Dianna Clark Leads Women's Bassmaster Tour Bass Fishing Tournament at Lake Dardanelle
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Dianna Clark was on her way Thursday to a repeat performance in the Women's Bassmaster Tour.
Winner of the WBT event on Texas' Lewisville Lake in May, the Bumpus Mills, Tenn., angler was at the top of the Day 1 leaderboard at the Lake Dardanelle event, the fourth bass fishing tournament of the circuit's inaugural season.
Clark brought 14 pounds, 5 ounces of bass to the scales. Her Day 1 weight put a comfortable 2 pounds, 2 ounces between her and Kelley Shepherd of Cortez, Colo., who was in second place with 12-3.
Clark was the only angler to weigh-in a limit of five fish.
In third was Lucy Mize of Ben Lomond, Ark., with 10-8. Fourth was Rose Ellis of Birmingham, Ala., whose three fish included the day's largest bass, a 5-13 largemouth, worth a $1,000 bonus. Fifth was Emily Shaffer of Mount Juliet, Tenn., with 9-11.
Clark said she began her day with the goal of catching just one keeper, a feat she knew might prove to be tough, judging from the countless hours of her practice on Lake Dardanelle earlier this week.
"Then, once I started catching keeper fish, I knew I could go for a win," said Clark, 42, who has fished competitively full-time since retiring from the U.S. Army, where she repaired Apache helicopters. She's also a Persian Gulf War veteran.
Clark said she would be thrilled to take the Dardanelle trophy on Saturday and claim her second BASS win, but she is fixed on a bigger prize: one of 12 coveted pro berths into the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship on Lake Mitchell in Alabama, Feb. 22-25, 2007.
"Getting to the championship - that's what I'm shooting for. Winning it - wow, I'd love to win it," she said.
With a hold on fifth place in the championship-qualifying points race, Clark already has a straight shot at claiming a spot in the first WBT championship. A win on Dardanelle would likely clinch an entry for her in the Lake Mitchell competition.
WBT contenders accumulate points based on their finishes at each event. Only the top 12 pros and 12 co-anglers in the Women's Bassmaster Tour Toyota Angler of the Year points standings at the season's end in September will be invited to fish the February championship. After Dardanelle, there's just one more chance to move up in the points race: the Bull Shoals Lake tournament in Theodosia, Mo., Sept. 14-16.
The pros also are amassing points with an eye on becoming the first WBT Angler of the Year. The points leader at the end of the season gets the title and a 2007 Toyota Tundra.
Besides valuable points, the Lake Dardanelle WBT winner gets a Triton boat rig with Mercury outboard valued at $50,000. The event pays a total of about $85,000 to the top 25 finishers in the pro division.
In the co-angler division, Robertina Filburn of Vine Grove, Ky., took the lead with a three-fish limit that weighed 6-12. She was the only contender who filled the co-angler limit of three fish.
About a pound away from Filburn was Laura Elkins of Amarillo, Texas, who secured second place with one fish weighing 5-13. The lunker earned her a $500 bonus for having the largest bass of the day.
In third with 5-9 was Sharon Rushton of Kimberling City, Mo., who was the winning co-angler in the WBT preview event on Lewisville Lake in October 2005 and who is third in the co-angler points standings.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers were Bobbie Barfield of Bainbridge, Ga., with 5-4; and Elizabeth Sanders of Brandon, Miss., with 4-15.
Besides trying for the first-place co-angler prize of a Triton/Mercury package valued at $24,000, co-anglers are fishing this week to rack up points toward securing one of 12 WBT Championship co-angler berths.
After Friday's competition, the field is cut to the top six anglers and co-anglers. Weights of the first two days carry over to Saturday and women anglers will weigh-in at 3:15 p.m. CT at the Statehouse Convention Center.
2006 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 5
08/24-08/26 Lake Dardanelle,
Lake Dardanelle Ark.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, Tenn. 5 14-05 305
Day 1: 5 14-05
2. Kelley Shepherd Cortez, Colo. 4 12-03 295
Day 1: 4 12-03
3. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 4 10-08 290
Day 1: 4 10-08
4. Rose Ellis Birmingham, Ala. 3 10-03 285 $1,000.00
Day 1: 3 10-03
5. Emily Shaffer Mt Juliet, Tenn. 4 9-11 280
Day 1: 4 9-11
6. Linda Walker Beebe, Ark. 4 8-06 274
Day 1: 4 8-06
6. Paula Alexander Lincolnton, Ga. 3 8-06 274
Day 1: 3 8-06
8. Kimberlee Striker Cullman, Ala. 3 7-08 268
Day 1: 3 7-08
9. Angie Douthit Clewiston, Fla. 3 6-07 264
Day 1: 3 6-07
10. Laura Gober Pendergrass, Ga. 3 6-02 260
Day 1: 3 6-02
11. Robin Babb Livingston, Texas 4 6-00 257
Day 1: 4 6-00
12. Pam Martin-Wells Bainbridge, Ga. 2 5-12 254
Day 1: 2 5-12
13. Deanie Tate Arkadelphia, Ark. 3 5-10 251
Day 1: 3 5-10
14. Jan Hudson Harrison, Ark. 3 5-07 246
Day 1: 3 5-07
14. Cheryl Lalumandier Harvester, Mo. 2 5-07 246
Day 1: 2 5-07
16. Debra Hengst San Antonio, Texas 2 5-06 243
Day 1: 2 5-06
17. Linda Sands Cullman, Ala. 2 5-02 240
Day 1: 2 5-02
17. Tammie Muse North Little Rock, Ark 1 5-02 240
Day 1: 1 5-02
19. Tommie Domingue Livingston, Texas 2 4-14 237
Day 1: 2 4-14
20. Jonell Whitstine Many, La. 2 4-09 235
Day 1: 2 4-09
21. Mary Hencken Belmont, N.C. 2 3-15 233
Day 1: 2 3-15
22. Wanda Malmsbury Galena, Mo. 2 3-14 231
Day 1: 2 3-14
23. Tammy Richardson Amity, Ark. 2 3-11 229
Day 1: 2 3-11
24. Sandra Sherred Pittsburgh, Pa. 1 3-09 227
Day 1: 1 3-09
25. Conny Jenkins Knob Noster, Mo. 2 3-01 224
Day 1: 2 3-01
25. Michelle Armstrong Denver, N.C. 1 3-01 224
Day 1: 1 3-01
27. Susan Hand Muscle Shoals, Ala. 1 2-15 221
Day 1: 1 2-15
28. Sue Parrish Indianapolis, Ind. 1 2-11 219
Day 1: 1 2-11
29. Cindy van horn Fort Worth, Texas 2 2-10 217
Day 1: 2 2-10
30. Debra Petrowski Arlington, Texas 1 2-09 215
Day 1: 1 2-09
31. Christiana Bradley Bealeton, Va. 1 2-07 211
Day 1: 1 2-07
31. Kris Mcclendon Spicewood, Texas 1 2-07 211
Day 1: 1 2-07
31. Judy Wong Many, La. 1 2-07 211
Day 1: 1 2-07
34. Christie Thomas Reform, Ala. 2 2-06 207
Day 1: 2 2-06
35. Janet Parker Little Elm, Texas 1 2-04 205
Day 1: 1 2-04
36. Lisa Sternard Clarksville, Tenn. 1 2-03 203
Day 1: 1 2-03
37. Cindy Caperton Madison, Tenn. 1 2-01 197
Day 1: 1 2-01
37. Joan Craig London, Ark. 1 2-01 197
Day 1: 1 2-01
37. Brenda Davis Sand Springs, Okla. 1 2-01 197
Day 1: 1 2-01
37. Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, Okla. 1 2-01 197
Day 1: 1 2-01
37. Rhonda Pope Waco, Ga. 1 2-01 197
Day 1: 1 2-01
42. Kandie Candelaria Canyon Lake, Texas 1 2-00 191
Day 1: 1 2-00
43. Penny Berryman Hot Springs, Ark. 1 1-14 189
Day 1: 1 1-14
44. Helen Gordon Flower Mound, Texas 1 1-13 187
Day 1: 1 1-13
45. Lisa Johnson Aragon, Ga. 1 1-12 185
Day 1: 1 1-12
46. Julie Jacobson Janesville, Wisc. 1 1-11 183
Day 1: 1 1-11
47. Robinette Fox Hot Springs, Ark. 1 1-08 181
Day 1: 1 1-08
48. Pat White Pleasanton, Texas 1 1-00 179
Day 1: 1 1-00
49. Linda Owens Brandon, Miss. 1 0-14 177
Day 1: 1 0-14
50. Donna Newberry Van Buren, Ark. 1 0-10 175
Day 1: 1 0-10
51. Sarah Augustine Lake Charles, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Darla Bardelli Glendale, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Patti Campbell Waxahachie, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Jen Carroll Celina, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Lisa Craig Tyler, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Sue Crochet Lake Charles, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Kristy Darby Mt Ida, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Joan Davis West Lafayette, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Angela Dechau Pontiac, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Katrina Dehaven Phoenix, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Marsha Gipson Bigelow, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Susan Gregory Long Beach, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Jan Heavener Sherwood, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Cindy Hill Smyrna, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Louise Howard Eufaula, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Kathi Hurst Ripley, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Tami Kashiwabara Nagano-Shi, Japan 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Tanya Kreuzer Mesa, Ariz. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Crystal Langston Leighton, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Rae Lee Livingston, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Tina Lefler N Tazewell, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Danalee Lofton Little Rock, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Lori Masters Nashville, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Elizabeth Meisell Lancaster, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Laura Moore Vidor, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Teri Neal Cumming, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Shelley Perry Hurricane, W.Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Arah Phillips Tyler, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Carolyn Poole Defuniak Springs, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Linda Redford Blue Eye, Mo. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Juanita Robinson Highlands, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Melanie Rockey White, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Marcia Rubin Chagrin Falls, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Kellie Skelton Aztec, N.M. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Cheryl Spencer Tulsa, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Betty Stahl Guntersville, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Jennifer Stelly Sulphur, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Toni Stoner Ball Ground, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Rhonda Usery Cabot, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Ann Wells Danville, Ill. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Karen Welty Shelbyville, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Kathy Womack Moody, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. Secret York Benton, Ky. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
51. bonnie johnson Weatherford, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
95. Mary Divincenti Clinton, La. 0 -3-00 0
Day 1: 0 -3-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Rose Ellis Birmingham, Ala. 5-13 $1,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 1 95 213-09
----------------------------------
1 95 213-092006 Women's Bassmaster Tour Stop 5
08/24-08/26 Lake Dardanelle,
Lake Dardanelle Ark.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Robertina Filburn Vine Grove, Ky. 3 6-12 305
Day 1: 3 6-12
2. Laura Elkins Amarillo, Texas 1 5-13 295 $500.00
Day 1: 1 5-13
3. Sharon Rushton Kimberling City, Mo. 2 5-09 290
Day 1: 2 5-09
4. Bobbie Barfield Bainbridge, Ga. 2 5-04 285
Day 1: 2 5-04
5. Elizabeth Sanders Brandon, Miss. 1 4-15 280
Day 1: 1 4-15
6. Sherry Melton Monterey, Tenn. 2 4-11 276
Day 1: 2 4-11
7. Pam Ridgle Brownsboro, Texas 2 4-08 272
Day 1: 2 4-08
8. Cathy Smith Pineville, La. 2 3-13 268
Day 1: 2 3-13
9. Ronda Kirby Indianapolis, Ind. 2 3-11 264
Day 1: 2 3-11
10. Diane Smith Fayetteville, Ga. 1 3-07 260
Day 1: 1 3-07
11. Barbara Gaskins Suffolk, Va. 1 3-01 257
Day 1: 1 3-01
12. Carol Boykin Indianapolis, Ind. 1 2-13 254
Day 1: 1 2-13
13. Kali Weatherford Athens, Texas 1 2-12 251
Day 1: 1 2-12
14. Tammie Ply Harrison, Ark. 1 2-09 248
Day 1: 1 2-09
15. Pam Anthony Memphis, Tenn. 1 2-03 243
Day 1: 1 2-03
15. Donna Gilzow Bella Vista, Ark. 1 2-03 243
Day 1: 1 2-03
15. Keri Schieber Cumming, Ga. 1 2-03 243
Day 1: 1 2-03
18. Julie Garriety Grapevine, Texas 1 2-02 239
Day 1: 1 2-02
19. Susan Bowes Batavia, N.Y. 1 2-01 236
Day 1: 1 2-01
19. Shelia Wood Russellville, Ark. 1 2-01 236
Day 1: 1 2-01
21. Lila Bass Austin, Texas 1 1-15 233
Day 1: 1 1-15
22. Karen Williams Stark City, Mo. 1 1-14 231
Day 1: 1 1-14
23. Bonnie Ward Snohomish, Wash. 1 1-12 229
Day 1: 1 1-12
24. Angie Everitt Livingston, Texas 1 1-11 227
Day 1: 1 1-11
25. Terri Bittner Mckinleyville, Calif. 1 1-10 225
Day 1: 1 1-10
26. Kay Pennington Pineville, La. 1 1-06 223
Day 1: 1 1-06
27. Cheryl Allen Yantis, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Bridget Allen Philadelphia, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Patricia Atkinson Millis, Mass. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Linda Berry Madison, N.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Marsha Betz Richardson, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Cheryl Bowden Plano, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Carrie Bronson Polk City, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Lesa Brown Harrison, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Jo Dee Bucki Bessemer, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Sarah Busby Grand Lake, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Bj Carson Inola, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Bertha Cavakis Amity, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Shawn Conner Greenwood, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Cheryl Crafton Richmond, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Mary Croft Bedford, Va. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Susan Dameron Chattanooga, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Diane Delagarza Garland, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Beverly Dickson Little Rock, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Tracy Doty Roanoke, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Dianna Fanning Rogers, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Charlotte Frazier Dallas, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Denese Freeman Lawton, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Lillian Gutierrez San Antonio, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Barbie Haralson Broaddus, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Laura Heflin Topeka, Kan. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Jacqueline Helton Russellville, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Vicki Henderson Ashdown, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Carilyn Hill Coweta, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Cheryl Holloway Pollock, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Sylvia Hudson Jacksonville, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Karen James Bossier City, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Mary James Russellville, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Billie Jaynes Deerpark, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Sandi Karnes Livingston, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Dianne Kegley Norphlet, Ark. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Robin Kolton Elgin, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Deb Krueger Hastings, Mich. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Terri Mackinnon Milton, Canada 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Kimberly Martin Clayton, Ind. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Sharon Mcewen East Mckeesport, Pa. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Robin Mcfarlane San Antonio, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Darla Mcintosh Punta Gorda, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Colleen Mckay Worcester, Mass. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Toni Mode Eagle Creek, Ore. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Teresa Morris Moscow, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Tina Newman Soddy Daisy, Tenn. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Nancy Oliver Arnaudville, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Debbie Pegoli Loveland, Ohio 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Kim Petrowski Arlington, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Donna Prado San Antonio, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Brenda Reeves Arlington, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Kathy Riley Terry, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Karen Roberts Ashland, Ala. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Maggie Robledo Irving, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Violette Sesco Citrus Springs, Fla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Kim Stapp Ringgold, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Summer Stephens Flintstone, Ga. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Heather Sullivan Sitka, Alaska 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Linda Thomas Pryor, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Gerry Threadgill Onalaska, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Judy Vancanneyt Iuka, Miss. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Karol Whitehurst Winnsboro, Texas 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Susan Wild Washington, D.C. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Sharon Withers Many, La. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
27. Kala Wright Pocola, Okla. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
92. Christena Baugh Benton, Ark. 0 -1-00 0
Day 1: 0 -1-00
93. Cindy Burnham Ridgeway, Canada 0 -2-00 0
Day 1: 0 -2-00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Laura Elkins Amarillo, Texas 5-13 $500.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 1 34 79-11
----------------------------------
1 34 79-11
