Fromme, Southard win Soldier Appreciation Tournament
Duo takes title on Lake Monore
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – SS Zack Fromme and FLW College Fishing angler Andy Southard from Western Kentucky University won the FLW National Guard Soldier Appreciation Tournament held on Lake Monroe Saturday. The team caught two bass weighing 3 pounds to take the title and bragging rights amongst their peers.
The second place team of SFC Richard Joyce and FLW College Fishing angler David Stephens from Western Kentucky University caught two bass weighing 2 pounds, 15 ounces. They were the only other team to bring fish to the scales.
“We were using buzzbaits.” said Fromme, who is a novice angler. “This was the first tournament that I have ever fished in and we had a super day on the water. It was a little cold at first but then we started getting bites and had a blast.
“It was such an honor to be a part of this tournament,” said Southard whose team finished in seventh place Friday at the National Guard FLW College Regional Championship. “I can’t thank the National Guard for all they have done for the sport of college fishing.
“Having fished the previous two days really helped us today. This lake is tough, we probably would have caught a few more but wanted to stay out of the way of the top five teams that were fishing for the title in the Regional Championship today. We really did have fun and I am glad I got to be a part of it.”
Each of the National Guard participants in the tournament is member of the Indiana National Guard and most have had at least one tour of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. They were paired with FLW College anglers; FLW Outdoors supplied the boats and equipment needed for the tournament where each team was allowed to bring in three bass. FLW Outdoors is operating the tournaments in conjunction with the National Guard to show appreciation to our service members of the National Guard.
Tied for third place were:
3rd: SFC Shawn Tharp and FLW College Fishing angler Chris Bookout, Purdue University
3rd: SGT Danny Jordan and FLW College Fishing angler Matthew Kestufskie, Northwestern University
3rd: Specialist E.B. White and FLW College Fishing angler Jimmy Morrow, Northwestern University
3rd: SS Cory Drake and FLW College fishing angler Michael Ruhana, Purdue University
About FLW Outdoors
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world offering anglers worldwide the opportunity to compete for millions over the course of 189 tournaments in 2010. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing awarding the largest prizes in the history of fantasy sports. FLW Outdoors memberships are available featuring numerous benefits including Player’s Advantage. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FantasyFishing.com.