TRI-CITIES, Wash. – With a brilliant sunrise, clear skies and virtually no wind serving as a backdrop for Friday’s takeoff, the full field of 173 pros and co-anglers departed Columbia Point Marina shortly after 6:30 a.m. – many for the last time. For the co-anglers, today represents the final day of competition as a champion will be crowned at some point during afternoon weigh-in. For the pros, today is the final opportunity to vault up the leaderboard and attempt to survive Friday’s all-important top-10 cut.
Although wind is usually the biggest variable to watch on the Columbia River, according to the National Weather Service, it does not appear that wind will be much a factor in today’s competition – which will undoubtedly be a relief to the vast majority of the field.
As usual, there is a lot at stake. In the Pro Division, anglers will attempt to remain in the running for the first-place prize of $125,000. Co-anglers will be shooting for a top award of $25,000.
Currently, Charlie Weyer is atop the Pro Division with a two-day catch of 29 pounds, 1 ounce; while Brian Stafford maintains the overall lead in the Co-angler Division with a total catch of 25 pounds, 3 ounces.
Tourney format
Per tournament rules, the entire Columbia River field competes in each of the first three days of tournament action. Top prize in the Co-angler Division will be awarded to the angler who nets the heaviest accumulated three-day total weight. After the third day of competition, the pro field will be whittled down to the top-10 anglers based on overall weight during the first three days. During Saturday’s final day of competition, the pro winner will be determined by the heaviest accumulated weight over the course of the entire tournament.
In addition to the top award of $125,000, pro anglers will receive a minimum $10,000 cash prize through 50th place and a guaranteed $2,000 minimum payout through 75th place. In addition, all anglers in the tournament will be competing for valuable year-end standings points in the hope of qualifying for the BP East-National Guard West Fishoff and a shot at advancing to the $2 million, 2008 Forrest Wood Cup, where the winning pro will earn as much as $1 million
FLW Series Western Division action continues at today’s weigh-in, scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. Pacific Time at Columbia Point Marina, located at 660 Columbia Point Drive in Richland, Wash.
Can`t make the weigh-in in person, then watch it on FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com beginning at 3 p.m. Pacific Time.
Sunrise: 6:42 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 40 degrees
Expected high temperature: 79 degrees
Water temperature: 65-68 degrees
Wind: From the southwest at 5-10 mph
Maximum humidity: 39 percent
Day’s outlook: Mostly sunny