The changing of the guard

Pro Mike Folkestad capitalizes on windy day of fishing, reshuffled leaderboard on day three of National Guard Western Division event on Lake Havasu

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – While the wind wreaked havoc on the majority of the field in Friday’s Walmart FLW Series competition, seasoned veteran Mike Folkestad of Orange, Calif., managed to parlay his decades of experience into a hard-fought, first-place finish.

“I really didn’t think I’d be in the lead after today’s weigh-in,” said Folkestad, who used a three-day total of 45 pounds, 7 ounces to grab the top spot in the Pro Division heading into Saturday’s finals. “I was a little surprised at the weights today, but it was definitely a tougher bite overall. The wind was really a hindrance – you can’t control your boat or the baits very well. But overall, I feel pretty good about this tournament right now.”

While seven of the top 10 anglers from yesterday’s competition still managed to survive today’s cut, the complexion of the tournament and the leaderboard changed fairly significantly. After leading for two straight days, National Guard pro Tim Klinger from Boulder City, Nev., dropped to fifth place.

There were some other significant casualties on the day as well. Shaun Bailey (third place after day two), Jon Strelic (eighth) and Kevin Hawk (10th) all found themselves bumped out of the top 10, due in large part to the difficult 20- to 30-mph winds that wore down pro competitors on Lake Havasu throughout Friday’s tournament action.

However, at the end of the day, Folkestad was left standing as the primary front-runner for the tournament title.

“I caught eight fish total and had a limit by about 11 a.m.,” said Folkestad. “I’ve been coming up with a mixed bag of fish every day. And I have a bunch of different areas I can fish if the wind dies down. But even if the wind blows, I’ll probably be OK. Overall, I’m feeling pretty good right now”

Folkestad said that he targeted bass using Open Water jigs and Roboworms.

“I’ve been doing some sight-fishing, but that was a little tough today with the wind,” he said. “I’m also fishing adjacent to some spawning areas where the bass are staging.”

So now that the leaderboard has changed in his favor, is Folkestad starting to feel the pressure heading into tomorrow’s finals?

“I’m too old to feel pressure,” joked Folkestad. “But I am going to do a little more gambling tomorrow than I have all week.”

Thompson ready for finals

On the strength of a three-day catch weighing in at 43 pounds, 15 ounces, Zack Thompson of Orinda, Calif., leapfrogged from fifth to second place overall heading into tomorrow’s finals.

“It’s been kind of a tough tournament,” said Thompson. “But I’ve been having a pretty good week. I’ve also got some things figured out, and I feel really good where I’m at. We’ll just have to see how it goes tomorrow.”

Thompson, who used a combination of sight-fishing techniques and reaction baits to land the majority of his catch, narrowly avoided a catastrophe today when he ran into some significant problems with his equipment.

“My boat broke down at about 11 a.m., but luckily I was able to wave down a pleasure boater,” said Thompson. “He towed me about seven miles, and I was able to fish just outside the marina a little longer until somebody brought me (the rest of the way). I had four fish in the boat before I broke down, but I was able to catch a limit when I got back around the marina.”

Meyer nets third place

Cody Meyer of Redding, Calif., used a total catch of 43 pounds, 13 ounces to grab third place overall heading into Saturday’s finals. However, like the rest of the competition, Meyer was affected by today’s conditions.

“I’m doing a lot of sight-fishing, so the wind really hurt me today,” he said.

Ehrler distracted by family tragedy, still manages fourth-place finish

National Guard team member Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif., claimed fourth place with a total catch of 42 pounds, 14 ounces. However, unlike many competitors, the wind and rough conditions were the least of his worries.

“It’s been a tough week for me,” said Ehrler. “I had some tragic stuff that happened to some friends of mine, and it’s been hard just going out on the water. So making the cut is a big deal for me. As far as winning, I’m sure going to try.”

Klinger drops to fifth

After leading the FLW Series Lake Havasu event the entire week, Tim Klinger dropped to fifth place overall after a somewhat disappointing day on the water.

“I went back to my same area, but I wound up losing three fish today,” said Klinger, who boasts a total catch of 42 pounds, 2 ounces. “And two of those fish were good-sized fish. I just didn’t execute very well today. Hopefully the wind won’t blow too hard tomorrow. But as long as I’m within a few pounds (of the leader), I still have a shot at winning.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top 10 pro finalists at the FLW Series Lake Havasu event:

6th: Cameron Smith of Dana Point, Calif., 40-4

7th: Tim Wilsterman of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 40-2

8th: Jayson Kisselburg of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 39-3

9th: Robert Lee of Angels Camp, Calif., 39-3

10th: Justin Kerr of Simi Valley, Calif., 39-2

Dewayne Bonham of Brentwood, Calif., walked away with the Big Bass award in the Pro Division after netting a 6-pound, 4-ounce largemouth. Bonham’s catch was the largest fish caught in the tournament to date.

Day four of Lake Havasu competition begins at 6:30 a.m. PT at Lake Havasu State Park, located at 699 London Bridge Road in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.