Angler’s Choice Classic for this Weekend has been Canceled – October 1st 2015

ATTENTION ANGLER’S CHOICE TOURNAMENT FISHERMEN:THE GOVERNOR OF VA HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER AND THE THREAT OF HURRICANE JOAQUIN – FORCING US TO RESCHEDULE THE TOURNAMENT FOR NOVEMBER 7th & 8th, 2015. WE ARE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE. THANK YOU.

Dear Fellow Anglers

As most of you know we at Anglers Choice try very hard to accommodate every Angler that participates in the Anglers Choice Team trail. This has been an extremely grueling week for us in reference to the Classic Tournament on Kerr Lake. I have been in constant contact with the National Weather Service twice a day for the whole week. As late as Wednesday at 5:00 pm we still had a window of opportunity that we could at least have a one day classic and get everybody home safe. That window has closed. The weather has taken a different turn and things are looking worse for the coming weekend. As for the Hurricane there is still great uncertainty as to the track and timing of this storm that could also impact the Carolinas and Virginia.

The underlying factor for rescheduling this tournament came late yesterday when the Governor of Virginia issued a “State Of Emergency” and has asked all citizens of the Commonwealth to prepare for extreme flooding and hazardous conditions around the state. Citizens are being advised to start making preparations for this event. The last place we need to be is fishing at Kerr Lake when in reality we should be with our families in the event this situation with flooding should occur. I am also concerned with travel to and from the lake. I do not want you on the roads with the possibilities of trees coming down due to saturated grounds or stranded due to roads being closed.

I have been in constant contact with Scott Shanklin, Chief Park Ranger for Occoneechee State Park, and his recommendation this morning is for us to reschedule. They, as well as everybody else, are preparing for the flooding that is headed their way. They, like us, thought that Saturday would be a good day for fishing but the overnight changes have closed that thought process. The Dan River reached 19 foot flood stage last night at South Boston which according to State Park personnel would put it dumping in to Kerr Lake sometime Friday afternoon. This would mean the possibility of trees and debris floating down the lake as early as Friday night and Saturday. I am listening to their recommendation.

I have spoken to the Hotels in Clarksville and they are not going to charge fishermen for the cancellation of rooms since this has become an emergency situation. This will benefit you as a fisherman and save you from being charged cancellation fees.

I apologize for the late notice. We are looking at November 7 & 8 to reschedule this tournament, same venue as this weekend. We want you to be safe and as much as we would like to see you this weekend, we would feel much better knowing that you are home safe with family and friends and looking after your property, businesses, and most importantly, loved ones. I hope you understand and appreciate the efforts that have gone in to putting this thing on.  I know it is a borderline situation but when I have to err on one side or the other I will always err on the side of caution and for the safety of our fishermen.

To our folks already there, thank you for your efforts but please head home before all of the uncertain weather makes its way in this afternoon through the weekend. I know that not everybody will be happy with this decision. It is a no win situation for a tournament director. I do hope that you understand that this decision was based on many factors and the gathering of a lot of Intel and I always consider your safety as a first priority.

Kind Regards,

Chris Lucas

Tournament Director

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