The long awaited "Open Championship" was finally upon us and the rumors were flying fast and furious.  Pre-fishing by many of the field was reported as being nothing short of spectacular with the possibility of 20 to 25 pound plus bags being discussed as if they were already 'done deals'.   The best laid plans however often go astray.  Enter good old 'mother nature' with her nasty habit of shaking up the playing field and bringing those lofty visions crashing back down to earth. This year she wasn't in a mood to disappoint.  A 'back-door' cold front somehow found it's way over the lower Berkshires and nestled itself right down in lovely New Fairfield valley only hours before the championship began.  With it's passage came the usual nonsense.........20 to 25 mile per-hour winds out of the North-West.  Oh joy!  Wind surfing anyone?

Sure the bite was not what we had hoped but there were still was plenty of fish to be caught.  The trick was finding the right fish.  The idea that you could pull up to a point and knock the crap out of three and four pound smallmouth just wasn't going to happen.  If you did your homework, paid attention and were absolutely relentless and persistent your hard work was rewarded, well at least for a few it was...lol.  The reports of success centered primarily around three baits;  Hair, Jerk-baits & Rattle Traps.   I strongly believe however that there were subtle differences in the baits and presentations that were the keys.  It  seems I had left my keys home on the dinning room  table.

The winners Brendan Cucinello & Joe Contrino (2007 Club Classic Champion) were to the best of my knowledge, fishing hair jigs.  While I am not sure of the size or the color I do know they were fishing areas with a defined break and cover on that break.  My partner and I saw them boat a couple in just such an area.  Their 19 lb., 09 oz first day five (5) fish limit gave then a two pound lead which they were able to maintain despite a less than stellar bite overall on day two.  Their winning two day total weight of 33 lbs., and 8 ozs. was the 10th heaviest in club history, a fact not lost on the rest of the field.  These two as a team, have carved themselves a 'niche' here in the north-east over the past few years.  They have proved once again that they are a force to be reckoned with in all spring events on Candlewood Lake.   Nice job guys.

The second place team of Neil DeStefano & Andre Gonis (2007 Club Anglers of The Year) had zeroed in on the hair jig bite as well.  Concentrating primarily on main lake wind blown points they were able to position themselves on day one close to the leaders though nearly five pound behind.  The second day of competition they dialed it up a notch and came to the scales with the heaviest catch of the day weighing 16 lbs., 12 ozs giving them a two day total weight of 31 lbs., 3 ozs. This bag was anchored by a beautiful smallmouth weighing 4 lbs., 13 ozs. (Andre Gonis) In just two short seasons these two have turned their fortunes around regarding spring time fishing on Candlewood and now must be considered as one of the 'favorites' here.  Keep it up guys, outstanding

The third place team of Scott Garrison (2006 & 2007 Open Champion) & new club member Jeff Puhalski were fishing hair as well.  Scott makes some of the best hair jigs around and he and Jeff made good use of them.  While I am at a loss as to what they were keying in on, one must assume it wasn't  what I was doing.  This team was considered odds -on favorites going into this event and the 15 lb., 9 0z. they weighed in on day one did nothing to dispel this feeling  heading into day two.  When you fish against Scott here in the spring you better bring your A game said a competitor who wished to remain nameless.  They were however unable to close the distance they needed for the victory and weighed in with a two day total of 28 lbs.,4 ozs.   A fine bit of work gentleman.

You know, it aint easy getting you guys to 'spill your guts'.  I guess I am going to have to invent some of it......