Anyone heard of any news as to when they are gonna put out next years schedule?? Just curious Ive been hearing rumors so....
I get the feeling FLW will be cutting back next year, hopefully that does not affect the MI division. There was a discussion on another board with guys around the country asking the same thing.
http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zerothread/452592-2010-flw-bfl-and-stren
http://www.bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=3425
Yeah im getting the same feeling.. I hope not..If so back to the westside 4 me..
The more i read the more i think our division is in trouble. If i remember hearing right Anthony will not be back next year. so was he cut from the staff?? he was a great guy.. i hope not.Plus i didnt feel we drew the boats that some of the other divisions pull??Now im worried..boo i hope not
Maybe the tournament director before Anthony had it right. He always told me that they had tried starting the MI Div. Series in other lakes but only did well on boat draws when the series was started in Lk. St. Clair. That is why he always started at Metro. I believe the numbers started to decline prior to this economic down turn when they changed the schedule.
Any word there Eric on if the ole Burt Mullet gonna make another showing??? I hope so as im sure u do also..
Phil,
Anthony was definitely not cut from the staff. He was without a doubt the best tournament director I have ever dealt with in the 20 years of tourney fishing I have done. Unfortunately, Anthony did not draw out for Michigan in the pool they put in for every year. I am not at liberty to explain what happened, but I hope he will be back the following year. I really think that FLW may move him up higher in the ranks, but do not know for sure. He is very gifted at what he does and FLW would be crazy not to do more with him. I believe that the BFL will be back next year although that is not in stone. There is a good chance Burt and Mullett will be our first stop and I believe we will be staying on Erie and St Clair after that.
I fished the Okie division for a year - Mark McWha was the director. Good guy - everything ran smoothly.
I will miss Anthony for sure. I agree with Heath, best tx director I have ever seen.
Rumor I heard was schedule just like this year, except Sandusky is replaced with Detroit River. But thats just a rumor, I have no facts.
Seth
Seth did you get your skeg fixed?
Posted on another site today:
I know several guys are looking for the schedule's, I got a call back from FLW Outdoors and the guy I talked to went over to the main board and called off the schedules for next year that I was looking for. He said they are about 95% set right now (still waiting on a couple of permits to come through). They said they hope to have the schedule's on the website by next Wednesday, if the final permits come through
Quote from: Team houston on October 14, 2009, 02:29:02 PM
Seth did you get your skeg fixed?
No, nothing has been fixed (truck, prop or skeg). I backed the boat into the garage and have not done anything with it. I did put stabil in the fuel and ran it briefly on Wolverine, but thats it.
Talked to Robert Vanderson two weeks ago, he said to feel free to call him at FLW. The tenative schedule is Burt mullet First weekend of June. Detroit River at the beginning of July, Metro Beach at the end of July, Detroit river Aug. 20, and he wasn't sure if they were going to do Metro Beach or Detroit river for the Super Tournament in September. The regional is at Kentucky Lake around the end of October. Hope this helps guys
If that's close to being right, I like it. No Sandusky, and a Kentucky Lake regional. It would be nice to do a St. Clair super tournament for a change of pace. It seems like the super's been on the river forever.
Is Rob V. our new TD?
There have been a few more qualifiers from Michigan than that and I would include the Great Lakes region / Michigan division in that, not just Michigan residents. If I recall, the regional can not be held on a body of water that any of the divisions have fished that year so we could not fish St. Clair, Detroit River or some part of Lake Erie unless it is off the schedule that year. The weather is a big part also, but so are facilities and local support.
Burt and Mullett and other northern waters have been considered. Facilities and weather are part of the issues up there also, but I think we may be able to continue to impact our chances by working for more knowledge of, and acceptance of our sport by government and civic bodies who can drive the level of support (or we could build a big marina on one of the northern chains?).
Personally, I don't mind competing on new waters or even waters that might be considered local to other anglers. There are so many factors involved in successful tournament fishing, and that is part of the challenge of being a well-rounded, successful tournament angler. When you do well, it feels that much more like a great experience and accomplishment.
Michigan anglers should be successful and very well-rounded. Just ask the KVD guy...
Dan Kimmel should be on that list. He fished the 2001 All American with myself.
Well as long as you are not getting nit picky. Since they use to take eight and now they take six because there are more divisions. For those who are interested Dan came in 7th.
The 2010 BFL scheduals are finally out
http://bfl.flwoutdoors.com/schedule.cfm?bTournamentRef=0&cid=2&did=20&state=ALL&tmonth=0&tyear=2010&ln=0
I didn't see a regional listed. Did I just miss it?
Wasn't very good planning on there part having a tourney the same weekend as the BASS OPEN.
Quote from: markgoetsch on October 27, 2009, 08:05:39 PM
Wasn't very good planning on there part having a tourney the same weekend as the BASS OPEN.
Yeah, no kidding. :(
2 of the 3 northern strens overlap with the BFL also.
Too bad, I really want the BFL to grow. When I fished the NE division, we had full 200 boat fields. So much fun. I don't see it getting any bigger in 2010 with the schedule conflicts.
I am thinking about the Strens, I love the schedule. Down side is that there is not a no-entry fee championship in 2010.
Seth
Who knows what to do?? Me personally i will prolly fish 1 next year and thats it. Burt Mullet. Its enjoyable and your gonna catch a huge bag.This next bit is my feelings.Times are tough and Flw is catering to the large expanse of numbers of Michigan.. I understand that.. The best fisheries around. Last year was my first year fishing BFl. I finished 30th in the points..anyone couldve done that if they forked over 200 bucks and has half a brain. Ill preach this till the day i die.. we need to diversify....we could have huge numbers if we did.. I know Eric all the great numbers are on the east but theres a ton of talent left untapped cause they dont wanna fish against homers.(no dig on u Bond) i like ya u got the same fire i got. We dont get the numbers now..Run one on some other lakes for more than 1 time a year..The BBT circuit on the westside drew a 69 boat average over the course of 5 tournies and they pay back 65%. There payout is terrible yet they are the only circuit over there that can draw boats. yes there a team deal but seriously.. i can look at a list of the top finishers there that dont need a partner to catch a bag there. would think if you showed some dedication to coming more than once a year to our area u would get more participation.
Thanks Team houston - All American. You and Jeff Bishop also - that was cool when he made it the same time Bill Cisler did. I had a great time at that event too. I don't nit pick when recognizing anglers who have made it to one of the big events. If you've been there, you earned it and congratulations. I think there were one or two others from Michigan who made it, but the tournaments all kind of blur together right now until I have a chance to look at the 'archives.' A number of friends and fishing acquaintances have made it from this region.
The All American is one of the great events to qualify for. I highly recommend the experience and hope many more Great Lakes anglers get a shot at it. It is one of the reasons I have enjoyed fishing the BFL circuit. Back to the 2010 schedule. If the schedule and lakes work for you, it is a well run circuit. I really like the boater / co-angler format. If you have any further tournaments aspirations, it is a great way to test the waters with burning through $50 to $70,000 in a year jumping right into the big fire.
Two LSC tournaments...I like that....
Dan,
I once thought the same thing about the regional not being able to be held on a water body that a division has fished, but apparently that is not true. We fished against the Illinois divison at the regional this year. One of their stops this year was on July 11 at Fort Madison. As I have stated in the past, I have no problem whatsoever in competing against locals, but 5 of the top 6 qualifiers were from Illinois. Yes, they did get us at this one. That was one challenging event, but I did get to keep par and got my coangler the first day a check ;D.
Yeah, like Eric I'm another "homer" that unfortunately doesn't cash a check at every tournament. At the risk of making this statement without doing a little research, my hunch is that most of the checks at the St. Clair and Detroit River BFL tourneys don't go to the eastside Michiganders that would be considered locals. There's a host of excellent fishermen from Indiana (Hi Rufus...) and Ohio that do very well over here.
From a fishing standpoint, I'm kind of disappointed that there's not more of a variety of waters on the schedule. I like to challenge myself on different waters once in awhile. However, from a purely monetary standpoint, I'm happy to see a St. Clair/ Detroit River heavy schedule. Living only three miles from St. Clair means almost zero travel expenses for me.
One of those days we were limited to the bay because of bad weather. If we would have had the lost day on the big water it would have been different.
My concerns with this schedule have been echoed by many on this forum already. To more accurately represent this division, I propose changing the name to the BFL - Smallmouth Division. Michigan is a bit of a misnomer, I believe.
wonder why no regionals are listed.
i see there is a Stren Invitational listed but no championship.
Ah my post got thrown outta proportion my bad.. i know Eric isnt a homer..heck my a good friend of mine won the points and Heath was third i was just sayin its not everyones back yard and some like i wont take help from anyone ill figure it out myself..
Quote from: rufus on October 28, 2009, 06:50:36 AM
Dan,
I once thought the same thing about the regional not being able to be held on a water body that a division has fished, but apparently that is not true. We fished against the Illinois divison at the regional this year. One of their stops this year was on July 11 at Fort Madison. As I have stated in the past, I have no problem whatsoever in competing against locals, but 5 of the top 6 qualifiers were from Illinois. Yes, they did get us at this one. That was one challenging event, but I did get to keep par and got my coangler the first day a check ;D.
There does seem to be exceptions at times. But you are a very good tournament angler no matter where you fish. Of course, it would be nice to fish home waters. Our season, weather, facilities, community support all seem to make it difficult getting a regional here though it has been discussed quite a bit the past few years.
I find it interesting that the Michigan team did recently win against all the other states on the Mississippi. I was on several teams that won or took 2nd in divisionals in other states though some of those were on other parts of the Great Lakes. Maybe there is a way Michigan division BFL anglers can help get a divisional here with some effort done correctly?
Quote from: dartag on October 28, 2009, 04:43:45 PM
wonder why no regionals are listed.
i see there is a Stren Invitational listed but no championship.
There was a live chat on FLW Outdoors.com yesterday with Charlie Evans. He said that BFL Regional dates will be announced soon. This is according to a report on BassFan.
I thought I saw the regionals listed if you look for them on the main FLW page where it lists The Stren schedule.
Pete
Quote from: djkimmel on October 29, 2009, 12:26:36 AM
Quote from: rufus on October 28, 2009, 06:50:36 AM
Dan,
I once thought the same thing about the regional not being able to be held on a water body that a division has fished, but apparently that is not true. We fished against the Illinois divison at the regional this year. One of their stops this year was on July 11 at Fort Madison. As I have stated in the past, I have no problem whatsoever in competing against locals, but 5 of the top 6 qualifiers were from Illinois. Yes, they did get us at this one. That was one challenging event, but I did get to keep par and got my coangler the first day a check ;D.
There does seem to be exceptions at times. But you are a very good tournament angler no matter where you fish. Of course, it would be nice to fish home waters. Our season, weather, facilities, community support all seem to make it difficult getting a regional here though it has been discussed quite a bit the past few years.
I find it interesting that the Michigan team did recently win against all the other states on the Mississippi. I was on several teams that won or took 2nd in divisionals in other states though some of those were on other parts of the Great Lakes. Maybe there is a way Michigan division BFL anglers can help get a divisional here with some effort done correctly?
Maybe the Success of the state teams has something to do with working as a "Team"...I know that was the case with the BASS divisional team this year, I would bet it was the same with TBF..
Maybe that would be the key to the success of anglers from this state at Regionals....
I have seen it on the BFL circuit..There are 5-6 boaters that come up to LSC and fish the BFLs from out of state..They work together and share spots equally and most of them cash checks every time...(I won't mention any names but check the results)...Obviously you have to trust the anglers that you work with...
Some teams do a great job working as a team. Trust is pretty important. I've been on good teams and teams that were just a group of individuals. The good teams have done better much more often.
:( i am saddened by this schedule,can anyone bring michigan together or is it always east vs west......I live on the west side but love fishing ST. Clair,just find it hard to justify the cost of travel for all the tourneys vs reward,but if i thought I could get a break on 1 or 2 tourneys (west side) I would definetley fish them all as I am wanting to fish one of them regionals.......but Ebond makes alot of sense to me and I will have to sit this year out again >:(,maybe come for one of the St. Clair tourneys.....would love to see 2 east side tourney's 2 west side events and the 2 day tourney at wixom/sanford chain,but that will have to go on the wish list :)
good luck to all that compete in 2010!!!!!!
Looks like there are 3 detroit river tournaments now and the regional will be at kentucky lake.
http://bfl.flwoutdoors.com/schedule.cfm?bTournamentRef=0&cid=2&did=0&state=MI&tmonth=0&tyear=2010&ln=0
That stinks.. >:(....
Did they change it because of the BASS Open??? I know some guys were complaining about that...
I would guess they moved the date because of the bass open. I am ok with that, but not really thrilled to see another elizabeth park tx. I am already not looking forward to the long boat rides. :P
I don't think it's so bad. I'm glad they took the 7/21 tourney off the BASS Open, but I wish they could have left it on St. Clair instead of moving down to the river. At least they didn't move it all the way to Sandusky ;D
I know I'm looking too far ahead (gotta get there first right?...), but I wish they would do the Kentucky regional out of Kenlake Park or Paris instead all the way up at the dam. That makes a 70+ mile run south to where it's been fishing the strongest lately.
Yes - the schedules changed due to the BASS Open. Only so many weekends available during our summer 'season' unfortunately. They didn't want a tournament on the same weekend as the BASS Open was already going on.
But they are ok with overlapping their own Stren Northern division (which will draw Michigan boat/co's out of the BFL's) twice.
B
Not so much that it overlapped with BASS, but rather that it was on the same (connected) body of water.
Right. On the same water same time. FLW has always held that their tiered system is designed specifically for anglers who want to work their way up through the pro ranks, not so everyone can fish them all. I expect that costs them some boats sometimes, but I do like the system of working your way up without having a huge gap of cost between the bottom level and the top level with nothing in between for those anglers who want to make a go of it.
Dan I understand your statement and agree with it. It is a valid statement, but it really doesn't provide any reasoning as to the point I was trying to make. Had I complained about them overlapping a BFL with a Series or Tour event date then ya, a BFL is at the lowest rung of the ladder with mid level trails inbetween. The Strens, however are still a regionalized closer to home trail and overlapping the states in the same region just doesnt make good sense. Especially when those states are struggling for numbers. I know several guys who fish Strens and BFL's but will choose Stren over a BFL. Our numbers are struggling and they know it, why add another reason for the numbers to go down?
B
EDIT: I just eyeballed it so I might have missed a date or two but I dont see a single Stren, Series or Tour event that overlaps dates amongst all 3 for the entire year. So, technically, someone could fish them all. I wonder if that was pure luck, or specific planning?
Forgive me if I'm wrong here, but even though FLW has moved one St. Clair tournament to the Detroit River, Isn't there still basically 4 tournaments you could fish St. Clair? Just a more centralized launch where anglers have a choice to fish Erie too. I also saw where the Stren is going out of Erie PA. for their Erie tournament next year. I wonder about how having 5 big tournaments in the same area will affect the fishing as the season goes on, 4 of them going out of Elizabeth Park.
Didn't we have this same talk last summer? I was talking about a regional at Detroit river and sending 12 anglers to the ALL-AMERICAN from the MI division? Whatever?
eastside/westside FLW does not care? I said if the BFL had a REGIONAL EVENT AT THE DETROIT RIVER in Oct. fishing for a NEW truck and boat. They would draw 150+ boats at every tournament. PERIOD!!
Skeeterman and ebond said no problem fishing against locals at Ft. Madison. Now I hear people talking about how 5 locals are going to the ALL-AMERICAN fishing their home water?
FISHING THE DETROIT RIVER 3 or 4x's?
BASS TIP: Put 3 gallons of gas in boat and never leave the Trenton channel? Can you say retreads!
To anyone that cares I have been calling it the "smallmouth division" for the past 3 yrs!
I perdict the Burt/mullet bfl will draw less than 100 boats? sad but true? no state fish off on Sunday, 22 1/2 lbs to cash a check, and Chad pipens going for 3 in a row??? HELLO MUSKEGON!!
I would imagine FLW Outdoors would prefer to not have any conflicts with their own circuits, or even with other circuits if possible, to maximize potential turnout. They seem to try. I know I would try to do so myself. Not always possible though.
I still think overall, we have not had a regional here because of a combination of facilities, local community support and the risky weather we have that time of year here. It's just easier for them to go elsewhere probably.
I know several times BASS or FLW considered us for bigger and better things, a lack of the local community support they can get elsewhere was just enough to kill the deals including the first time BASS considered us for the Classic way back when Blanchard was governor.
I'd love to see more large events here in Michigan. We just have additional challenges trying to make that happen that many other states do not have. Things have improved, but still have a ways to go.
I dont consider Erie Pa the same area as Elizabeth park. I am quite certain that if a place like Guntersville can handle tons of pressure, that Erie can.
No doubt about it, Erie has no problem handling the pressure. I have been to a lot of fisheries and Erie is the only one where you can find a school of bass that can hold up for 4 days. I was on three schools of fish this year in 30 fow that literally caused my H-bird to misread the depth!!!! You would pull one up and 30 smallies would be with him, you just gotta love that lake. It really shocked me that the overall weights were down this year out there, because Erie was fishing like it did 5 years ago as far as fish being everywhere.
As far as Elizabeth Park being on 3 times, I do like that. I don't know why, but I just like Erie better than St Clair. I have somehow gotten lucky and managed 3 top 10's on St Clair the last 3 years, but Erie is more my style.
Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love fishing the West side of the state and have always told BFL officials that I would love to see at least one if not two over there. I prefer Muskegon over the Grand, just because you have more options, but I don't care either way. I just like to go fishing and I cut my teeth on these little natural Indiana lakes. I love jerking a largie out of a weedmat with only 5 feet of line.
As far as regionals on Kentucky Lake that will be very nice. I know that we will still be facing some local knowledge, but at least we will be on a fishery that has the fish available. It will be our own fault if we don't find them. If we were going back to the river my father-in-law has already told me I would be prefishing alone ;D. At least on Kentucky when we could not find the bass we can stop at some feeding 'gulls and catch some stripers or whiteys. The only thing I could pattern on the Mississippi were the drum (I know Sheepshead ;)). Anyway, I hope to see you guys all next year and the season is not over the bite is red hot!!! on Erie right now if you want numbers and the chance at a smallie of a lifetime. I took a buddy over last week because he is a smallie addict, but only fishes for them around home and had yet to catch one over 5. Well, his best 5 (he weighed all of them :D) went 26-4 at days end. He had 2 5-8's, a 5-6, a 5-1, and a 4-13. Not bad for 7 hours of fishing and he has called me 3 times this week wondering when we are going back. Now he wants a 6!!!!
God Bless Everyone!!!!
I can't wait to get back to Kentucky lake again also. Knock wood.
Quote from: Team houston on November 18, 2009, 02:40:58 PM
I can't wait to get back to Kentucky lake again also. Knock wood.
Knock, knock, knock..... ;D
I did like Kentucky Lake the 2nd time I went there (only been there in low water fall events so far). I actually found the right spots / pattern. Just didn't hold my mouth, but my 1st day co-angler made it (he gets a double on largemouths and than a nice keeper smallie in just a few minutes) and two boaters near me made it. The guy who almost won was fishing the same pattern and one of my spots part of the event so that felt good anyway.
I have to get down there in the spring sometime yet, and try some of the fall ledge fishing once I figure it out.
Care to mention that pattern Dan?
If I remember right, Dan and I were fishing the same creek for at least most of the first day 8)
You were in there too, weren't you Jighead?? I can barely remember that already like it was 20 years ago. I remember a couple other people I know were in there... I think? I believe Nowyorkas was even nearby? I had found several similar spots that were pretty good in practice, but tough in the event. Of course.
Team houston, carry your map in your back pocket so the next time I see you, I can point it out. Of course, it has been several years now so I have no idea what it's like at the moment. I'd tell you now, but I can't remember what the heck the name of it was. Honest. Jighead is younger. He probably remembers, but may not want to spell it out in the open...
I think that was the year I watched the guy run his ancient bass boat across a road bed that was so shallow, it practically looked dry. He must not have had a very good vision plan?? He didn't have much of prop either after that... crunch! ;D
I'm quickly approaching 47 :o I don't know that I'm that much younger.
I remember what creek it was. But that's gotta be going back 6 or 7 years. I guess the grass has really taken off again since then so I'm trying to wipe my memory bank clean in case I get back there again.
Holy #@#$@$!@@#$%!!! You ARE old. Not as old as me still. You must be living a good life... You still remember the name.
BFL entry starts next week. Anybody need a co-angler to sign up with for all 5?
Nobody needs a co-angler to sign up with for all 5? Registration starts today.
I cant do them all, sorry.
Phil,
I sent you a PM
Heath
Thanks Heath, I will check it when I get home from work
Quote from: Mark117 on November 12, 2009, 09:06:58 PM
Didn't we have this same talk last summer? I was talking about a regional at Detroit river and sending 12 anglers to the ALL-AMERICAN from the MI division? Whatever?
eastside/westside FLW does not care? I said if the BFL had a REGIONAL EVENT AT THE DETROIT RIVER in Oct. fishing for a NEW truck and boat. They would draw 150+ boats at every tournament. PERIOD!!
Skeeterman and ebond said no problem fishing against locals at Ft. Madison. Now I hear people talking about how 5 locals are going to the ALL-AMERICAN fishing their home water?
FISHING THE DETROIT RIVER 3 or 4x's?
BASS TIP: Put 3 gallons of gas in boat and never leave the Trenton channel? Can you say retreads!
To anyone that cares I have been calling it the "smallmouth division" for the past 3 yrs!
I perdict the Burt/mullet bfl will draw less than 100 boats? sad but true? no state fish off on Sunday, 22 1/2 lbs to cash a check, and Chad pipens going for 3 in a row??? hello MUSKEGON!!
Shouldn't the Michigan BFL represent Michigan? Right now it only represents one small portion of Michigan and it is very confusing as to why the schedule is the way it is - HELLO MUSKEGON IS DEAD ON!!!! Look at the data and it is easy to correlate the draw to the schedule, when you only represent a particular demographic you will only get that particular demographic to participate. Go to the FLW Home Page and it is very clear that when the Michigan BFL represents Michigan numbers are great.
1995 - 3 West/East - almost 200 (190 on the Grand is a pretty good indicator that the West Side will support a true Michigan BFL)
1996 - 2 West/4 East - the West Side Phase out begins and numbers are still decent (195 on the Detroit River where a guy from GRAND HAVEN won with another west side guy in the top 5)
1999 - 1 West/5 East - still a glimmer of hope for the west side with 1 tourney on the Grand and the draw is still pretty good (206 the 1st tourney)
2000 - 0 West/5 East - PHASE OUT IS COMPLETE & NUMBERS ALMOST CUT IN HALF (116 1st event, and a whopping 68 at 2nd tourney) Maybe it's just a coincedence? Probably not.
2001 - 1 West/4 East - Alienation of 1/2 of the Michigan angler demographic is almost complete (Granted it was the 1st event of 2001 but the GRAND RIVER drew better than St. Clair twice and the Detroit River twice - I'd say the theory of the West Side not supporting the BFL is no longer viable!)
Fast forward to 2009 and the Michigan BFL only hits the 100 mark ONCE and has a tournament in Ohio - which if my geography is right isn't part of Michigan. 2010 schedule is already set but when they do the 2011 schedule hopefully we can have a Michigan BFL that represents Michigan again so we can see 150+ boat draws. I'm crossing my fingers!!!!
Quote from: Return On Investment Outdoors on December 26, 2009, 08:40:46 PM
Quote from: Mark117 on November 12, 2009, 09:06:58 PM
Didn't we have this same talk last summer? I was talking about a regional at Detroit river and sending 12 anglers to the ALL-AMERICAN from the MI division? Whatever?
eastside/westside FLW does not care? I said if the BFL had a REGIONAL EVENT AT THE DETROIT RIVER in Oct. fishing for a NEW truck and boat. They would draw 150+ boats at every tournament. PERIOD!!
Skeeterman and ebond said no problem fishing against locals at Ft. Madison. Now I hear people talking about how 5 locals are going to the ALL-AMERICAN fishing their home water?
FISHING THE DETROIT RIVER 3 or 4x's?
BASS TIP: Put 3 gallons of gas in boat and never leave the Trenton channel? Can you say retreads!
To anyone that cares I have been calling it the "smallmouth division" for the past 3 yrs!
I perdict the Burt/mullet bfl will draw less than 100 boats? sad but true? no state fish off on Sunday, 22 1/2 lbs to cash a check, and Chad pipens going for 3 in a row??? hello MUSKEGON!!
Shouldn't the Michigan BFL represent Michigan? Right now it only represents one small portion of Michigan and it is very confusing as to why the schedule is the way it is - hello MUSKEGON IS DEAD ON!!!! Look at the data and it is easy to correlate the draw to the schedule, when you only represent a particular demographic you will only get that particular demographic to participate. Go to the FLW Home Page and it is very clear that when the Michigan BFL represents Michigan numbers are great.
1995 - 3 West/East - almost 200 (190 on the Grand is a pretty good indicator that the West Side will support a true Michigan BFL)
1996 - 2 West/4 East - the West Side Phase out begins and numbers are still decent (195 on the Detroit River where a guy from GRAND HAVEN won with another west side guy in the top 5)
1999 - 1 West/5 East - still a glimmer of hope for the west side with 1 tourney on the Grand and the draw is still pretty good (206 the 1st tourney)
2000 - 0 West/5 East - PHASE OUT IS COMPLETE & NUMBERS ALMOST CUT IN HALF (116 1st event, and a whopping 68 at 2nd tourney) Maybe it's just a coincedence? Probably not.
2001 - 1 West/4 East - Alienation of 1/2 of the Michigan angler demographic is almost complete (Granted it was the 1st event of 2001 but the GRAND RIVER drew better than St. Clair twice and the Detroit River twice - I'd say the theory of the West Side not supporting the BFL is no longer viable!)
Fast forward to 2009 and the Michigan BFL only hits the 100 mark ONCE and has a tournament in Ohio - which if my geography is right isn't part of Michigan. 2010 schedule is already set but when they do the 2011 schedule hopefully we can have a Michigan BFL that represents Michigan again so we can see 150+ boat draws. I'm crossing my fingers!!!!
Thank you ROI that was very well written. You said everything right. They have phased out the west side and it has hurt them. Ive been thinking of fishing the bfls for quite some time but I will not be fishing with them until they start coming this way a few times.
Need a co-angler for all 5 events. PM or email.
Back seat is open for practice as well.
Seth
Does FLW still send out the confirmation letters for the BFL when you get in? Also, who is the new BFL sponser since Wal-Mart is out?
I got a confirmation as a boater for LSC....
I think Cabelas is the new key sponsor....I think the National Guard has picked up a bigger chunk of the pie also....
Thanks Brian, I was curious about the letters, I entered the July 17th BFL out of the DR back in January but haven't got my letter yet. Then again it took them 2 months to get me my new card.