fishing and boating."
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