Tuesday, May 29, 2007
SML to host pro bass fishing's ultimate showcase
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor's Outdoors column and notebook appears regularly in The Roanoke Times.
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On a reservoir as big and busy as Smith Mountain Lake it would be tough to notice much of a difference if 100 extra boats were out on the water, at least on a nice summer weekend.
But when these 100 or so boats hit the lake by this time next week they'll be impossible to miss.
The sleek bass boats (and their tow rigs, for that matter) will feature some of the most creative color schemes imaginable, with some featuring logo-based designs that make Nextel Cup cars look tame.
The drivers will also stand out, as many of professional bass fishing's biggest stars will hit the lake for a Bassmaster Elite Series tournament.
The tournament runs June 7-10, but anglers will get into town this weekend and spend a couple of final practice days on the lake.
Organizers are putting the final touches on what's being called the Blue Ridge Brawl, which is by far the most prestigious bass tournament to ever reach the lake.
Event officials recently announced that the tournament's headquarters will be Parkway Marina, formally known as Saunders Marina.
The marina is at the end of Smith Mountain Lake Parkway on the Bedford County side, south of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
Tournament planners had considered a number of options before choosing Parkway.
One option was the Bridgewater Plaza area, which hosted the Bassmaster Open tournament in 2004 and 2006.
The Bridgewater site had a couple of advantages. Not only is it relatively close to Roanoke and easy to reach, but the balconies on the retail shop building made for great viewing of the tournament weigh-ins.
Sites for Elite Series events, however, not only need room for fans to view the weigh-in, but for vendors to set up displays for the expo that accompanies each Elite Series event. The Parkway Marina area has that necessary room.
Fans from Roanoke are looking at nearly an hour's drive to reach Parkway Marina. But while that may deter a few folks from attending, expect big crowds.
The 2004 and 2006 Bassmaster Opens featured only a handful of bass fishing's biggest stars -- of course, one was local favorite David Dudley and another was Mike Iaconelli -- but the crowds were impressive. With all of the BASS circuit's big names at this event, the region's fishing fans won't mind driving a few extra miles to see their favorites.
Timing should also help attendance.
The Opens were both in the fall and there was little recreational boat traffic during the events. On the Saturday and Sunday of the tournament many folks likely will simply boat over to the marina to check out the action.
The anglers will take off each morning starting at 5:50 a.m., with weigh-ins getting underway at 3 p.m.
For more tournament information visit bassmaster.com.
Fishy but sweet
One Franklin County business is doing something unique to celebrate the Elite Series tournament.
In conjunction with the event, Homestead Creamery of Wirtz is producing a limited edition ice cream, the aptly named Fisherman's Treat.
Yes, the vanilla-based ice cream contains fish.
But they're chocolate fish.
The ice cream is available in local stores that carry Homestead products and will be available at the tournament.
Piedmont paddling
As if Franklin County officials didn't have enough going on with the bass tournament and the planned June 6 dedication of the new Smith Mountain Lake Community Park, this weekend the county will host hundreds of canoeists and kayakers for the Pigg River Ramble and two other paddling events.
Friday's Blackwater Blackout night paddle will start at 9 p.m. Saturday's Pigg River Ramble race and float gets underway at 10 a.m. from Waid Recreation Area.
Paddlers doing the Breakfast on the Blackwater casual paddle can start checking in at 7 a.m. Preregistration is required for the Breakfast on the Blackwater float.
For more information, visit historicrockymount.com.
Roanoke Triathlon Club reorganizing
Seeing "all these cool organized clubs" at races has motivated Roanoke triathlete Kati Derrick to reorganize the Roanoke Triathlon Club.
The club will hold a meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at the Kirk Family YMCA. Membership at the Y is not required to attend.
For more information, contact Derrick at derricks@cox.net or 725-6955.
