TROUT CREEK, Mont. — Chris Felty’s day didn’t go as planned, but he’s OK with that. The Idaho angler found his groove on Montana’s Noxon Reservoir and now leads on Day 1 of the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional.
“This morning, I went to my No. 1 spot from practice,” said Felty of Caldwell, Idaho, “but all the good fish were gone. So I moved into current and just started looking for smallmouth.”
His Plan B paid off, and he brought in a bag of 13 pounds, 11 ounces, nearly a pound heavier than anyone else in the field.
“It was a grind to get my weight,” Felty said, but he managed it with a mixed bag of four smallmouth and one largemouth.
Felty has been a member of Boise Bass, an Idaho B.A.S.S. Nation club, for two years, and this is his first B.A.S.S. Nation divisional.
“I’ve never led a tournament before,” he said. “It’s tough. You can lose on the first day, but you can’t win on the first day.”
Now, Felty has pressure on him.
“I’m just going to go back and chase smallmouth tomorrow,” he said. “The water will get dirtier, so I have to have enough patience to get it going and wait for the bite to happen.”
Although no one is right on his heels, the rest of the anglers in the Top 12 have more than 12 pounds, so they’re not that far back. Half the field caught five-fish limits, and a handful of the anglers weighed in bass on Day 1 that exceeded 3 pounds. His 1-pound margin is healthy but doesn’t give him much wiggle room.
Felty’s overall lead helped his state team to a second-place standing after Day 1. Idaho has a cumulative weight of 106 pounds, 5 ounces, and throughout the weigh-in, it swapped the top spot back and forth with Montana. Montana, the host state, ultimately ended the day in first place with 114 pounds.
“Last time we hosted the divisional, we didn’t do that well,” said Curtis Spindler, Montana B.A.S.S. Nation president. “We had good anglers then, and we have good anglers now. So we’re going to try our best to win this time.”
In the lead for Montana is Tim Johnston of Kalispell, Mont., who won the top spot on Montana’s team last year and went on to compete in the 2014 Bassmaster Classic after winning the West at the national championship. He’s vying for another top spot and potential trip to the Classic.
“I still can’t get over the fact that I was in the Classic,” said Johnston. “I had dreams about it for three weeks afterward. I want to go back.”
If Johnston maintains his lead for Montana, he’ll compete in the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Louisiana’s Ouachita River, Nov. 6-8. Currently on deck to join him are Felty for Idaho; Eric Hammer, Arizona; Dwayne Fochler, California; Scott Sheldon, Colorado; Kevin Wiggins, Nevada; Kyle Price, New Mexico; Michael Gibney, Oregon; Don Allphin, Utah; Mitch Ratchford, Washington; and Bill Golightly, Wyoming.
The biggest bass on Day 1 was a 5-4 caught by second-place Mitch Ratchford of Kennewick, Wash. If his bass holds up, he’ll earn Carhartt Big Bass honors for the tournament.
On Thursday, Bassmaster.com will continue coverage of the 2014 B.A.S.S. Nation Western Divisional. Takeoff is at Lakeside Motel and Resort Boat Launch in Trout Creek, Mont., at 6 a.m. MT. The weigh-in is in the same place at 2 p.m. MT. Competition concludes on Friday, May 23.
2014 BASS Nation Western Divisional 5/21-5/23
Noxon Reservoir, Trout Creek, Mont.
(ANGLER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts
1. Chris Felty Caldwell, ID (ID) 5 13-11 0
2. Mitch Ratchford Kennewick, WA (WA) 5 12-15 0
3. Don Allphin Provo, UT (UT) 5 12-14 0
4. Keegan Graves Meridian, ID (ID) 5 12-11 0
5. Clint Johanson Benton City, WA (WA) 5 12-10 0
6. Bill Golightly Preston, ID (WY) 5 12-07 0
7. Michael Gibney Gresham, OR (OR) 5 12-04 0
7. Scott Sheldon Loveland, CO (CO) 5 12-04 0
9. Dwayne Fochler Camarillo, CA (CA) 5 12-03 0
10. Timothy John Johnston Kalispell , MT (MT) 5 12-01 0
10. Cody King Island City, OR (OR) 5 12-01 0
12. Jim Armstrong Missoula, MT (MT) 5 12-00 0
13. Leroy Starling Whitefish, MT (MT) 5 11-12 0
14. Mike Dominick Alberton, MT (MT) 5 11-11 0
15. Jason Hickey Weiser, ID (ID) 5 11-07 0
15. Kyle Price Las Cruces, NM (NM) 5 11-07 0
17. Kevin Wiggins Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 11-06 0
18. Harrison Bertsch Rathdrum, ID (ID) 5 11-04 0
18. Michael R Kitts Flora Vista, NM (NM) 5 11-04 0
20. Eric Hammer Peoria, AZ (AZ) 5 11-02 0
21. Nicholas Fitzsimmons Lyle, WA (OR) 5 10-12 0
21. Kory Ray Lebanon, OR (OR) 5 10-12 0
23. Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT (UT) 5 10-08 0
23. Brent Shores Boise, ID (ID) 5 10-08 0
25. Sam Laurence Martin Moscow, ID (MT) 5 10-05 0
26. Levi McNeill West Valley, UT (WY) 5 10-04 0
27. Chase Ratchford Kennewick, WA (WA) 5 10-03 0
28. Joseph Gamboa Albuquerque, NM (NM) 5 10-01 0
29. Curtis Spindler Missoula, MT (MT) 5 09-14 0
30. William Gibbs John Day, OR (OR) 5 09-13 0
31. Dave Lee Mesa, AZ (AZ) 4 09-12 0
32. Chris Lambert Olympia, WA (WA) 5 09-10 0
32. Curtis Welch Arvada, CO (CO) 5 09-10 0
34. Jeremiah Hofstetter Aurora, CO (CO) 5 09-09 0
35. Jeremy Metcalf Payette, ID (ID) 5 09-08 0
35. Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO (CO) 5 09-08 0
37. Franco Vallejos Albuquerque, NM (NM) 5 09-07 0
38. Rick White Herriman, UT (UT) 5 09-06 0
39. Randy Gust Osburn, ID (MT) 5 09-02 0
40. Jay Evans Corvallis, MT (MT) 5 09-00 0
40. TJ Hiatt Vernal, UT (UT) 5 09-00 0
40. Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT (MT) 5 09-00 0
43. Nate Crofts Star, ID (ID) 5 08-13 0
44. Sean Minderman Spokane, WA (WA) 5 08-12 0
45. Steve Lund Glendale , AZ (AZ) 5 08-11 0
46. Seth Garrison Las Cruces, NM (NM) 5 08-10 0
46. Casey Welch Arvada, CO (CO) 5 08-10 0
48. Dan Wells Yuba City, CA (CA) 4 08-08 0
49. Earl Conway Albuquerque, NM (NM) 5 08-07 0
50. Jim Conlin Thompson Falls, MT (MT) 5 08-06 0
50. Denton L Crofts Meridian, ID (ID) 5 08-06 0
50. Chris Dombkowski Cibolo, TX (CO) 5 08-06 0
50. Tim Myers N Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 08-06 0
54. Robert Peixotto Albuquerque, NM (NM) 5 08-04 0
55. Toby Robinson Henderson, NV (NV) 5 08-03 0
56. Jeff Colwell Windsor, CO (CO) 5 08-01 0
56. Ellison Hubbard Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 08-01 0
58. David Bertsch Harrison, ID (ID) 5 08-00 0
59. Broc Lindauer Honeyville, UT (UT) 5 07-15 0
60. Kevin J Gray Hermiston, OR (OR) 4 07-12 0
61. Todd Woolard Salem, OR (OR) 5 07-10 0
62. Joe Cole Coalville, UT (WY) 5 07-09 0
63. Paul Hemsley North Las Vegas, NV (NV 5 07-08 0
64. Don Collins Kalispell, MT (MT) 3 07-08 0
65. James Cope Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 07-07 0
66. Mike Powell Heber City, UT (UT) 5 07-05 0
67. David Vega McCammon , ID (WY) 4 07-05 0
68. Stephen Pike Las Vegas, NV (NV) 5 06-14 0
69. Randy Campbell Sandia Park, NM (NM) 3 06-08 0
70. Ronald Welch Corona, CA (CA) 5 06-05 0
71. Randy Wilde Ft Duchesne, UT (UT) 3 06-05 0
72. Mark Warren Castle Rock, CO (CO) 4 06-04 0
72. Earl Wells Payette, ID (ID) 4 06-04 0
74. Jake Cook Pasco, WA (WA) 5 06-01 0
75. Patrick J Davis Henderson, NV (NV) 3 06-01 0
76. Vinnie Macchirella Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 05-15 0
77. Richard Shaff Richland, WA (WA) 3 05-12 0
78. Courtney Adams Nibley, UT (UT) 3 05-08 0
79. Gary Collins Moorpark, CA (CA) 3 05-05 0
80. Nate Caldwell Ft Collins, CO (CO) 4 05-04 0
80. Zackery Shaff Richland, WA (WA) 4 05-04 0
82. Mark Powers Platteville, CO (CO) 3 05-02 0
83. Danny Longoria Tucson, AZ (AZ) 3 05-01 0
83. David Mays Portland, OR (OR) 3 05-01 0
85. Matt France West Valley City, UT (U 3 04-15 0
86. Jason Hooper Salem, OR (OR) 3 04-14 0
87. Trace Myers Santaquin, UT (UT) 2 04-12 0
88. Heather Stiegelmeyer Spokane Valley, WA (WA) 3 04-10 0
89. Pat Hanning Tucson, AZ (AZ) 2 04-09 0
90. Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ (AZ) 3 04-05 0
91. Larry Hutchens Hillsboro, OR (OR) 3 04-04 0
92. Jack E Phelps Aztec, NM (NM) 3 04-01 0
93. Chad Hullinger West Valley City, UT (W 2 04-01 0
94. Bink Desaro Meridian, ID (ID) 3 03-15 0
94. Taylor Tucker Mountain View, WY (WY) 3 03-15 0
96. Mike Coleman Pinoeer, CA (CA) 3 03-14 0
96. Dale Howard Las Vegas, NV (NV) 3 03-14 0
98. Brent Thompson Pendleton, OR (OR) 3 03-11 0
99. Kevin Sherry Ojai, CA (CA) 3 03-10 0
100. Trevor Scott Firestone, CO (CO) 3 03-09 0
101. "Chief" Torrez Camarillo, CA (CA) 2 03-07 0
102. Martin Brian Oxnard, CA (CA) 2 03-06 0
103. Robert Wysong Hauser Lk, ID (MT) 2 03-05 0
104. Ken Landry Tucson, AZ (AZ) 2 03-04 0
105. Lance Tillotson Aurora, CO (CO) 2 03-02 0
106. Dave Cole Heber, UT (WY) 1 02-15 0
106. Donald Peters Las Cruces, NM (NM) 1 02-15 0
106. Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO (UT) 1 02-15 0
109. Bret Nagelhout Red Rock, AZ (AZ) 2 02-12 0
110. Dwayne Gregory Tucson, AZ (AZ) 2 02-09 0
111. Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA (CA) 2 02-06 0
112. Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA (CA) 2 02-05 0
113. Matthew F Antonich Post Falls, ID (ID) 1 01-14 0
114. Jeff Jones Thousand Oaks, CA (CA) 1 01-12 0
115. Brian Bolander Scottsdale, AZ (AZ) 1 01-09 0
116. Dominic Amato Las Vegas, NV (NV) 1 01-08 0
116. Gene Batey Jr. Pasco, WA (WA) 1 01-08 0
118. Rick Culver Taylor, UT (UT) 1 01-07 0
118. Becca Golightly Preston, ID (WY) 1 01-07 0
120. Joe Griffin Tucson, AZ (AZ) 1 01-06 0
121. Andy Bravence Globe, AZ (AZ) 1 01-03 0
122. Tyler Wilson Carlsbad, NM (NM) 1 01-01 0
123. Donald Welch Morgan Hill, CA (CA) 1 00-15 0
124. Randell Bell Elephant Butte, NM (NM) 1 00-13 0
125. Jacob Anderson Richland, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
125. UT HS - Northrup / Cole Henefer, UT (UT) 0 00-00 0
125. AZ HS Epley / Dirk Elliott Tucson, AZ (AZ) 0 00-00 0
125. CO HS Deakin Fuller Broomfield, CO (CO) 0 00-00 0
125. OR HS - Brey / Garrison Carlton, OR (OR) 0 00-00 0
125. Dan Jordan Camas, WA (OR) 0 00-00 0
125. MT HS Evans / Josey Corvallis, MT (MT) 0 00-00 0
125. Jesse Milicevic Henderson, NV (NV) 0 00-00 0
125. NM HS - Sosa-Carver / Monroe Mesilla Park, NM (NM) 0 00-00 0
125. ID HS - Torok / Payne Hayden, ID (ID) 0 00-00 0
125. Kelvin Ratchford Kennwick, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
125. WA HS - Plank / Scroggins Longview, WA (WA) 0 00-00 0
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 64 466 876-14
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64 466 876-14
TEAM STANDINGS Day 1
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State Lbs-Oz
1 MONTANA 114-00
2 IDAHO 106-05
3 COLORADO 89-05
4 OREGON 88-14
5 NEW MEXICO 82-14
6 UTAH 82-14
7 WASHINGTON 77-05
8 NEVADA 75-03
9 ARIZONA 56-03
10 CALIFORNIA 54-00
11 WYOMING 49-15
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS Day 1
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WASHINGTON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Mitch Ratchford Kennewick, WA 5 12-15 0
2 Clint Johanson Benton City, WA 5 12-10 0
3 Chase Ratchford Kennewick, WA 5 10-03 0
4 Chris Lambert Olympia, WA 5 09-10 0
5 Sean Minderman Spokane, WA 5 08-12 0
6 Jake Cook Pasco, WA 5 06-01 0
7 Richard Shaff Richland, WA 3 05-12 0
8 Zackery Shaff Richland, WA 4 05-04 0
9 Heather Stiegelmeyer Spokane Valley, WA 3 04-10 0
10 Gene Batey Jr. Pasco, WA 1 01-08 0
11 Jacob Anderson Richland, WA 0 00-00 0
11 Kelvin Ratchford Kennwick, WA 0 00-00 0
11 WA HS - Plank / Scroggins Longview, WA 0 00-00 0
IDAHO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Chris Felty Caldwell, ID 5 13-11 0
2 Keegan Graves Meridian, ID 5 12-11 0
3 Jason Hickey Weiser, ID 5 11-07 0
4 Harrison Bertsch Rathdrum, ID 5 11-04 0
5 Brent Shores Boise, ID 5 10-08 0
6 Jeremy Metcalf Payette, ID 5 09-08 0
7 Nate Crofts Star, ID 5 08-13 0
8 Denton L Crofts Meridian, ID 5 08-06 0
9 David Bertsch Harrison, ID 5 08-00 0
10 Earl Wells Payette, ID 4 06-04 0
11 Bink Desaro Meridian, ID 3 03-15 0
12 Matthew F Antonich Post Falls, ID 1 01-14 0
13 ID HS - Torok / Payne Hayden, ID 0 00-00 0
OREGON
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Michael Gibney Gresham, OR 5 12-04 0
2 Cody King Island City, OR 5 12-01 0
3 Nicholas Fitzsimmons Lyle, WA 5 10-12 0
3 Kory Ray Lebanon, OR 5 10-12 0
5 William Gibbs John Day, OR 5 09-13 0
6 Kevin J Gray Hermiston, OR 4 07-12 0
7 Todd Woolard Salem, OR 5 07-10 0
8 David Mays Portland, OR 3 05-01 0
9 Jason Hooper Salem, OR 3 04-14 0
10 Larry Hutchens Hillsboro, OR 3 04-04 0
11 Brent Thompson Pendleton, OR 3 03-11 0
12 OR HS - Brey / Garrison Carlton, OR 0 00-00 0
12 Dan Jordan Camas, WA 0 00-00 0
ARIZONA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Eric Hammer Peoria, AZ 5 11-02 0
2 Dave Lee Mesa, AZ 4 09-12 0
3 Steve Lund Glendale , AZ 5 08-11 0
4 Danny Longoria Tucson, AZ 3 05-01 0
5 Pat Hanning Tucson, AZ 2 04-09 0
6 Gerald Kimzey Willcox, AZ 3 04-05 0
7 Ken Landry Tucson, AZ 2 03-04 0
8 Bret Nagelhout Red Rock, AZ 2 02-12 0
9 Dwayne Gregory Tucson, AZ 2 02-09 0
10 Brian Bolander Scottsdale, AZ 1 01-09 0
11 Joe Griffin Tucson, AZ 1 01-06 0
12 Andy Bravence Globe, AZ 1 01-03 0
13 AZ HS Epley / Dirk Elliott Tucson, AZ 0 00-00 0
WYOMING
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Bill Golightly Preston, ID 5 12-07 0
2 Levi McNeill West Valley, UT 5 10-04 0
3 Joe Cole Coalville, UT 5 07-09 0
4 David Vega McCammon , ID 4 07-05 0
5 Chad Hullinger West Valley City, UT 2 04-01 0
6 Taylor Tucker Mountain View, WY 3 03-15 0
7 Dave Cole Heber, UT 1 02-15 0
8 Becca Golightly Preston, ID 1 01-07 0
NEW MEXICO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Kyle Price Las Cruces, NM 5 11-07 0
2 Michael R Kitts Flora Vista, NM 5 11-04 0
3 Joseph Gamboa Albuquerque, NM 5 10-01 0
4 Franco Vallejos Albuquerque, NM 5 09-07 0
5 Seth Garrison Las Cruces, NM 5 08-10 0
6 Earl Conway Albuquerque, NM 5 08-07 0
7 Robert Peixotto Albuquerque, NM 5 08-04 0
8 Randy Campbell Sandia Park, NM 3 06-08 0
9 Jack E Phelps Aztec, NM 3 04-01 0
10 Donald Peters Las Cruces, NM 1 02-15 0
11 Tyler Wilson Carlsbad, NM 1 01-01 0
12 Randell Bell Elephant Butte, NM 1 00-13 0
13 NM HS - Sosa-Carver / Monroe Mesilla Park, NM 0 00-00 0
CALIFORNIA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Dwayne Fochler Camarillo, CA 5 12-03 0
2 Dan Wells Yuba City, CA 4 08-08 0
3 Ronald Welch Corona, CA 5 06-05 0
4 Gary Collins Moorpark, CA 3 05-05 0
5 Mike Coleman Pinoeer, CA 3 03-14 0
6 Kevin Sherry Ojai, CA 3 03-10 0
7 "Chief" Torrez Camarillo, CA 2 03-07 0
8 Martin Brian Oxnard, CA 2 03-06 0
9 Jason Hemminger Oxnard, CA 2 02-06 0
10 Dejon Lewis Ventura, CA 2 02-05 0
11 Jeff Jones Thousand Oaks, CA 1 01-12 0
12 Donald Welch Morgan Hill, CA 1 00-15 0
MONTANA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Timothy John Johnston Kalispell , MT 5 12-01 0
2 Jim Armstrong Missoula, MT 5 12-00 0
3 Leroy Starling Whitefish, MT 5 11-12 0
4 Mike Dominick Alberton, MT 5 11-11 0
5 Sam Laurence Martin Moscow, ID 5 10-05 0
6 Curtis Spindler Missoula, MT 5 09-14 0
7 Randy Gust Osburn, ID 5 09-02 0
8 Jay Evans Corvallis, MT 5 09-00 0
8 Leon Stiffarm Columbia Falls, MT 5 09-00 0
10 Jim Conlin Thompson Falls, MT 5 08-06 0
11 Don Collins Kalispell, MT 3 07-08 0
12 Robert Wysong Hauser Lk, ID 2 03-05 0
13 MT HS Evans / Josey Corvallis, MT 0 00-00 0
UTAH
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Don Allphin Provo, UT 5 12-14 0
2 Mike Lavallee Sandy, UT 5 10-08 0
3 Rick White Herriman, UT 5 09-06 0
4 TJ Hiatt Vernal, UT 5 09-00 0
5 Broc Lindauer Honeyville, UT 5 07-15 0
6 Mike Powell Heber City, UT 5 07-05 0
7 Randy Wilde Ft Duchesne, UT 3 06-05 0
8 Courtney Adams Nibley, UT 3 05-08 0
9 Matt France West Valley City, UT 3 04-15 0
10 Trace Myers Santaquin, UT 2 04-12 0
11 Randy Pierson Grand Junction, CO 1 02-15 0
12 Rick Culver Taylor, UT 1 01-07 0
13 UT HS - Northrup / Cole Henefer, UT 0 00-00 0
COLORADO
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Scott Sheldon Loveland, CO 5 12-04 0
2 Curtis Welch Arvada, CO 5 09-10 0
3 Jeremiah Hofstetter Aurora, CO 5 09-09 0
4 Larry Triplett Castle Rock, CO 5 09-08 0
5 Casey Welch Arvada, CO 5 08-10 0
6 Chris Dombkowski Cibolo, TX 5 08-06 0
7 Jeff Colwell Windsor, CO 5 08-01 0
8 Mark Warren Castle Rock, CO 4 06-04 0
9 Nate Caldwell Ft Collins, CO 4 05-04 0
10 Mark Powers Platteville, CO 3 05-02 0
11 Trevor Scott Firestone, CO 3 03-09 0
12 Lance Tillotson Aurora, CO 2 03-02 0
13 CO HS Deakin Fuller Broomfield, CO 0 00-00 0
NEVADA
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz
1 Kevin Wiggins Las Vegas, NV 5 11-06 0
2 Tim Myers N Las Vegas, NV 5 08-06 0
3 Toby Robinson Henderson, NV 5 08-03 0
4 Ellison Hubbard Las Vegas, NV 5 08-01 0
5 Paul Hemsley North Las Vegas, NV 5 07-08 0
6 James Cope Las Vegas, NV 3 07-07 0
7 Stephen Pike Las Vegas, NV 5 06-14 0
8 Patrick J Davis Henderson, NV 3 06-01 0
9 Vinnie Macchirella Las Vegas, NV 3 05-15 0
10 Dale Howard Las Vegas, NV 3 03-14 0
11 Dominic Amato Las Vegas, NV 1 01-08 0
12 Jesse Milicevic Henderson, NV 0 00-00 0