This tomorrow truly is another day

Anything can happen, will happen in Stren Western at Oroville

OROVILLE, Calif. – A familiar refrain heard at FLW bass tournament weigh-ins: “Tomorrow’s another day, anything can happen.”

Never have those words been truer than at this Stren Series Western Division tournament on Lake Oroville. The top 96 pros are separated by 5 pounds. The last-place angler, Eugene Hooker of Kennewick, Wash., is only 5 pounds, 3 ounces behind leader Ishama Monroe of Hughson, Calif., who sits precariously in first place with 11 pounds, 10 ounces.

To say anything could happen on day two would be an understatement. Most assuredly anything will happen, and by the time the last bag of fish is lifted from the scales, the standings might have flip-flopped like the opinions of a politician running for office.

So you thought it remarkable that Mine that Bird won the Kentucky Derby with 50-to-1 odds? That could pale in comparison to what might happen here today.

“Yeah, one big fish could really make a difference,” said Sean Minderman of Spokane, Wash., who’s currently in 48th place with two other pros with 8 pounds, 2 ounces. “My practice was good. I found some quality fish. Hopefully I can get one of those today and move right up there.”

No fewer than 79 anglers in the Pro Division share a weight with another angler. Six pros share a weight of 7 pounds, 13 ounces, while five share a weight of 8 pounds, 6 ounces. Spectators at the weigh-ins have absolutely no idea who might vault into the lead at any time.

With this kind of parity, it makes sense to be sure to bring a limit to the scales. Yesterday it wasn’t a problem, as 106 of 108 pros did just that. Minderman was among them and he aims to do it again today.

“After that, I’ll look for big fish,” he said. “During practice I caught quite a few largemouths.”

The lake’s largemouths tend to run a bit bigger than the spots. But spotted bass tend to school by size, and finding a school with bigger overall size would also pay big.

Opinions about where the fish are in the cyclic calendar are all over the place. Some say the spawn is done. Others say it hasn’t happened yet. Some say the spots are done but the largemouths aren’t.

Said Minderman: “I don’t think any of the fish have spawned yet. The lake has been coming up so fast. It’s been cold. The way they’re suspended and looking at the bank … as soon as the water stabilizes, they’ll be all over the bank spawning.”

Oroville is down about 100 feet below full pool, but has come up considerably in recent weeks. Not long ago the area received a record 24-hour rainfall that brought the lake up several feet.

Now if only 216 pros and co-anglers can experience a record eight-hour catch and move up likewise in their respective standings.

Today’s weigh-in is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at the Spillway Launch site on the north end of Lake Oroville. It’s free and open to the public.

Friday’s conditions

Temperature at takeoff: 60 degrees

Sky: clear

Wind: SE at 4 mph

Barometric pressure: 29.93 inches and steady

Sunrise: 5:52 a.m.

Forecast: plenty of sun and a high of 92 degrees; winds NW at 10-20 mph