MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Close to 100 anglers will hit the Monongahela River in Morgantown this weekend in hopes of winning a share of $15,000. The West Virginia Bass Federation Invitational Tournament is set for Saturday and Sunday. It’s the eighth year for the event which serves as a reward for those who fished either of the West Virginia Bass Federation’s Buddy Trail Divisions.
“It’s really kind of set up with one on Saturday and one on Sunday,” said Federation President John Burdette. “It’s worked out that it’s helped guys who are off on Saturday or Sunday, so they can pick the trail to fish based on their work schedule. It’s not necessarily a ‘North’ or a ‘South’.”
Each of the divisions fishes six tournaments during the spring months. Both trails visit Burnsville, Summersville, and Sutton Lakes. The other three waters may be more regionally specific. The early tournaments are held on the central lakes of the state, ahead of the bulk lake traffic.
“We try to hit the lakes in March and April, just because of the size of the facilities we have around West Virginia,” Burdette said. “If we fished those in the summer when the pleasure boaters are there, it would become a nightmare.”
This year’s tournament season proved to be better than average, but Burdette said the recent weather has thrown a wrench into anglers plans headed into this weekend.
“It was good, we caught a lot of fish and had good weigh-ins,” Burdette said. “But from what I’m hearing things have slowed down. The Ohio River had the Bass Festival last week and the tournaments on the Mon have also slowed down. The weather and the post spawn have probably had a big effect on that. But during the season we had good fishing.”
Fishermen this weekend may be looking at a tall challenge. The river had been running high for several days. The stained water has cleared each day this week and the current has slowed, but the conditions promise to be less than favorable when the competition opens Saturday morning. There is a threat of rain in the forecast.
The conditions however will be equal among all competitors and only add to the challenge. The event is welcomed with open arms by the city of Morgantown and the Monongalia County Commission.
“Morgantown, BOPARC, the CVB, and the County Commission have always supported this event fantastically,” Burdette said. “I can’t say enough about them.”
One way the Federation shows its appreciation for the support is a celebrity tournament on Friday morning. Members of the city and county administration, members of the WVU community, and other prominent business leaders who support the trail are invited to take a fishing trip with a member of the Federation who volunteers to be the boater and guide for a day.
The tournament weigh-in each day will be at 4 p.m. at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park on the riverfront in Morgantown.