Three anglers from Sanders County were members of the Montana bass fishing team that captured the Western Regional Tournament held last week at Lake Powell, Utah.
Thompson Falls native Jim Conlin was in the running for the championship until the last day and ended up finishing in 33rd place, with 14 fish and 23-02 pounds over the three-day event.
Julian Auman of Trout Creek ended in 45th place while Stan Fisher of Trout Creek ended up in 68th position.
The Montana team took an early lead, in the first day of competition Thursday and never looked back.
At the end of Saturday’s fishing, the team had amassed 254 pounds and 12 ounces of fish, outdistancing Arizona by almost 14 pounds.
The win meant the Montana squad brought home a certificate for a $32,000 bass boat complete with motors and a fish finder.
Team spokesman Kevin Hill of Corvallis said the plan is to put the boat up for bid and then use the proceeds to advance the efforts of the Montana Bass Federation.
Conlin’s efforts left him in second place after the opening day of competition, held near Bullfrog, Utah on the big lake. Conlin limited out with five bass, which weighed nearly 13 pounds. Local teammates Fisher and Auman ended up in 64th and 85th place, respectively. Fisher limited out and Auman nabbed four bass.
Arizona’s favorite son, Jeff Guerrette took an early lead in the tournament and expanded that edge through the three days, finishing with 38 pounds from 15 fish and three pounds ahead of second place. Guerrette also captured the big fish trophy for a six pound, 14 ounce bass, which won him $1,000.
Second day results saw the Montana team still in the lead with Conlin in 10th place. Auman moved up to 59th while Fisher slipped to 67th.
The leading angler for the Montana team, Ben Schilling of Post Falls, Idaho, was in second place after two days.
Trout Creek, is known as one of the premiere bass fishing reservoirs in the western United States and has been the location of the Western Divisional in the past.
Tournament slots are by invitation, with anglers qualifying by success in state competitions. The Western Divisional attracted 127 anglers from 11 western states, with 12 members on each team.