Jay Yelas spent the better part of two decades living in Texas before relocating back to Oregon, where he attended college, a few years ago. He's returned to the Lone Star State for the first time in several years to compete in this week's Toyota Texas Bass Classic at Lake Conroe.
"It's been fun for me to come back," he said. "I've never fished a tournament on Conroe, but I did fish here once years and years ago just for fun. When I got the invite (for the TTBC) this year, I decided that I'd like to go."
Official practice for the event wrapped up Wednesday afternoon and the 50 anglers will compete in a pro-am on Thursday before the derby gets under way Friday. Yelas said he caught some nice fish over the previous 3 days, but doesn't think he's on anything spectacular.
"My take on the lake is it's fishing pretty good. I've been catching bags in the mid-teens each day, 13 to 17 pounds a day, but I don't think that's winning material here.
"This place has got some big ones. I've caught a 5-pounder each day, and if you can get two of those in one day, you're off to the races. I've fished both shallow and deep, but deep is what most guys are pursuing because that's usually how tournaments are won here. I haven't had a great big bag yet, but maybe I will in the tournament."
