September 15, 2010 – The 2010 Eastern Division Championship, hosted by Massachusetts TBF Federation, City of Plattsburgh, New York & Adirondack Coast & Visitors Convention Bureau, kicked off today on Lake Champlain in beautiful upstate New York. By the end of this tournament on Friday, sixteen TBF members from eight State Federations will have qualified for the 2011 TBF Federation National Championship. They’ll all have their eyes on the prize, the ultimate goal of a TBF Member, the $100,000 ‘Living the Dream’ prize package.
With 56 limits the first day, it will be a close race, but Bruce Acox, non-boater from New Hampshire took an early impressive lead to start the day with 18 lbs 14 oz. He ended up with a limit of bass, 1 large mouth and 4 smallies. “It started off slow, we fished on the main lake early for smallies, didn’t catch any keepers. We then went to large mouth spot, pulled one keeper, but nothing seemed to work,” Acox said. Feeling some stress of only having one fish to weigh in, in a last ditch effort, he and his boater went to a very familiar area for small mouth. “I just got lucky!” Acox said. There were a couple of other boats in the popular spot where several keepers had been pulled by other anglers. He and his boater both caught limits by early afternoon.
Frank Scalise of VT is currently in 2nd place with a limit that weighed 17 lbs 1 oz. “The day started off great, but the wind picked up which made it very difficult to fish. I caught my limit early in about 3 different places.” Scalise said. He plans to do the same thing tomorrow and 
hopes the wind is not nearly as bad as it was today.
hopes the wind is not nearly as bad as it was today.The top spots are a very tight race. Anglers David McNary, MA and Ronald Bestwick, CT are tied for 3rd with limits weighing 15 lbs 15 oz. Another tie for 5th with 15-13 is Donald Gagnon, NH and local Ryan Latinville of Plattsburgh, NY.
Last year, Team Vermont easily won the overall State contest with Mass. having a tough last day. With Massachusetts being the host this year, will it give them the edge to win this year? Well it already looks to be a repeat of last year after just the first day. Vermont has taken an early lead with a team total of 132 lbs 11 oz, Mass. in a close 2nd with 130 lbs 15 oz. New Hampshire has some ground to make up, as they are in 3rd place in the team standings with 114-03.
With 56 limits, there were 373 fish caught and released today. If the fishing stays good, it’s going to be a close race at the finish line for nearly all of the contenders.
Full results can be found on our results page.
