All eyes on him - Major League Fishing

All eyes on him

Lefebre leads by more than 6 pounds on final day at Old Hickory
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Glenn Browne (left) measures up the man to beat, Dave Lefebre. Lefebre is carrying a lead of more than 6 pounds into the final day of FLW Old Hickory Lake, and Browne is his closest challenger. Photo by Jeff Schroeder. Anglers: Glenn Browne, Dave Lefebre.
March 13, 2004 • Jeff Schroeder • Archives

GALLATIN, Tenn. – In most Wal-Mart FLW Tour events, a lead of 6 pounds, 4 ounces would appear to be nearly insurmountable heading into the final day of competition, but that weight represents the size of just one decent-sized largemouth at Old Hickory Lake. With this lake’s history of coughing up the odd enormous limit when it’s least expected, don’t think that escaped the notice of leader Dave Lefebre – or the other nine pros chasing him – at takeoff Saturday.

“Looking at the weather right now, I’m thinking they’re going to bite big-time today,” Lefebre said.

“It’s kind of strange. The fish seem to turn on and off every day,” said Greg Hackney, who sits more than 13 pounds behind Lefebre but who has also already made a huge comeback this week with a 26-pound-plus sack on day two.

The weather was indeed accommodating when the 10 finalists motored out of Bull Creek Saturday morning. Temperatures were still chilly, but the wind was dead calm and the sun was shining. Anglers all week have reported catching more bass when the sun comes out, so that bodes well for the challengers.

Dave Lefebre, with his cameraman beside him, takes off toward the possibility of a $100,000 payday at Old Hickory Lake .Still, you wouldn’t blame Lefebre if he’s already had thoughts on how he might spend that $100,000 winner’s check. However, as mentioned before, he’s really just one fish ahead.

Said Marcel Veenstra, who sits more than 12 pounds behind the leader: “I just hope the big ones show up so we can make a shootout out of this.”

Saturday’s final weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. CST at the Wal-Mart store located at 1112 Nashville Pike in Gallatin. The FLW Tour’s Family Fun Zone – featuring product giveaways, interactive displays and games for fishing fans of all ages – opens in the Wal-Mart parking lot at 11 a.m.

For bass-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, you can catch all the weigh-in action live at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live. Show time starts at 3 p.m. CST.

Saturday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 5:59 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 37 degrees

Expected high temperature: 56 degrees

Water temperature: 49-53 degrees

Wind: from the east at 7 mph

Maximum humidity: 39 percent

Day’s outlook: partly cloudy