Today, we’ve got some good news and some bad news:
Jake Ormond of Sterlington caught 42 pounds, nine ounces of bass to place 12th in his first tournament as a rookie on the FLW tour this past weekend on Sam Rayburn in Texas. He pocketed $11,000 for the catch!
That’s not all. Monroe’s Hunter Freeman landed 41-12 to finish 16th and also won $11,000. And our other local entrant, Tyler Stewart of West Monroe, finished 26th with 32-10 in the tournament, winning $10,500.
Not bad, fellows. Not bad! Keep it up!
John Cox of DeBary, Fla, won the event with a four-day total of 65-15 was enough to get the win by a 2-pound, 7-ounce margin and earn his fifth career victory in FLW pro-level competition. Each of those five victories have come from a different fishery and a different state.
“This was the best win I’ve ever had,” said Cox, who moved into a tie with David Dudley at No. 6 all-time with five career wins. “I usually start off the year pretty slow and get better through the season. To start the season with a win, I don’t even know what to say. I’m so thankful – this is just incredible.”
You can get all the results and keep up with these pro fishermen representing our area on the FLW tour here:
Now the bad news:
And now for some sad news, Forest L Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats and the namesake of this tour in the early years, passed away this weekend. His legacy is amazing. A legend in the outdoors, yet a very humble man who never met a stranger in the world.
I was fortunate enough to know him well through my outdoor writing and spent a lot of time with him in the 1970’s and 80’s around tournaments, media events and outdoor shows. It was a good time. I even bought the very first Ranger pad boat that was sent to Howard Griffin’s in Monroe, a Ranger 155A with an 85 orange and white Johnson outboard. It was hot! No matter what boat I ever had, it was always my favorite. I also had the honor of riding out in the lead boat with Forest and Ray Scott, Founder of BASS, in one of the early circuits.
In those days, every BASS tournament started when Wood and Scott sat in their big Ranger boat, said a prayer over the microphone, stood for the playing of the National Anthem and led the anglers out onto the lake. When Scott let the hammer down, so did everybody else! The day I was invited to go along, Forest held the flag and I was just along for the ride. As I said, it was a good time. RIP, FLW !
lake darbonne life 
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