Frosty finish in Florence

Anglers bundle up against the cold for the final day of fishing

FLORENCE, Ala. – The chilly morning temperatures continued today for the final day of competition at the Wal-Mart FLW Tour event on Pickwick Lake. The top 10 pros were wrapped up tight as they sat in boats covered in frost.

Today marks the end of a tough tournament for FLW Tour pros, though leader George Jeane Jr. appears to be onto something, as he brought in more than 17 pounds yesterday to lead by nearly 2 1/2 pounds. However, whether or not today’s conditions are good for fishing depends on who you ask.

“I think it’s going to be a pretty good day,” said Andy Morgan, who sits 3 pounds, 13 ounces behind Jeane in third. “I think we’ll see some good fish. The wind has died down, and we can fish a little more thorough.”

That word “thorough,” Morgan said, is the key, and according to the Tennessee pro, the chilly air temperatures won’t make all that much difference, even though the opening round brought temperatures in the upper 70s.

“These guys were catching them in practice when it was cold, so they’ll catch them again today,” Morgan said.

One boat over in the No. 2 rig sat Rob Kilby, who caught 14-10 yesterday. Unlike Morgan, Kilby is less than enthused about today’s calm conditions.

“If it gets really still and calm, it’ll hurt more than it’ll help,” Kilby said. “You need wind.”

Unfortunately for Kilby, the wind is not expected to blow today, though he too said he is unaffected by the cold conditions.

Anglers will weigh in their final catches today at 4 p.m. at the Wal-Mart store located at 3100 Hough Road in Florence.

Thursday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 6:16 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 37 degrees

Expected high temperature: 61 degrees

Wind: from the north-northeast at 5 mph

Maximum humidity: 41 percent

Day’s outlook: mostly sunny