Careful what you wish for

Rain, wind greet top-10 on final morning of FLW Series on Columbia River

TRI-CITIES, Wash. – For three days, it was sunscreen, sweat and lots of cool liquids. However, the final round of Walmart FLW Series National Guard Western Division action will see dramatically different conditions over the Columbia River.

Morning media interviews were conducted under canopies as anglers, FLW staff and spectators huddled beneath the shelter covering the Folgers morning coffee break tables. Footsteps were few on the Columbia Point Marina docks until right before takeoff.

That’s what a rainy, windy and noticeably nippy morning brings to the party.

Indeed, the top-10 pros saw no sunrise as they launched into a dim and dreary day. Nevertheless, this is what most tournament anglers had hoped for – kind of.

The event’s first three days saw flags standing still in nearly flat calm conditions, which combined with mostly sunny skies to create a difficult fishing scenario. Scattered clouds started showing up late on day three and when a front rolled into the area overnight, it turned on the fan, turned down the heat and sprinkled southeastern Washington with a light to drizzly rain.

Fifth place pro Ronald Hobbs Jr. noted: “I’m fishing mostly clear water and when you get a little bit of clouds and little bit of wind on the water that roughs up the surface and makes it harder for the fish to see you. When they can’t see as well, they have to take opportunities to eat whenever they can. Hopefully, they’ll be more active today and we can knock the shorts off of the.”

Tournament leader David Kromm, who brings a 3-pound lead into the contest, looks at the weather from a defensive, as well as offensive perspective. The local pro said he’s hoping that the rough conditions he’s used to will impede his competition, while stimulating the fish.”

“The wind can make the shallow fish bite better if it doesn’t blow really hard,” Kromm said. “I want it to blow hard so it pushes those shallow fish out deeper where it’s hard to hold a boat in position. That makes it tough on guys, but I’m used to fishing in these conditions.”

Hailing from Kennewick, Wash., Kromm said if river conditions allow him to make a long run, he’ll lock through at the McNary Dam and fish the Lake Umatilla Pool. He’ll start his day by looking for a shallow bite on a spinnerbait or a fluke. “If I can get a couple (shallow bites) then things will be looking good. Then I’ll move to deeper water and throw a Carolina rig, a lizard, a tube and various (plastics).”

Behind Kromm, second place pro Neil Russell fished locally in the Lake Wallula pool on days one and two, but gave his primary waters a rest on day three when he ran up the Snake River. He’ll return to his top spots today in hopes that significantly less boat traffic will enable him to capitalize on the area’s potential.

Third place pro RJ Bennett will also stick to local waters, despite the lure of downriver sweet spots. “We had some strong winds this morning, so I think it’s going to be nasty going through the narrows and locking down so I’m glad I’m not making that run. The only bonus is that the lower pool can have a really good reaction bite down there and I’m concerned that whoever runs down there could possibly catch some good fish on reaction baits today because the weather is favorable for that to happen.

“I don’t know what this weather is going to do to the fish. I think that’s in everyone’s head right not. I think it’s going to make certain fish bite, and certain fish not bite. You just have to hope that you’re on the fish that are going to bite and not the ones that are going to disappear today.”

Logistics

Anglers will take off from Columbia Point Marina located at 660 Columbia-Point Drive at 6:30 each morning. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart store located at 2801 Duportail St. in Richland at 4 p.m. Children will also be treated to a Family Fun Zone prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart. Activities in the Family Fun Zone include the Kellogg’s trout pond, a Ranger boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.

The entire field competes for the first three days of FLW Series events. Co-angler winners are determined on day three based on the heaviest accumulated three-day weight. The top 10 professionals continue competition on day four, and the winner is determined by the heaviest accumulated weight from all four days. Pros are fishing for a top prize of $125,000 and co-anglers are competing for a $25,000 award.

Saturday’s conditions:

Sunrise: 6:41 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 55 degrees

Expected high temperature: 74 degrees

Water temperature: 65 degrees

Wind: SW at 10 mph

Humidity: 40 percent

Day’s outlook: Rainy