Clear Lake Western EverStart
Bolivar Jumps Out With 29

Photo: FLWOutdoors.com Gabe Bolivar found a clear spot and sight-fished up some giants.

The angler who got the biggest taste was Gabe Bolivar of Ramona, Calif., who had 29-01, but from there it dropped off relatively quickly. Brent Ehrler had 24-02, Shaun Bailey had 21-04, Ken Wick of Star, Idaho (the lone non-Californian in the Top 5) had 19-15, and David Gliebe is in 5th with 19-04, almost 10 pounds off the leader.

Bolivar Sight-Fishing

With balmy weather throughout much of the practice period, many anglers had been targeting bedding bass in the lake's clear water. But a blustery north wind and threatening skies obscured visibility today, and anglers said the conditions removed the bigger and "easier" fish from the menu.

Not so for Bolivar, however. "I found small area that had a bunch of big bed-fish in it, and I caught a lot in practice," he said. "The storm and the wind messed up the water (today) and it was a nightmare. I couldn't see a thing."

But persistence paid off. He found "one little clear water spot and it was full of big bedding females." Even though he said he "just caught a couple of big ones," he noted that "there's not many left in there." But with such a huge lead, he may not need that many more.

He also knows there's a thin line between consistently catching sight fish and blind-fishing for spawners as many of the other anglers are doing. So about tomorrow, he said: "If the sight fish don't lock up good, I'll be like everyone else with 8 to 18 pounds. If not, I'll come in with big stringer again.

"I don't want to burn up my water too much. I just want to get enough to ensure that I'll make the cut. Then I'll swing for the fence come Friday."

Ehrler Saw Change Coming

Ehrler's catch was aided by two surprise 7-pounders. "I didn't catch a fish over 4 pounds in practice," he said. "Those two bites were the bulk of my weight." He caught 25 to 30 bass today, but most were under 2 1/2 pounds.

Those 7-pounders might have been the result of him paying attention to the weather. "I knew it was going to change. In practice I didn't go around sight-fishing like a lot of guys. Yesterday I found a few beds just in case, but I'm sure (those fish) are gone."

But besides making the sight-fishing more difficult, the conditions also changed the bite. "It was different," he said. "I was catching a lot of 3-pound-class fish in practice, but I didn't catch one 3-pounder today. A ton of small fish were biting today."

Going into tomorrow, Ehrler's job will be to protect his position in the Top 20. " I feel good. I'm glad I had a lot of weight today. I'm going to fish around tomorrow and get some smaller fish to make the cut, and save some water. I know more big fish are in the area."

He also knows he won't be alone in that area. "A bunch of guys are fishing it."

> He flipped and pitched RoboWorms, and threw a Lucky Craft Pointer jerkbait today. "That was it. I wasn't sight-fishing," he noted.

Bottom Drops Out for Donoho

"It's kind of a tough tournament," said Las Vegas' Pat Donoho, who's in 42nd with 11-09 (4 fish). "It was windy all day and the water dropped 6 to 7 degrees. It was 80 degrees during the week, and the water temperature was 64 to 66 degrees. Today it was 57 to 58. It was a north wind and we had a little bit of rain this afternoon."

He'll change gears tomorrow in an attempt to move up in the standings. "I need about 15 pounds to make the cut," he said. "I'll go flipping tomorrow and try and get some big fish."

Notable

> Day 1 Stats – 152 anglers, 113 limits, 4 zeroes.

Day 1 Standings

1. Gabe Bolivar -- Ramona, Ca -- 5, 29-01
2. Brent Ehrler -- Redlands, Ca -- 5, 24-02
3. Shaun Bailey -- Agoura, Ca -- 5, 21-04
4. Ken Wick -- Star, Id -- 5, 19-15
5. David Gliebe -- Stockton, Ca -- 5, 19-04
6. Paul Hodges -- Glendale, Az -- 5, 18-15
7. Wayne Breazeale -- Kelseyville, Ca -- 5, 17-06
8. Rob Wenning -- Sparks, Nv -- 5, 17-02
9. Sean Minderman -- Post Falls, Id -- 5, 17-00
10. Brian Barthman -- Eureka, Ca -- 5, 16-14
11. Jared Lintner -- Oceano, Ca -- 5, 16-06
12. William Mcaninch -- Chatsworth, Ca -- 5, 15-11
13. Nick Grebb -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 15-10
14. Art Berry -- Hemet, Ca -- 5, 15-09
15. Ray Ortiz -- Oracle, Az -- 5, 15-08
16. Bobby Lanham -- Scottsdale, Az -- 5, 15-07
17. Dave Nollar -- Redlands, Ca -- 5, 15-05
17. Byron Velvick -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 15-05
19. Charles Almassey -- Oakley, Ca -- 5, 15-01
20. Phil Strader -- Glide, Or -- 5, 15-00
21. John Brossard -- Kelseyville, Ca -- 5, 14-15
22. Gary Boyd -- Reseda, Ca -- 5, 14-12
23. Mike Folkestad -- Yorba Linda, Ca -- 5, 14-10
23. Mark Lassagne -- Concord, Ca -- 5, 14-10
25. Stephen Wilson -- Mission Hills, Ca -- 5, 13-15
26. Russ Barger -- Boise, Id -- 5, 13-13
27. Bob Myskey -- Nice, Ca -- 5, 13-10
28. Don Payne -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 13-09
29. Jim Lyon -- Reno,, Nv -- 5, 13-07
30. Peter Jenson -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 13-00
30. Roscoe Scarbrough -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 13-00
32. Larry Hopper -- Tustin, Ca -- 5, 12-15
33. Sid Mcdonald -- Fresno, Ca -- 5, 12-11
34. Brian Nixon -- Grand Junction, Co -- 5, 12-10
35. Todd Harris -- Mesa, Az -- 5, 12-04
36. Tom Phillips -- Corona, Ca -- 5, 12-00
37. Mark Crutcher -- Lakeport, Ca -- 5, 11-14
38. Michael Bennett -- Roseville, Ca -- 5, 11-13
38. Daryl Dempsey -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 5, 11-13
40. Ron Colby -- Page, Az -- 5, 11-11
41. Mike Goodwin -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 5, 11-10
42. Patrick Donoho -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 4, 11-09
43. Luke Clausen -- Spokane, Wa -- 5, 11-08
43. Wayne Hinrichs -- Novato, Ca -- 5, 11-08
45. Keith Bryan -- Novato, Ca -- 5, 11-07
45. Clifford Pirch -- Payson, Az -- 5, 11-07
45. Jerry Tilton -- Lakeport, Ca -- 5, 11-07
48. Charlie Davidson -- Temecula, Ca -- 5, 11-05
49. Mike O Shea -- Westlake Village, Ca -- 5, 11-02
49. Jack Trahan -- Kingman, Az -- 5, 11-02
51. Roger Warr -- Saugus, Ca -- 5, 11-00
52. Anthony Pimentel -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 10-14
53. Cory Dispensiero -- Palmdale, Ca -- 5, 10-13
53. Raymond Leyerly -- Laguna Niguel, Ca -- 5, 10-13
55. Harry Jioras -- Cape Fair, Mo -- 5, 10-09
55. Scott Mascadri -- Sacramento, Ca -- 5, 10-09
55. Bob Monsen -- Murphys, Ca -- 5, 10-09
58. Jim Jeffords -- Tualatin, Or -- 5, 10-06
59. Mike Knight -- Montrose, Co -- 5, 10-05
60. Jason Cordiale -- Orinda, Ca -- 5, 10-04
61. James Cicchi -- Newbury Park, Ca -- 5, 10-03
62. Debbie Blanchard -- Lake Havasu City, Az -- 5, 10-02
62. Mike Bush -- West Hills, Ca -- 5, 10-02
64. Bernie Gaunt -- West Sacramento, Ca -- 5, 10-01
65. Dino Caporuscio -- Coto De Caza, Ca -- 5, 10-00
65. Marcus Clouse -- Henderson, Nv -- 5, 10-00
67. Clark Small -- Solvang, Ca -- 5, 9-15
68. Tim Barrett -- Rancho Cucamonga, Ca -- 5, 9-14
68. Tim Klinger -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 9-14
70. Jason Bryan -- Henderson, Nv -- 5, 9-13
70. Joe Conway -- Security, Co -- 5, 9-13
70. Rich Iannolo -- Menifee, Ca -- 5, 9-13
70. Frank Morton -- Madras, Or -- 3, 9-13
74. Chuck English -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 5, 9-12
74. Jimmy Reese -- Witter Springs, Ca -- 5, 9-12
74. Ricky Shabazz -- Rialto, Ca -- 5, 9-12
77. Dewayne Bonham -- Brentwood, Ca -- 5, 9-11
77. Gary Dobyns -- Yuba City, Ca -- 5, 9-11
77. Thomas Jolin -- Lakeport, Ca -- 5, 9-11
80. Norval Pinentel -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 9-10
81. Vu (Ted) Nguyen -- Irvine, Ca -- 5, 9-09
82. Jimmie Desaro -- Boise, Id -- 5, 9-08
83. John Cunningham -- Scottsdale, Az -- 5, 9-07
84. Anthony Franceschi -- Oakley, Ca -- 3, 9-06
85. George Galletti -- Martinez, Ca -- 5, 9-04
86. Dave Reed -- Wickenburg, Az -- 5, 9-03
87. Kirk Hill -- Alexander City, Al -- 5, 9-01
87. Keith Neff -- Ontario, Ca -- 5, 9-01
87. Bryan Stuyvesant -- Fairfield, Ca -- 5, 9-01
90. Dale Ball -- Creston, Ca -- 5, 9-00
90. Aaron Coleman -- Oakland, Ca -- 4, 9-00
90. Jeff Gervase -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 9-00
93. Jim Davis Jr -- Stockton, Ca -- 5, 8-15
94. David Solis -- Atascadero, Ca -- 5, 8-13
95. Roy Hawk -- Salt Lake City, Ut -- 5, 8-12
95. Don Iglinski -- Henderson, Nv -- 5, 8-12
97. Dennis Kolender -- Henderson, Nv -- 5, 8-11
97. Allen Posella -- Sanger, Ca -- 5, 8-11
99. Wally Smith -- Novato, Ca -- 5, 8-10
99. Jack Sykes -- Huntington Beach, Ca -- 4, 8-10
101. Cindy Collins -- Moorpark, Ca -- 5, 8-09
101. Jon Strelic -- Alpine, Ca -- 5, 8-09
103. John Suzow -- Newbury Park, Ca -- 5, 8-08
104. Chuck Brinkman -- Wickenburg, Az -- 4, 8-07
104. Bob Cagle -- Yuba City, Ca -- 5, 8-07
104. Vince Hurtado -- Modesto, Ca -- 5, 8-07
104. Dan Kuntz -- Myrtle Creek, Or -- 5, 8-07
104. James Soden -- Oakley, Ca -- 5, 8-07
109. Fred Contaoi -- Cotati, Ca -- 5, 8-06
110. Kevin Martin -- El Cajon, Ca -- 5, 8-05
111. Keith Reed -- Napa, Ca -- 5, 8-02
112. Justin Kerr -- Simi Valley, Ca -- 4, 8-01
112. Thanh Le -- El Cajon, Ca -- 5, 8-01
112. Bob Williams -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 8-01
115. Phil Gangwer -- Brentwood, Ca -- 5, 7-13
115. Scott Nielsen -- Salt Lake City, Ut -- 4, 7-13
117. Gregory Halliman -- Littlerock, Ca -- 5, 7-12
118. Mark Dotterer -- Scottsdale, Az -- 4, 7-11
118. Rick Hillis -- Scottsdale, Az -- 5, 7-11
118. Steve Perkins -- Whitefish, Mt -- 4, 7-11
118. Fred Ward -- Phoenix, Az -- 5, 7-11
122. Brett Leber -- Dixon, Ca -- 5, 7-10
123. Gary Howell -- Stockton, Ca -- 4, 7-08
123. Marc Knudsen -- Boulder City, Nv -- 5, 7-08
125. David Peltier -- Simi Valley, Ca -- 4, 7-00
126. Al Robinson -- Boulder City, Nv -- 4, 6-10
127. Shane Mcafee -- Salmon, Id -- 4, 6-05
128. Tom Perkins -- Sitka, Ak -- 4, 6-04
128. Mark Tyler -- Scottsdale, Az -- 3, 6-04
130. Patrick Clement -- Anderson, Ca -- 4, 5-15
130. Tom Kilduff -- Dewey, Az -- 4, 5-15
132. Charlie Weyer -- West Hills, Ca -- 4, 5-13
133. Shane Shafer -- Ogden, Ut -- 4, 5-11
134. Derek Yamamoto -- Mesa, Az -- 4, 5-09
135. Sean Andrachick -- Marion, Mt -- 3, 5-07
136. Corey Fenske -- Granite Bay, Ca -- 3, 5-02
137. Leroy Bertolero -- El Macero, Ca -- 3, 4-11
138. James Tidmore -- Redding, Ca -- 2, 4-01
139. Rob Hernandez -- Torrance, Ca -- 2, 3-13
140. Clayton Meyer -- San Diego, Ca -- 2, 3-09
141. Steve Biechman -- Redding, Ca -- 2, 2-15
142. Gene Covello -- Grand Junction, Co -- 2, 2-12
143. Chad Martin -- Sacramento, Ca -- 1, 2-04
143. Allen Maynard -- Henderson, Nv -- 1, 2-04
145. Keith Tanoos -- Gardnerville, Nv -- 1, 2-03
146. Kent Brown -- Roseville, Ca -- 1, 2-01
147. Ken Eddy -- Madera, Ca -- 1, 1-14
148. Bink Desaro -- Boise, Id -- 1, 1-13
Darius Arberry -- Las Vegas, Nv -- 0, 0-00
Larry Brower -- Cottonwood, Ca -- 0, 0-00
Carol Martens -- West Hills, Ca -- 0, 0-00
Brian Trusso -- Covina, Ca -- 0, 0-00

Big Bass
> Day 1 -- David Gliebe -- 9-08 -- $500