Ken Johnston
A new champion was crowned at the eighth-annual Morson Bass International over the weekend.
Pat Handorgan and Pat Gibbins finished with a two-day total weight of 33.56 pounds to claim the $1,500 first prize and title of MBI champs.
The duo were third after Day 1 with 16.63 pounds. John and Darlene Gibbins (17.29 pounds) had been in first, followed by Reuben and Brian Paulson (16.79 pounds).
There were 19 teams in the tournament and the top five from Day 1 were held back on Day 2 to create suspense.
Rounding out the top five after Day 1 were Allan Wolanicki and Kris Almers (15.75 pounds) and defending champs Terry Gill and Chad Hanson (15.73).
Of the 14 remaining teams, Dana Kaliska and Larry Brusven were in sixth with 15.29 pounds on Day 1. But when they added 17.29 pounds to their total on Day 2, they catapulted to the top of the pack with 31.99 pounds.
They held onto the lead through the rest of the field, with only the top five from Day 1 still to come.
Gill/Hanson were first to be paraded through the tent. Many expected the former champs—having won the MBI several times—to post a strong weight and take over the lead.
But they were skunked—pulling two rubber boots from their live wells.
“We were humbled by the lake today,” they told the crowd, citing choppy waters preventing them from reaching the spots they wanted to fish.
Wolanicki/Almers were next into the tent. They had four fish but they were not enough—at 9.35 pounds—to knock Kaliska/Brusven off the podium.
Then it was Handorgan/Gibbins’ turn. And to the crowd’s delight, they hoisted five nice bass that totalled 16.93 pounds for an overall total of 33.56 pounds—enough to take over top spot.
Both of the next two teams had five fish each, but Gibbins/Paulson only had 12.6 pounds while Gibbins/Gibbins only had 13.62.
“It’s about time!” Pat Gibbins told the crowd as he hoisted the trophy.
Both of the champs said they’ve fished the tournament for years, dating back to the days of it being held at Buena Vista Resort.
This was Pat Gibbins’ first time winning. For Handorgan, he’s won it three times now!
Many anglers complained about the choppy waters due to the high winds, including Handorgan.
“We took a pounding today,” he remarked.
“Normally it takes us about 45 minutes to get to our spot, but today it took one hour [and] 15 minutes.”
While they would not reveal their “secret spot,” the pair said they used the same techniques as they did in the Kenora Bass International earlier this month.
“We were mainly flipping tubes,” noted Handorgan.
“We mainly used green and orange tubes, and coffee tubes,” added Gibbins.
He said those are tubes that smell like coffee.
With only 19 boats in the derby the MBI only paid prizes to the top four teams this year.
The prize payouts were as follows:
1. Handorgan/Gibbins (33.56 pounds)—$1,500
2. Kaliska/Brusven (31.99)—$800
3. Gibbins/Gibbins (30.91)—$500
4. Richard and Tristan McKenzie (30.13)—$300
Largest baskets
Day 1
1. Gibbins/Gibbins (17.29 pounds)—$500
2. Gibbins/Paulson (16.70)—$300
3. Handorgan/Gibbins (16.63)—$200
Day 2
1. Kaliska/Brusven (17.29 pounds)—$500
2. McKenzie/McKenzie (17.17)—$300
3. Handorgan/Gibbins (16.93)—$200
Biggest smallmouth
Day 1
•Gibbins/Paulson (4.61 pounds)—$250
Day 2
•McKenzie/McKenzie (4.31 pounds)—$250
Biggest largemouth
Day 1
•Mike Salvador/Eric Sundmark (4.11 pounds)—$250
Day 2
•Mike Graham/Paul Visser (3.75 pounds)—$250
Meanwhile, 43 youngsters participated in the annual Kids’ MBI. Winning the tourney with the most fish caught was Jayden Asselin, nine, who caught four fish (one northern and three perch).
Nina Kreger, five, came in second, catching two walleyes.
The biggest fish went to Ava Tom, nine, with a northern pike.
In related news, 20 people participated in the annual MBI golf tournament at Spruce Creek Golf Course on Sunday morning.
All proceeds ($284.65) were donated to the Rainy River Locum House.
Buck Morrison took first place with a 39, earning $125.
Kam Kuzyk was second with a 41 ($75) while Jeff Swenson took third with a 42 ($30 plus a case of outboard oil).
Other prizes included
•Closest to the line—Reggie Morrison ($80);
•Closest to the pin—Jeff Swenson ($80);
•Casting for Bass—Gary Tuesday and Sheldon Tuesday ($25 each); and
•Hidden score—Donny Tolen ($20 and case of outboard oil)
As well, the MBI committee held several fundraisers during the tournament, with the proceeds going to the Rainy River Locum House.
About $500 was raised for the project.
