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The 2008' "Open Championship" was hotly contested from start to finish. Weather played an important role (see tournament recap) and turned a potential slug fest into a battle of attrition. When the curtain came down on the second day, 36 weary and tired anglers put their best face's on and ....lied about all the big fish that got away. Even the winners be-moaned the fact that a few 'big girls' had come unbuttoned. The amazing thing was everyone lost a big one right at the boat, my partner and I included. Well, twenty foot from the boat anyway. lol.

Brendan Cucinello (new guy) and partner Joe Contrino (2007 club Classic Champion) did what they do best, catch fish and misdirect everyone else. They took the day one lead and never looked back on the way to the 2008' Open Championship. Hard on their heals were the team of Neil DeStefano and Andre Gonis who applied relentless pressure and yelled harsh words at the leaders right down to the ending whistle. Yes their was a whistle...finally. Second place boys aint too shabby.

Scott Garrison, defending 'two time' "Open Champion" and partner Jeff Puhalski (new guy) did their very best to upset the apple cart but fell short. Rumor has it Jeff lost a slob that Scott found perplexing to say the least. Third place isnt too bad, but close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. A nice job turned in by Andre Gonis (4 lb.,13 oz smallmouth) and Mike Krug (5 lb.,3 oz largemouth) beauties, both! Well the AOY race is on two down and a lot to go...

Glad too see the tournament committee boats were able to pull first.....sure they were. You guys know who you are....keep the ramp clear!

I'll be the first to say it.....East Twin Lake is the "Falcon Lake" of the North-east. It's a lake on steroids pure and simple. Our carefully kept club records reveal the truth about this beautiful lake nestled in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. More five pound largemouth have been weighed in here by our club than any other body of water we fish on a regular basis.

The lake has produced four bass of over six (6) pounds for our club members with the largest bass weighing 6 lbs.,5 ozs. This bass was caught by John Proto. A number of bass over seven (7) pounds have been caught as well. An even larger bass was caught by Charlie Jedlica, then of Renegade Bassmasters, and that one weighed a shade over eight (8) pounds. Yeow!

East Twin produces more than big bass, it produces huge five bass limits. A few years back Bill Slavis & Dave Mclaughlin weighed in the club record catch weighing 23 lbs.,7 ozs. Two years ago Kenny Sullivan & Bob Casella weighed in another big bag that totaled 20 lbs.,14 ozs. That brings us up to this week on Atlantics 2008' Tour and another remarkable catch.

Brendan Cucinello, fresh off his "Open Championship" victory a few weeks back; found the winners circle once again. This time however, it was without the help of a partner. Brendan fished solo. The five fish limit he brought to the scales weighing over 22 pounds had everyone shaking their heads. He's off to one heck of a start. Not since Neil DeStefano accomplished the feat in 1992 had any angler won the first two events in which he had competed. Brendan Cucinello is now the second. His winning weight of 22 lbs.,8 ozs. was almost eight (8) pounds more than his nearest competitor. Way to go "Big Bag"

Dom Lamanno and Uncle Don Heller finished in second place with 14 lbs.,9 ozs and Bill Slavis and side-kick Dave Mclaughlin rounded out the top three posting a respectable limit weighing 13 lbs.,7 ozs. Brendan had the tournament lunker, a beautiful 5 lb.,11 oz. largemouth. I know it seems easy at the moment "Big Bag", but it's a long season and this tour has a nasty habit of throwing you a knuckleball when you least expect it. Congamond anyone?

Pat Xiques and Darrel Knight captured the third leg of the 2008' Atlantic Bassmasters season with a respectable five fish limit weighing 14 lbs.,13 ozs. on Congamond Lakes in Massachusetts. This bag was anchored by the tournament lunker of 5 lbs 2 ozs. Pat (X-box) Xiques took lunker honors with this big girl. It was the fourteenth (14th) tournament victory of his storied career; the 6th most wins in club history. Nice job "X-Box".....can I call you "Box" for short?

Frank Ripp and son, Scott Ripp finished in second place with a nice limit weighing 14 lbs.,7 ozs less than a half pound out of the top spot while Neil DeStefano and Andre Gonis continued their journey to another date with destiny finishing in the third spot with a limit of 12 lbs., and 13 ozs. All in all nine of the twelve boats had five bass limits. Not bad for driving three hours at $1200.00 a gallon. It could have been worse, I could have stayed at the Granby!

Hey...it's time for the 2008 "Masters Championship" and a trip to New Hampshire and the historic smallmouth fishery that is the legendary Lake Winnipesaukee. Georgeous scenery, crystal clear blue green waters and those bronze back beauty's that put a bend in your rod and a smile of gratification on your face. Life is good again....this isnt Lillinoah! Oh' by the way, there are some green fish here as well, just thought I should give you a heads up.

Not again....Noooooooo. The team of Bill Slavis and Dave McLaughlin 'waxed em' at Winny putting together a two day eight (8) fish limit weighing 27 lbs.,5 ozs. That's a 3 lb.7 oz. average and that dear readers is simply amazing, amazing, amazing.. Billy 'The Slob' Slavis once again dazzled us all with another giant bass, this one a post-spawn largemouth weighing 6 lbs.,9 ozs. This behemoth would have weighed close to eight (8) pounds a few weeks earlier. Does this guy have a knack of catching big fish or what? I'd call it a freakin' habit.

This marked the second time in the past four years these boys have mounted the winners platform at the 'Masters Championship'. Dave McLaughlin added to his 'Hall Of Fame' resume with his fifth Masters Title tying him with fellow 'Hall Of Fame' fame member Kevin Cunningham with five Masters Championships. It was the 22nd victory in Dave's career tying him with Paul Ritchie for third place on the all time list.

Second place went to the team of Ray Scully and Nolan (Red Eye) Edwards. This pair of savvy veterans weighed in a two day eight fish limit weighing 21 lbs.,4 ozs. This decent showing left them miles and miles behind the leaders, but rewarding none the less. The team of Neil DeStefano and Andre Gonis finished third weighing in with 19 lbs.,3 ozs over the two day event. Hard to believe but the Masters Championship is now in the rear view mirror. Time indeed does fly, especially for us old guys.