The Southern Tier Bassmasters
held their annual banquet Saturday February 4,
2012 at the Library Restaurant in Olean, NY. Junior
and senior club members were honored for their
many accomplishments throughout the 2011 fishing
season. But none more notable than Joe Abt, the
club’s 2011 Angler of the Year, who now
has, an unprecedented, three coveted crowns to
his credit, 2007, 2009 and 2011.
The 2011 season started
with the first point tournament Saturday June
25, 2011 on Seneca Lake where Joe finished 6th
with 9.24 pounds. Jeff Kilbury took top honors
in this tournament and the AOY lead. I mention
Jeff now and as the story evolves it will be made
abundantly clear why.
The second tournament was
held on Chautauqua Lake Saturday July 16, 2001.Just
after the on water pre-tournament meeting Joe’s
boat began to smoke and it looked like it would
catch fire. Although it didn’t this disabled
the boat and he had to ride with another angler
for the tournament, enter Jeff Kilbury. Abt finished
the tournament in 5th place while Kilbury finished
9th. Since Charlie Mackintosh won this tournament
it now vaulted him to the AOY lead with 198 points
and left both Abt and Kilbury trailing, separated
by one point 192 to 191 respectively.
Next stop Honeoye Lake
on Saturday August 6, 2011. Joe finished the tournament
in 4th place with 12.97 pounds while Kilbury logged
a 2nd place with 13.86 pounds good enough to regain
the AOY lead by three points (291) over Joe who
was now tied with Charlie Mackintosh at 288. Also
in the mix now was tournament winner Noel Good
who trailed four points behind at 284 with one
tournament left to go.
Silver Lake, the “pond
of heartbreaks” for many anglers was the
last stop September 17, 2011. At this point the
AOY was up for grabs. A mere 7 points separated
the top 4 fisherman. It was down to “win
or go home”. In the end Joe brought a limit
to the scales weighing 19.57 pounds to seal the
deal, taking top honors for the tournament and
his 3rd AOY title. Kilbury, Good and Mackintosh
finished the season 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.
Congratulations to Joe
Abt on a well deserved title. And thanks to all
who made this season’s race an exciting
one.
Bob Green
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