Utah’s Bill Brown caught 20 pounds, 11 ounces to lead on Day 1 of the Academy Sports & Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors on Lake Mead held out of Henderson, Nev.
April 6, 2016
Utah Club Angler Leads B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional At Lake Mead
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LAS VEGAS, Nev. — An emotionally charged day lifted Bill Brown of Utah into the lead at the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors event underway on Lake Mead.
Brown, of Grand Junction, Utah, caught 20 pounds, 11 ounces on Day 1 of the Western Regional.
“Two years ago, I lost my team partner and mentor and I’m fishing for him,” said Brown, of his longtime friend Kurt Walters. “Then last month I lost my dad to cancer.”
In his memory, Brown is competing in this tournament from Walters’ boat. What is more, Brown caught the fish putting him in the lead on a lure once used by Walters.
Understandably, he declined to discuss details about the lure. Brown, a member of the Top of Utah Bass Anglers, is targeting postspawn bass. He is doing so for a good reason.
“With spawning bass you are casting for individual fish,” he explained. “I don’t like to get locked down on one area, one fish.”
“The bass here are under a lot of fishing pressure, too, so running to different areas suits my style of fishing,” he continued. Instead of individual fish Brown is focused on specific areas of a given fishing location.
“It’s really spot on spot,” he explained. “There are pieces of cover I’m casting to and then moving on to another area.”
Brown might be just getting started on what might be an emotional win later in the week. “I left a bunch of fish behind, at least a couple of four pounders,” he said. “I know the areas where they are and I’ll go back tomorrow to catch them.”
Fishing pressure is of no concern to Brown. “I’m not at all worried about anyone catching my fish,” he continued. “In watching other anglers I’m doing something very different.”
The only tip Brown provided about his strategy is the water temperature. “It’s a few degrees warmer than most areas,” he said.
That clue says a lot about his choice of targeting bass that have spawned. As water temperatures rise after the spawn the fish begin migrating toward deeper water. That makes them easier to find under the fishing style chosen by Brown.
Most of the bass on Lake Mead have spawned, although some late bloomers can be caught. More options leave open the chance to expand strategies and have alternate plans if needed.
Competing on Lake Mead are 212 anglers from 11 western states. To be determined on Friday is the overall winner, the top finishing state team and qualifiers to bass fishing’s world championship.
Two anglers are paired with the boat owner and are allowed to keep five bass. The accompanying angler can keep three bass. A keeper bass measures at least 13 inches.
Utah’s 20 anglers collectively caught 177 pounds, 3 ounces to lead the team standings after Day 1. Brown, the overall leader and four teammates are inside the Top 10.
Nevada holds down second place with 176-7. Idaho is third with 170-8 and Arizona has 156-10 for fourth place. Colorado is fifth with 146-7.
This event is one of three regional tournaments qualifying anglers for the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. The top boater and non-boater from each state advances to bass club fishing’s championship competition.
Callville Bay Resort and Marina is tournament headquarters. Anglers depart at 6:15 a.m. PT and return for the weigh-in beginning at 2:30 p.m.
2016 Academy Sports & Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional presented by Magellan Outdoors 4/6-4/8
Lake Mead, Henderson NV.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO (UT) 5 20-11 0
2. Anthony Salazar Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 16-06 0
3. Timothy Klinger Boulder City, NV (NV) 5 16-03 0
4. Keegan Graves Meridian, ID (ID) 5 15-13 0
5. Kalib Lund Glendale, AZ (AZ) 5 15-10 0
6. Travis Graham De Beque, CO (UT) 5 15-04 0
7. Rick Culver Taylor, UT (UT) 5 14-11 0
8. Asa Stephenson Henderson , NV (NV) 5 14-06 0
9. Roger Mezenen Morgan, UT (UT) 5 14-01 0
10. Brandon Genova Denver, CO (CO) 5 14-00 0
10. Bubba O’Neill Evanston, WY (WY) 5 14-00 0
12. Jesse Milicevic Henderson, NV (NV) 5 13-13 0
13. Dane Lawrence Butte, MT (OR) 5 13-11 0
14. Mark Lassagne San Ramon, CA (CA) 5 13-10 0
15. Jason Crone Kalispell, MT (MT) 5 13-06 0
16. Ben Byrd Moab, UT (UT) 5 13-03 0
17. Tucker Cappella Alcova, WY (WY) 5 12-15 0
17. Nicholas Fitzsimmons Lyle, WA (OR) 5 12-15 0
19. Tim Johnston Kalispell , MT (MT) 5 12-13 0
20. Darrell Ocamica Payette, ID (ID) 5 12-12 0
21. Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA (CA) 5 12-08 0
22. David Kromm Kennewick, WA (WA) 5 12-07 0
22. Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT (UT) 5 12-07 0
22. David Mays Portland, OR (OR) 5 12-07 0
22. David Naugle Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 12-07 0
26. Kevin Wiggins Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 12-04 0
27. Sean Minderman Spokane, WA (WA) 5 12-03 0
28. Justin Campbell Pasco, WA (WA) 5 12-02 0
28. Mike Dominick Alberton, MT (MT) 5 12-02 0
30. James Hawkes Apache Juntion, AZ (AZ) 5 12-01 0
31. Greg Taylor Tucson, AZ (AZ) 5 12-00 0
32. Nate Caldwell Ft Collins, CO (CO) 5 11-15 0
32. Patrick Davis Henderson, NV (NV) 5 11-15 0
34. Chase Colby Heber City, UT (UT) 5 11-14 0
34. Brent Shores Boise, ID (ID) 5 11-14 0
36. Pete Acosta Brighton, CO (CO) 5 11-13 0
37. David Smith Sr Albuquerque, NM (NM) 5 11-11 0
38. Bill Golightly Preston, ID (WY) 5 11-09 0
38. Ron Mace Kennewick, WA (WA) 5 11-09 0
40. David Flemming Highlands Ranch, CO (CO 5 11-07 0
40. Jacob Russell Tucson, AZ (AZ) 5 11-07 0
42. Matt Fish Pasco, WA (WA) 5 11-04 0
42. Kelly Lee Twin Falls, ID (ID) 5 11-04 0
44. Rodney Brown Sacramento, CA (CA) 5 11-03 0
45. Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO (CO) 5 11-02 0
46. Jason Hickey Weiser, ID (ID) 5 11-00 0
47. Jay Evans Corvallis, MT (MT) 4 10-11 0
48. Don Dethloff Jr Coeur d Alene, ID (ID) 4 10-10 0
49. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO (CO) 5 10-09 0
50. Dan Jordan Camas, WA (OR) 5 10-08 0
51. Jim Davis Eagle, ID (ID) 5 10-06 0
52. Brian Bolander Scottsdale, AZ (AZ) 5 10-05 0
52. Reid Smith Bozeman, MT (MT) 5 10-05 0
54. Randy Campbell Sandia Park, NM (NM) 3 10-05 0
55. Lloyd Gilreath Sr Boise, ID (ID) 4 10-04 0
56. Joe Johnson Orem, UT (UT) 5 10-03 0
57. William Barkley Kalispell, MT (MT) 4 10-02 0
58. Steve Lund Glendale, AZ (AZ) 5 10-01 0
59. Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ (AZ) 5 09-15 0
60. Chris Gilkison Bakersfield, CA (CA) 5 09-14 0
60. Tony Shuyler Eagle , ID (ID) 5 09-14 0
62. Kent Thomson Millville, UT (UT) 5 09-13 0
63. Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID (WY) 5 09-12 0
63. Mark Warren Castle Rock, CO (CO) 5 09-12 0
63. Alan Zamora North Las Vegas, NV (NV 5 09-12 0
66. Joe Raftery Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 09-11 0
67. Kim Pfaff Deer Lodge, MT (MT) 4 09-10 0
68. Sean Andrachick Marion, MT (MT) 5 09-07 0
69. Ron Welch Corona, CA (CA) 5 09-05 0
70. Byron Chaves Tyler, TX (OR) 5 09-02 0
71. Travis Jarvis Wilder, ID (ID) 5 09-01 0
72. Jason Virgil Hermiston, OR (OR) 4 08-14 0
73. Kenny Oldham Coalville, UT (WY) 3 08-13 0
74. Andy Bravence Globe, AZ (AZ) 4 08-04 0
75. JL Neal Bend, OR (OR) 3 08-04 0
76. Moe Gutierrez Albuquberque, NM (NM) 5 08-02 0
77. Gary Collins Moorpark, CA (CA) 4 08-02 0
78. Rhett Fornof Midway, UT (UT) 5 07-12 0
79. Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ (AZ) 4 07-09 0
80. Bryan Kurata Thousand Oaks, CA (CA) 3 07-01 0
81. Jason Hooper Salem, OR (OR) 4 07-00 0
82. Mark Hilyer Libby, MT (MT) 4 06-15 0
83. Steven Wilson Rohnert Park, CA (CA) 3 06-15 0
84. Stephen Tauriello Las Vegas, NV (NV) 4 06-12 0
85. Todd Gentzel Colorado Springs, CO (C 4 06-02 0
86. Garry Harner Milliken, CO (CO) 3 06-02 0
87. Mitch Ratchford Kennewick, WA (WA) 2 06-00 0
88. Derek Phillips Castle Rock, CO (CO) 3 05-13 0
89. Randell Bell Elephant Butte, NM (NM) 3 05-11 0
89. Joe Cole Coalville, UT (WY) 3 05-11 0
91. Earl Conway Albuquerque, NM (NM) 4 05-07 0
92. Jeremy Percifield Kennewick, WA (WA) 3 05-06 0
93. Wade Macias Gallup, NM (NM) 2 04-04 0
94. Johnny Johnson Farmington, NM (NM) 2 03-14 0
95. Jon Kelley Arvin, CA (CA) 1 03-10 0
96. Stan Fisher Trout Creek, MT (MT) 2 03-05 0
97. Joe Ramirez Bayard, NM (NM) 1 02-14 0
97. Richard Shaff Jr Richland, WA (WA) 1 02-14 0
99. Dan Betz Hood River, OR (OR) 1 02-12 0
100. Mario Carreon Las Cruces, NM (NM) 1 02-04 0
101. Rick Mason Glendale, AZ (AZ) 1 01-14 0
102. Don Welch Morgan Hill, CA (CA) 1 01-08 0
103. Robert Gritski Goldendale, OR (OR) 1 01-07 0
104. Donnie Gatling Albuquerque, NM (NM) 0 00-00 0
104. Chris James Tacoma, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
104. Jonathan Lumper Kennewick, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 67 437 1024-12
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67 437 1024-12
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 UTAH 177-03
2 NEVADA 176-07
3 IDAHO 170-08
4 ARIZONA 156-10
5 COLORADO 146-07
6 MONTANA 144-15
7 OREGON 141-00
8 CALIFORNIA 126-04
9 WASHINGTON 120-01
10 WYOMING 97-04
11 NEW MEXICO 90-01
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
——————————
WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Kromm Kennewick, WA 5 12-07 0
2 Sean Minderman Spokane, WA 5 12-03 0
3 Justin Campbell Pasco, WA 5 12-02 0
4 Ron Mace Kennewick, WA 5 11-09 0
5 Matt Fish Pasco, WA 5 11-04 0
6 Mitch Ratchford Kennewick, WA 2 06-00 0
7 Jeremy Percifield Kennewick, WA 3 05-06 0
8 Richard Shaff Jr Richland, WA 1 02-14 0
9 Chris James Tacoma, WA 0 00-00 0
9 Jonathan Lumper Kennewick, WA 0 00-00 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Keegan Graves Meridian, ID 5 15-13 0
2 Darrell Ocamica Payette, ID 5 12-12 0
3 Brent Shores Boise, ID 5 11-14 0
4 Kelly Lee Twin Falls, ID 5 11-04 0
5 Jason Hickey Weiser, ID 5 11-00 0
6 Don Dethloff Jr Coeur d Alene, ID 4 10-10 0
7 Jim Davis Eagle, ID 5 10-06 0
8 Lloyd Gilreath Sr Boise, ID 4 10-04 0
9 Tony Shuyler Eagle , ID 5 09-14 0
10 Travis Jarvis Wilder, ID 5 09-01 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Dane Lawrence Butte, MT 5 13-11 0
2 Nicholas Fitzsimmons Lyle, WA 5 12-15 0
3 David Mays Portland, OR 5 12-07 0
4 Dan Jordan Camas, WA 5 10-08 0
5 Byron Chaves Tyler, TX 5 09-02 0
6 Jason Virgil Hermiston, OR 4 08-14 0
7 JL Neal Bend, OR 3 08-04 0
8 Jason Hooper Salem, OR 4 07-00 0
9 Dan Betz Hood River, OR 1 02-12 0
10 Robert Gritski Goldendale, OR 1 01-07 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Kalib Lund Glendale, AZ 5 15-10 0
2 James Hawkes Apache Juntion, AZ 5 12-01 0
3 Greg Taylor Tucson, AZ 5 12-00 0
4 Jacob Russell Tucson, AZ 5 11-07 0
5 Brian Bolander Scottsdale, AZ 5 10-05 0
6 Steve Lund Glendale, AZ 5 10-01 0
7 Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ 5 09-15 0
8 Andy Bravence Globe, AZ 4 08-04 0
9 Thomas Edwards Gilbert, AZ 4 07-09 0
10 Rick Mason Glendale, AZ 1 01-14 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bubba O’Neill Evanston, WY 5 14-00 0
2 Tucker Cappella Alcova, WY 5 12-15 0
3 Bill Golightly Preston, ID 5 11-09 0
4 Kyle Gelles Pingree, ID 5 09-12 0
5 Kenny Oldham Coalville, UT 3 08-13 0
6 Joe Cole Coalville, UT 3 05-11 0
NEW MEXICO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 David Smith Sr Albuquerque, NM 5 11-11 0
2 Randy Campbell Sandia Park, NM 3 10-05 0
3 Moe Gutierrez Albuquberque, NM 5 08-02 0
4 Randell Bell Elephant Butte, NM 3 05-11 0
5 Earl Conway Albuquerque, NM 4 05-07 0
6 Wade Macias Gallup, NM 2 04-04 0
7 Johnny Johnson Farmington, NM 2 03-14 0
8 Joe Ramirez Bayard, NM 1 02-14 0
9 Mario Carreon Las Cruces, NM 1 02-04 0
10 Donnie Gatling Albuquerque, NM 0 00-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Mark Lassagne San Ramon, CA 5 13-10 0
2 Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA 5 12-08 0
3 Rodney Brown Sacramento, CA 5 11-03 0
4 Chris Gilkison Bakersfield, CA 5 09-14 0
5 Ron Welch Corona, CA 5 09-05 0
6 Gary Collins Moorpark, CA 4 08-02 0
7 Bryan Kurata Thousand Oaks, CA 3 07-01 0
8 Steven Wilson Rohnert Park, CA 3 06-15 0
9 Jon Kelley Arvin, CA 1 03-10 0
10 Don Welch Morgan Hill, CA 1 01-08 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Jason Crone Kalispell, MT 5 13-06 0
2 Tim Johnston Kalispell , MT 5 12-13 0
3 Mike Dominick Alberton, MT 5 12-02 0
4 Jay Evans Corvallis, MT 4 10-11 0
5 Reid Smith Bozeman, MT 5 10-05 0
6 William Barkley Kalispell, MT 4 10-02 0
7 Kim Pfaff Deer Lodge, MT 4 09-10 0
8 Sean Andrachick Marion, MT 5 09-07 0
9 Mark Hilyer Libby, MT 4 06-15 0
10 Stan Fisher Trout Creek, MT 2 03-05 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Bill Brown Grand Junction, CO 5 20-11 0
2 Travis Graham De Beque, CO 5 15-04 0
3 Rick Culver Taylor, UT 5 14-11 0
4 Roger Mezenen Morgan, UT 5 14-01 0
5 Ben Byrd Moab, UT 5 13-03 0
6 Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT 5 12-07 0
7 Chase Colby Heber City, UT 5 11-14 0
8 Joe Johnson Orem, UT 5 10-03 0
9 Kent Thomson Millville, UT 5 09-13 0
10 Rhett Fornof Midway, UT 5 07-12 0
COLORADO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Brandon Genova Denver, CO 5 14-00 0
2 Nate Caldwell Ft Collins, CO 5 11-15 0
3 Pete Acosta Brighton, CO 5 11-13 0
4 David Flemming Highlands Ranch, CO 5 11-07 0
5 Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO 5 11-02 0
6 Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 10-09 0
7 Mark Warren Castle Rock, CO 5 09-12 0
8 Todd Gentzel Colorado Springs, CO 4 06-02 0
9 Garry Harner Milliken, CO 3 06-02 0
10 Derek Phillips Castle Rock, CO 3 05-13 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Total $$$
1 Anthony Salazar Las Vegas, NV 5 16-06 0
2 Timothy Klinger Boulder City, NV 5 16-03 0
3 Asa Stephenson Henderson , NV 5 14-06 0
4 Jesse Milicevic Henderson, NV 5 13-13 0
5 David Naugle Las Vegas, NV 5 12-07 0
6 Kevin Wiggins Las Vegas, NV 5 12-04 0
7 Patrick Davis Henderson, NV 5 11-15 0
8 Alan Zamora North Las Vegas, NV 5 09-12 0
9 Joe Raftery Las Vegas, NV 5 09-11 0
10 Stephen Tauriello Las Vegas, NV 4 06-12 0
