Seen the field list for the upcoming Detroit River FLW Tour? If you play fantasy fishing at FLWOutdoors.com, the answer's probably yes. Either way, it's worth noting that the field is stacked with local studs, which is a common occurrence at season-ending FLW Tour events. Many pros who have no chance to qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup, or next year's Tour, often forego the final event for financial or other reasons. And since FLW Outdoors does fill its field, that's where the local studs can look to do some cherry-picking.
Here's a look at three Detroit River signups who've never fished an FLW Tour event before. BassFans who compete on Erie know who they are.
Joe Balog – Harrison Township, Mich.
> 6 Detroit River/Erie Stren Top 10s since 2001
> 12 Detroit River/Erie BFL Top 10s since 1999, including 2 wins (2004, 2002)
> 1 Lake Erie Bassmaster Open win (2006)
Steve Clapper – Lima, Ohio
> 6 Detroit River/Erie Stren Top 10s since 2001
> 23 Detroit River/Erie BFL Top 10s since 1996, including 7 wins (2006, 2005, 2004, 2001, 2000, two in 1999)
> 1 Erie Bassmaster Northern Tour Top 10
Bryan Coates - Amherst, Ohio
> 3 Detroit River/Erie Stren Top 10s since 2005, including 1 win (2005)
> 6 Detroit River/Erie BFL Top 10s since 2003, including 2 wins (2006, 2004)
> 1 Erie Bassmaster Northern Tour Top 10
Note also that Dick Shaffer of Rockford, Ohio is listed as being on the waiting list for the event. His stats include a Top 10 each of the last 3 years at Detroit River Strens, along with 5 Detroit River/Erie BFL Top 10s, one of which was a win (2002).
Note too the FLW Tour includes a number of regular Detroit River/Erie studs like Dave Lefebre, Vic Vatalaro, Art Ferguson III and more. And Chris Cox of Belleville, Wisc. – who fished two full Tour seasons in 2004 and 2005 – appears to be in the event. He won the 2005 Detroit River Stren.
