Opening day of EverStart Series event on Sam Rayburn canceled
Extreme cold, wind make conditions unsafe for fishing Thursday
JASPER, Texas – One of eastern Texas’ most venerable bass fisheries is Sam Rayburn Reservoir, site of this week’s EverStart Series Texas Division event. But it was more like Sam Raybrrrrrrrrrn Thursday, when cold temperatures and a frosty wind chill led to the cancellation of the opening day of this three-day tournament.
EverStart Series Tournament Director Ron Lappin said officials motored onto the reservoir at 8 a.m., which had been the scheduled late start time for the opening day, only to find conditions worsening. With north winds of 17 mph, 3-footers jagging the water’s surface, subfreezing temperatures and even stronger winds predicted for later in the day, the decision was made to call off the opening day.
“With 28-degree temperatures and 43-degree water – taking into account hypothermia – for the safety of the fishermen, we elected to cancel today,” Lappin said.
All pros and co-anglers manning the 115 boats entered in the tournament were on site this morning, ready to take off at the delayed start time originally set for 8 a.m., but they were sent back to their hotels or homes for the day when the exploratory boat returned to the takeoff site at Umphrey Family Pavilion near the Sam Rayburn Dam at about 8:20 a.m. Based on how bundled the anglers were and the 
ice forming on any wet gear on decks, it seems doubtful many disagree with the decision to shorten the tournament by a day.
Event information
Tournament officials have decided to let the full field of 115 boats (230 competitors) compete on both of the remaining days Friday and Saturday, with winners in both the Pro Division and Co-angler Division being determined Saturday by heaviest total weight from both days. The pairing assignments established today will carry over to Friday, and boat check will begin at 7 a.m. with an 8 a.m. takeoff both days. (Please read below for details about the postponement to Sunday of the FLW College Fishing event on Sam Rayburn, including how to volunteer as a boat driver.)
Anglers will take off from the Umphrey Family Pavilion in Sam Rayburn, Texas, at 8 each morning. Friday and Saturday’s weigh-ins are scheduled to take place at the Umphrey Family Pavilion beginning at 3 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public.
The EverStart Series tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir is being hosted by the Jasper-Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce.
Tournament logistics
Pros will fish for a top award of $35,000 plus a 198VX Ranger boat with 200-horsepower outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award consisting of a Ranger 177TR with 90-horsepower outboard and $5,000 if Ranger Cup guidelines are met.
The EverStart Series consists of five divisions – Central, Northern, Southeast, Texas and Western. Each division consists of four tournaments and competitors will be vying for valuable points in each division that could earn them the Angler of the Year title along with $5,000 for the pro and $2,000 for the co-angler. The top 40 pros and co-anglers from each respective division will qualify for the EverStart Series Championship that will be held on Kentucky Lake in Buchanan, Tenn., Oct. 27-30.
On the Web
For bass-fishing fans unable to attend the festivities in person, you can catch all the weigh-in action live at FLWOutdoors.com with FLW Live. Show time starts at 3 p.m. Friday, now the opening day of the tournament.
College Fishing update
The National Guard FLW College Fishing event slated for Saturday on Sam Rayburn Reservoir has been postponed until Sunday. All other tournament details remain the same.
Tournament officials are asking for volunteers with a boat to take college teams on the water Sunday for competition, and all volunteers will be reimbursed for their expenses. For more information, please contact CF Tournament Director Kevin Hunt at (270) 205-5155.
Thursday’s conditions
Sunrise: 7:01 a.m.
Temperature: 26 degrees
Expected high temperature: 46 degrees
Water temperature at the ramp: 43 to 47 degrees
Wind: N at 17 mph
Maximum humidity: 74 percent
Day’s outlook: decreasing clouds with temperatures rising towards the upper 30s.