Utah Club Angler Leads B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional At Lake Mead

Utah’s Bill Brown caught 20 pounds, 11 ounces to lead on Day 1 of the Academy Sports & Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors on Lake Mead held out of Henderson, Nev.

April 6, 2016

Utah Club Angler Leads B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional At Lake Mead

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. — An emotionally charged day lifted Bill Brown of Utah into the lead at the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors event underway on Lake Mead.

Brown, of Grand Junction, Utah, caught 20 pounds, 11 ounces on Day 1 of the Western Regional.

“Two years ago, I lost my team partner and mentor and I’m fishing for him,” said Brown, of his longtime friend Kurt Walters. “Then last month I lost my dad to cancer.”

In his memory, Brown is competing in this tournament from Walters’ boat. What is more, Brown caught the fish putting him in the lead on a lure once used by Walters.

Understandably, he declined to discuss details about the lure. Brown, a member of the Top of Utah Bass Anglers, is targeting postspawn bass. He is doing so for a good reason.

“With spawning bass you are casting for individual fish,” he explained. “I don’t like to get locked down on one area, one fish.”

“The bass here are under a lot of fishing pressure, too, so running to different areas suits my style of fishing,” he continued. Instead of individual fish Brown is focused on specific areas of a given fishing location.

“It’s really spot on spot,” he explained. “There are pieces of cover I’m casting to and then moving on to another area.”

Brown might be just getting started on what might be an emotional win later in the week. “I left a bunch of fish behind, at least a couple of four pounders,” he said. “I know the areas where they are and I’ll go back tomorrow to catch them.”

Fishing pressure is of no concern to Brown. “I’m not at all worried about anyone catching my fish,” he continued. “In watching other anglers I’m doing something very different.”

The only tip Brown provided about his strategy is the water temperature. “It’s a few degrees warmer than most areas,” he said.

That clue says a lot about his choice of targeting bass that have spawned. As water temperatures rise after the spawn the fish begin migrating toward deeper water. That makes them easier to find under the fishing style chosen by Brown.

Most of the bass on Lake Mead have spawned, although some late bloomers can be caught. More options leave open the chance to expand strategies and have alternate plans if needed.

Competing on Lake Mead are 212 anglers from 11 western states. To be determined on Friday is the overall winner, the top finishing state team and qualifiers to bass fishing’s world championship.

Two anglers are paired with the boat owner and are allowed to keep five bass. The accompanying angler can keep three bass. A keeper bass measures at least 13 inches.

Utah’s 20 anglers collectively caught 177 pounds, 3 ounces to lead the team standings after Day 1. Brown, the overall leader and four teammates are inside the Top 10.

Nevada holds down second place with 176-7. Idaho is third with 170-8 and Arizona has 156-10 for fourth place. Colorado is fifth with 146-7.

This event is one of three regional tournaments qualifying anglers for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. The top boater and non-boater from each state advances to bass club fishing’s championship competition.

Callville Bay Resort and Marina is tournament headquarters. Anglers depart at 6:15 a.m. PT and return for the weigh-in beginning at 2:30 p.m.

2016 Academy Sports & Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional                                    presented by Magellan Outdoors 4/6-4/8Lake Mead, Henderson  NV.(BOATER) Standings Day 1

Angler                   Hometown              No./lbs-oz  Pts   Total $$$

1.  Bill Brown             Grand Junction, CO (UT) 5  20-11  02.  Anthony Salazar        Las Vegas, NV (NV)      5  16-06  03.  Timothy Klinger        Boulder City, NV (NV)   5  16-03  04.  Keegan Graves          Meridian, ID (ID)       5  15-13  05.  Kalib Lund             Glendale, AZ (AZ)       5  15-10  06.  Travis Graham          De Beque, CO (UT)       5  15-04  07.  Rick Culver            Taylor, UT (UT)         5  14-11  08.  Asa Stephenson         Henderson , NV (NV)     5  14-06  09.  Roger Mezenen          Morgan, UT (UT)         5  14-01  010. Brandon Genova         Denver, CO (CO)         5  14-00  010. Bubba O’Neill          Evanston, WY (WY)       5  14-00  012. Jesse Milicevic        Henderson, NV (NV)      5  13-13  013. Dane Lawrence          Butte, MT (OR)          5  13-11  014. Mark Lassagne          San Ramon, CA (CA)      5  13-10  015. Jason Crone            Kalispell, MT (MT)      5  13-06  016. Ben Byrd               Moab, UT (UT)           5  13-03  017. Tucker Cappella        Alcova, WY (WY)         5  12-15  017. Nicholas Fitzsimmons   Lyle, WA (OR)           5  12-15  019. Tim Johnston           Kalispell , MT (MT)     5  12-13  020. Darrell Ocamica        Payette, ID (ID)        5  12-12  021. Jason Hemminger        Oxnard, CA (CA)         5  12-08  022. David Kromm            Kennewick, WA (WA)      5  12-07  022. Mike Lavallee          Sandy, UT (UT)          5  12-07  022. David Mays             Portland, OR (OR)       5  12-07  022. David Naugle           Las Vegas, NV (NV)      5  12-07  026. Kevin Wiggins          Las Vegas, NV (NV)      5  12-04  027. Sean Minderman         Spokane, WA (WA)        5  12-03  028. Justin Campbell        Pasco, WA (WA)          5  12-02  028. Mike Dominick          Alberton, MT (MT)       5  12-02  030. James Hawkes           Apache Juntion, AZ (AZ) 5  12-01  031. Greg Taylor            Tucson, AZ (AZ)         5  12-00  032. Nate Caldwell          Ft Collins, CO (CO)     5  11-15  032. Patrick Davis          Henderson, NV (NV)      5  11-15  034. Chase Colby            Heber City, UT (UT)     5  11-14  034. Brent Shores           Boise, ID (ID)          5  11-14  036. Pete Acosta            Brighton, CO (CO)       5  11-13  037. David Smith Sr         Albuquerque, NM (NM)    5  11-11  038. Bill Golightly         Preston, ID (WY)        5  11-09  038. Ron Mace               Kennewick, WA (WA)      5  11-09  040. David Flemming         Highlands Ranch, CO (CO 5  11-07  040. Jacob Russell          Tucson, AZ (AZ)         5  11-07  042. Matt Fish              Pasco, WA (WA)          5  11-04  042. Kelly Lee              Twin Falls, ID (ID)     5  11-04  044. Rodney Brown           Sacramento, CA (CA)     5  11-03  045. Larry Triplett         Castle Rock, CO (CO)    5  11-02  046. Jason Hickey           Weiser, ID (ID)         5  11-00  047. Jay Evans              Corvallis, MT (MT)      4  10-11  048. Don Dethloff Jr        Coeur d Alene, ID (ID)  4  10-10  049. Ty Faber               Pagosa Springs, CO (CO) 5  10-09  050. Dan Jordan             Camas, WA (OR)          5  10-08  051. Jim Davis              Eagle, ID (ID)          5  10-06  052. Brian Bolander         Scottsdale, AZ (AZ)     5  10-05  052. Reid Smith             Bozeman, MT (MT)        5  10-05  054. Randy Campbell         Sandia Park, NM (NM)    3  10-05  055. Lloyd Gilreath Sr      Boise, ID (ID)          4  10-04  056. Joe Johnson            Orem, UT (UT)           5  10-03  057. William Barkley        Kalispell, MT (MT)      4  10-02  058. Steve Lund             Glendale, AZ (AZ)       5  10-01  059. Gerald Kimzey          Willcox, AZ (AZ)        5  09-15  060. Chris Gilkison         Bakersfield, CA (CA)    5  09-14  060. Tony Shuyler           Eagle , ID (ID)         5  09-14  062. Kent Thomson           Millville, UT (UT)      5  09-13  063. Kyle Gelles            Pingree, ID (WY)        5  09-12  063. Mark Warren            Castle Rock, CO (CO)    5  09-12  063. Alan Zamora            North Las Vegas, NV (NV 5  09-12  066. Joe Raftery            Las Vegas, NV (NV)      5  09-11  067. Kim Pfaff              Deer Lodge, MT (MT)     4  09-10  068. Sean Andrachick        Marion, MT (MT)         5  09-07  069. Ron Welch              Corona, CA (CA)         5  09-05  070. Byron Chaves           Tyler, TX (OR)          5  09-02  071. Travis Jarvis          Wilder, ID (ID)         5  09-01  072. Jason Virgil           Hermiston, OR (OR)      4  08-14  073. Kenny Oldham           Coalville, UT (WY)      3  08-13  074. Andy Bravence          Globe, AZ (AZ)          4  08-04  075. JL Neal                Bend, OR (OR)           3  08-04  076. Moe Gutierrez          Albuquberque, NM (NM)   5  08-02  077. Gary Collins           Moorpark, CA (CA)       4  08-02  078. Rhett Fornof           Midway, UT (UT)         5  07-12  079. Thomas Edwards         Gilbert, AZ (AZ)        4  07-09  080. Bryan Kurata           Thousand Oaks, CA (CA)  3  07-01  081. Jason Hooper           Salem, OR (OR)          4  07-00  082. Mark Hilyer            Libby, MT (MT)          4  06-15  083. Steven Wilson          Rohnert Park, CA (CA)   3  06-15  084. Stephen Tauriello      Las Vegas, NV (NV)      4  06-12  085. Todd Gentzel           Colorado Springs, CO (C 4  06-02  086. Garry Harner           Milliken, CO (CO)       3  06-02  087. Mitch Ratchford        Kennewick, WA (WA)      2  06-00  088. Derek Phillips         Castle Rock, CO (CO)    3  05-13  089. Randell Bell           Elephant Butte, NM (NM) 3  05-11  089. Joe Cole               Coalville, UT (WY)      3  05-11  091. Earl Conway            Albuquerque, NM (NM)    4  05-07  092. Jeremy Percifield      Kennewick, WA (WA)      3  05-06  093. Wade Macias            Gallup, NM (NM)         2  04-04  094. Johnny Johnson         Farmington, NM (NM)     2  03-14  095. Jon Kelley             Arvin, CA (CA)          1  03-10  096. Stan Fisher            Trout Creek, MT (MT)    2  03-05  097. Joe Ramirez            Bayard, NM (NM)         1  02-14  097. Richard Shaff Jr       Richland, WA (WA)       1  02-14  099. Dan Betz               Hood River, OR (OR)     1  02-12  0100. Mario Carreon          Las Cruces, NM (NM)     1  02-04  0101. Rick Mason             Glendale, AZ (AZ)       1  01-14  0102. Don Welch              Morgan Hill, CA (CA)    1  01-08  0103. Robert Gritski         Goldendale, OR (OR)     1  01-07  0104. Donnie Gatling         Albuquerque, NM (NM)    0  00-00  0104. Chris James            Tacoma, WA (WA)         0  00-00  0104. Jonathan Lumper        Kennewick, WA (WA)      0  00-00  0———————————————————————–

———————————————————————–TotalsDay   #Limits    #Fish      Weight1       67       437       1024-12———————————-67       437      1024-12

TEAM STANDINGS Day 1———————————-State                Lbs-Oz1 UTAH                 177-032 NEVADA               176-073 IDAHO                170-084 ARIZONA              156-105 COLORADO             146-076 MONTANA              144-157 OREGON               141-008 CALIFORNIA           126-049 WASHINGTON           120-0110 WYOMING               97-0411 NEW MEXICO            90-01

INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1———————————————————————–

WASHINGTONAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 David Kromm          Kennewick, WA               5   12-07  02 Sean Minderman       Spokane, WA                 5   12-03  03 Justin Campbell      Pasco, WA                   5   12-02  04 Ron Mace             Kennewick, WA               5   11-09  05 Matt Fish            Pasco, WA                   5   11-04  06 Mitch Ratchford      Kennewick, WA               2   06-00  07 Jeremy Percifield    Kennewick, WA               3   05-06  08 Richard Shaff Jr     Richland, WA                1   02-14  09 Chris James          Tacoma, WA                  0   00-00  09 Jonathan Lumper      Kennewick, WA               0   00-00  0

IDAHOAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Keegan Graves        Meridian, ID                5   15-13  02 Darrell Ocamica      Payette, ID                 5   12-12  03 Brent Shores         Boise, ID                   5   11-14  04 Kelly Lee            Twin Falls, ID              5   11-04  05 Jason Hickey         Weiser, ID                  5   11-00  06 Don Dethloff Jr      Coeur d Alene, ID           4   10-10  07 Jim Davis            Eagle, ID                   5   10-06  08 Lloyd Gilreath Sr    Boise, ID                   4   10-04  09 Tony Shuyler         Eagle , ID                  5   09-14  010 Travis Jarvis        Wilder, ID                  5   09-01  0

OREGONAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Dane Lawrence        Butte, MT                   5   13-11  02 Nicholas Fitzsimmons Lyle, WA                    5   12-15  03 David Mays           Portland, OR                5   12-07  04 Dan Jordan           Camas, WA                   5   10-08  05 Byron Chaves         Tyler, TX                   5   09-02  06 Jason Virgil         Hermiston, OR               4   08-14  07 JL Neal              Bend, OR                    3   08-04  08 Jason Hooper         Salem, OR                   4   07-00  09 Dan Betz             Hood River, OR              1   02-12  010 Robert Gritski       Goldendale, OR              1   01-07  0

ARIZONAAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Kalib Lund           Glendale, AZ                5   15-10  02 James Hawkes         Apache Juntion, AZ          5   12-01  03 Greg Taylor          Tucson, AZ                  5   12-00  04 Jacob Russell        Tucson, AZ                  5   11-07  05 Brian Bolander       Scottsdale, AZ              5   10-05  06 Steve Lund           Glendale, AZ                5   10-01  07 Gerald Kimzey        Willcox, AZ                 5   09-15  08 Andy Bravence        Globe, AZ                   4   08-04  09 Thomas Edwards       Gilbert, AZ                 4   07-09  010 Rick Mason           Glendale, AZ                1   01-14  0

WYOMINGAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Bubba O’Neill        Evanston, WY                5   14-00  02 Tucker Cappella      Alcova, WY                  5   12-15  03 Bill Golightly       Preston, ID                 5   11-09  04 Kyle Gelles          Pingree, ID                 5   09-12  05 Kenny Oldham         Coalville, UT               3   08-13  06 Joe Cole             Coalville, UT               3   05-11  0

NEW MEXICOAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 David Smith Sr       Albuquerque, NM             5   11-11  02 Randy Campbell       Sandia Park, NM             3   10-05  03 Moe Gutierrez        Albuquberque, NM            5   08-02  04 Randell Bell         Elephant Butte, NM          3   05-11  05 Earl Conway          Albuquerque, NM             4   05-07  06 Wade Macias          Gallup, NM                  2   04-04  07 Johnny Johnson       Farmington, NM              2   03-14  08 Joe Ramirez          Bayard, NM                  1   02-14  09 Mario Carreon        Las Cruces, NM              1   02-04  010 Donnie Gatling       Albuquerque, NM             0   00-00  0

CALIFORNIAAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Mark Lassagne        San Ramon, CA               5   13-10  02 Jason Hemminger      Oxnard, CA                  5   12-08  03 Rodney Brown         Sacramento, CA              5   11-03  04 Chris Gilkison       Bakersfield, CA             5   09-14  05 Ron Welch            Corona, CA                  5   09-05  06 Gary Collins         Moorpark, CA                4   08-02  07 Bryan Kurata         Thousand Oaks, CA           3   07-01  08 Steven Wilson        Rohnert Park, CA            3   06-15  09 Jon Kelley           Arvin, CA                   1   03-10  010 Don Welch            Morgan Hill, CA             1   01-08  0

MONTANAAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Jason Crone          Kalispell, MT               5   13-06  02 Tim Johnston         Kalispell , MT              5   12-13  03 Mike Dominick        Alberton, MT                5   12-02  04 Jay Evans            Corvallis, MT               4   10-11  05 Reid Smith           Bozeman, MT                 5   10-05  06 William Barkley      Kalispell, MT               4   10-02  07 Kim Pfaff            Deer Lodge, MT              4   09-10  08 Sean Andrachick      Marion, MT                  5   09-07  09 Mark Hilyer          Libby, MT                   4   06-15  010 Stan Fisher          Trout Creek, MT             2   03-05  0

UTAHAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Bill Brown           Grand Junction, CO          5   20-11  02 Travis Graham        De Beque, CO                5   15-04  03 Rick Culver          Taylor, UT                  5   14-11  04 Roger Mezenen        Morgan, UT                  5   14-01  05 Ben Byrd             Moab, UT                    5   13-03  06 Mike Lavallee        Sandy, UT                   5   12-07  07 Chase Colby          Heber City, UT              5   11-14  08 Joe Johnson          Orem, UT                    5   10-03  09 Kent Thomson         Millville, UT               5   09-13  010 Rhett Fornof         Midway, UT                  5   07-12  0

COLORADOAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Brandon Genova       Denver, CO                  5   14-00  02 Nate Caldwell        Ft Collins, CO              5   11-15  03 Pete Acosta          Brighton, CO                5   11-13  04 David Flemming       Highlands Ranch, CO         5   11-07  05 Larry Triplett       Castle Rock, CO             5   11-02  06 Ty Faber             Pagosa Springs, CO          5   10-09  07 Mark Warren          Castle Rock, CO             5   09-12  08 Todd Gentzel         Colorado Springs, CO        4   06-02  09 Garry Harner         Milliken, CO                3   06-02  010 Derek Phillips       Castle Rock, CO             3   05-13  0

NEVADAAngler               Hometown                   No./lbs-oz Total $$$1 Anthony Salazar      Las Vegas, NV               5   16-06  02 Timothy Klinger      Boulder City, NV            5   16-03  03 Asa Stephenson       Henderson , NV              5   14-06  04 Jesse Milicevic      Henderson, NV               5   13-13  05 David Naugle         Las Vegas, NV               5   12-07  06 Kevin Wiggins        Las Vegas, NV               5   12-04  07 Patrick Davis        Henderson, NV               5   11-15  08 Alan Zamora          North Las Vegas, NV         5   09-12  09 Joe Raftery          Las Vegas, NV               5   09-11  010 Stephen Tauriello    Las Vegas, NV               4   06-12  0

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