Out-Cast: Inaugural FLW Series Western
A behind-the-scenes reflection on the inaugural Wal-Mart FLW Series Western Division event on Lake Havasu from ‘FLW Outdoors’ TV personality Keith Lebowitz
When the National Guard announced that it was going to take the sport of bass fishing out West, you could hear the collective roar of excitement from anglers who had been longing for years for a big-time tour level event to arrive on their home turf.
As a result, when the inaugural Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division event finally became a reality, the reception from both anglers and bass-fishing fans alike was overwhelming.
As the biggest West Coast bass-fishing tournament on record descended upon Lake Havasu City, Ariz., the historic event produced an unbelievable turnout of big-time anglers – all of whom were vying for the coveted top prize of $125,000.
World-class anglers such as Jay Yelas, bass-fishing icon and former Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year, showed up. The winner of last year’s Forrest Wood Cup, Brent Ehrler, also made the trip. The field also included past Wal-Mart FLW Tour title holders such as Andre Moore and National Guard team angler Tim Klinger. Add to that group some of the best sticks west of the Mississippi, and you had yourself one heck of a field.
Of course, there were doubters initially. I’d been reading a lot about how the West “doesn’t have enough pros” to make this series legit. Others argued that the West could never support a major tournament circuit. My response: Please, give me a break. When Jay Yelas, one of the most recognized and respected anglers in the world, enters an event like this, how can anyone question the validity of the FLW Series? In case there were any doubts, Jay confirmed to me just how good and how committed he thinks his fellow Western Division competitors really are.
“These anglers out West are better than those on the East Coast,” he said. “They are more versatile and can adjust better given the lakes they have grown up on.”
FLW Outdoors, along with the National Guard and all of our phenomenal sponsors, deserves a boatload of credit for what’s taking place in this FLW Series Western Division. The response from the field of pros and co-anglers has been extraordinary. To underscore this point, I’d like to highlight the countless anglers who approached us and thanked us throughout the Havasu event for bringing a tour-level circuit to their own backyards.
Fishing fans showed up in abundance as well. Standing-room-only crowds were everywhere, not only during the final-day weigh-in, but throughout the duration of the entire event.
Although we haven’t had a major tour-level circuit out here before, let me make one thing clear: FLW Outdoors has always believed in the abilities, dedication and passion of the anglers out West. In fact, the most successful angler in the world over the past couple of years, Chevy pro Luke Clausen, hails from the West – which should reinforce why this region of the country can never be discounted when it comes to big-time angling.
If you want to knock this circuit, as some outdoor writers are inclined to do, make sure to do your homework first. Show up at an FLW Series Western Division event and see the tournament unfold firsthand. Please stop writing and talking about what you don’t know until you experience the Series in totality – the anglers out West deserve at least that much.
But regardless of whether you are a fan or a critic, I’m happy to say that the FLW Series Western Division is here to stay. And judging by the size of the field at the recent Havasu event, this circuit could turn out to be the most competitive bass-fishing circuit of any in the nation.
Perhaps Lake Havasu champion Mike Goodwin summed it up best.
“The West Coast anglers have been waiting for a tour like this to prove we’re at the level of the rest of the country,” he said. “One hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars is a lot of money (for first place), and to win here on Lake Havasu, in the biggest event to ever come out West, is a true honor.”
Gabe Bolivar, the Gain Rookie of the Year on the FLW Tour last year, added: “Man, we’ve got so many top tour-level pros out here that it’s unbelievable. FLW Outdoors, the National Guard and the rest of our sponsors recognize the level of talent out West and are giving many of the top pros in the world an opportunity to earn a living in their own backyard.”
Brent Ehrler, who won $500,000 at the 2006 Forrest Wood Cup championship in 2006, was equally excited as the event unfolded.
“This is great,” said Ehrler. “I can’t believe I’m in the top 10 against this level of competition.”
Still need more convincing that the West is for real? Well, how about this: Two of the last three FLW Tour champions, Clausen and Ehrler, have hailed from the West Coast. And it is my guess that there will be plenty more to come.
I will also say this: When the best of the FLW Series East squares off against the very best of the FLW Series West in January 2008, hold on to your hats, because we’re going to be in for one heck of a competition.
To sum up, I’m a West Coast guy myself, and I couldn’t be happier to see a successful series finally make its way out West. And, if you ever get the chance, come see for yourself what FLW Outdoors and the National Guard knew all along: These Western guys are good – really good!
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Editor’s note: Keith Lebowitz’s experience as a sports reporter and sports show anchor is considerable. He’s been acknowledged with industry awards numerous times: a 2001 honor from The Associated Press for the Fox Sports Net show “Southwest Sports Report,” a 1996 Emmy winner in the Los Angeles area for outstanding sports reporting on KTTV Fox Television, a 1990 Golden Mike Award for best sportscast at KCSN in Los Angeles and honors for his work as a reporter in 1999 for the Emmy Award-winning “Season of Speed” at KTVT CBS 11 in Dallas. He has interviewed many of the greats including Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Troy Aikman. Currently, Lebowitz is host of FLW Outdoors Television on FSN.
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