Ameling anchors victory in Co-Angler Division

Indiana native nets $6,000 after first-ever win on EverStart tour

CLAYTON, N.Y. – After four difficult days of fishing, Dwight Ameling of Freemont, Ind., used a 17-pound, 7-ounce catch to take home first place in the Northern Division EverStart Series tour event on Lake Ontario. Although Ameling had never fished on the EverStart circuit until this year, his inexperience rarely showed as he powered his way through the field on route to victory.

“It’s extremely overwhelming. Only in America,” said Ameling of his accomplishment. “I wasn’t expecting much. I just came here to fish. I knew if I put too much pressure on myself, I wouldn’t do well. So I just relaxed and had fun. Everything seemed to fall into place.”

Ameling said that he was still in disbelief even after hoisting the winner’s trophy.

“It’s been one of the best weeks of fishing I’ve ever had,” he said. “I’ve had excellent partners all week and I seemed to improve each day. I learned a lot and had a great time in the process. It feels great.”

Mr. Smith goes to Lake Ontario

For a few moments, David Smith thought that his 17-pound, 1-ounce stringer just might be enough to win the co-angler title. Unfortunately for Smith, he was short by a mere 6 ounces.

“I really thought I had a chance there for a minute,” said Smith, a native of Edmond, Okla. “But it feels good to know that I fished as well as I could. I had four great partners who went out of their way to help me. And I appreciate that. I had a great time.”

For his efforts, Smith won a check for $4,000.

Triple threat

Carl Tripple of Ilion, N.Y., finished in third place with a total catch of 14 pounds, 10 oucnes.

“It’s beautiful up here,” said Tripple, who took home a check for $3,500. “I’ve had a great time. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Michael Templeton of Catlettsburg, Ky., took fourth place after recording a catch of 14 pounds, 5 ounces.

“It’s been a great week,” said Templeton, who netted $3,000 for his efforts. “I’ve had a really nice time.”

Mark McNeil of Ledyard, Conn., used a 13-pound, 2-ounce catch to grab fifth place.

“It was incredible out there,” said McNeil, who won a check for $2,500. “I had good partners all week and we did really well. I’ve just had an awesome time.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top-10 finalists were Anthony Savino (sixth) of Newburgh, N.Y., with a catch of 12 pounds, 7 ounces; David Paul (seventh) of New London, Conn., with a catch of 10 pounds, 12 ounces; James Richardson, Jr., (eighth) of Cincinnati, Ohio, with a catch of 10 pounds, 7 ounces; James Richardson, Sr., (ninth) of Harrison, Ohio, with a catch of 7 pounds, 2 ounces; and Franklin Collins (tenth) of Huntington, W.Va., with a catch of 4 pounds, 10 ounces.

The next EverStart Northern Division event will take place at Sandusky Bay, Ohio, Aug. 22-25.

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