The Fishers of Men National Team Trail, NC Piedmont Division kicked off the 2011 season on the steam plant waters of Belews Lake outside of Winston-Salem, NC on Feb 19th.

The evening before the tournament had the teams meeting at Edgewood Baptist Church on Reidsville Road and all of the anglers had a great night of fellowship, food and fun. Division director Mike Sides challenged the anglers to avoid being lukewarm…like the trout…comfortable with the surroundings. He suggested Christians be like the bass…knowing what it wants, being particular about its surroundings. Six anglers rededicated their lives at the meeting…what a great start!

The morning of the 19th brought breezy conditions and clear skies for the 37 teams testing the waters of Belews. When all was done, a number of bass were weighed in, and everyone had a good time.

Finishing in first place was the team of Stephen Singleton and Bradley Singleton with a 5 bass limit of 11.85 pounds and taking home $1066.00. Second place was taken by the team of Bill Kohls and Joe Nieser bringing 10.82 pounds to the scales and earning $600 for their efforts.

Taking third place was the team of Robert Mixon and Steve Sink with 10.76 pounds and wining $578.50. The team of Joseph Ratcliff and Josh Akers took fourth with 10.50 pounds, including the big fish tipping the scales at 3.86 pounds and earning $622. Fifth place was won by James Allred and Clarence Brickey with 10.22 pounds giving them a check for $401.50.

Sixth place went to Dean Collins and Ray Furr with 10.20 pounds putting $266 in their pockets. The final paying spot of $200 went to the seventh place team of Joel Richardson and Neal Stockton with 9.66 pounds.

23 of the 37 teams weighed in 5 fish limits and all but two of the teams brought fish to the scales. What a great tournament! The next stop on the trail will be at Lake Norman on March 19th.

The Lake Norman Tournament will be held at McCrary Creek Ramp on Hwy 150 aproximately 10 miles out of Mooresville at the hwy 150 bridge. The Friday night meeting will be held at Peninsula Baptist Church. Registration begins at 5:30 pm. Directions to the church are as follows: traveling West from I-77 on hwy 150 just as you begin to get out of the business district, turn left on Williamson Dr. (turn right coming from the lake) go approximately 2 miles and turn right on Brawley School Rd. The church will be about one half mile on your left.

We cannot do this without the help of our sponsors…
Our Divisional sponsors are: Nester Hoisery, Snyders Packaging, Tamarac Marina, Ben Franklin; Atty at Law, Cagles General Store and Flow Motors.

Our tournament sponsors are:  Sports Fisherman’s Center, Bass Pro Shops,Anglers Choice Marine, The Trophy House, Asheboro Alarm and Electric Co.,.Cashion Custom Rods,Pine Ridge Store Bens Salvage, Lead Chunkers and Carolina Marina.

Sponsoring our Adult/Jr. teams is Lyerly Dental and the door prize sponsors are: Advance Auto, Hwy 49 Sporting Goods, Fishing Fever, Get The Net Bait Co., Flemming Candy Co., Happy Farms,  Tournament Lure Concepts. Fisherman’s Friend , Capt Garys Instant Shine, Ron Moore Landscaping, Rudys Tackle, S&C Garage, Country Christian Book Store and Deep Creek Lures. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the fine companies that make Fishers of Men possible: Skeeter Boats, Yamaha,, Strike King Lure Company, Markel Marine Insurance, Abu Garcia, Power-Pole, Nester Hosiery, Marshall’s Marine Lake City SC, Keelshield, Solar Bat, Kistler,,Berkley, Spot Remover, Stanley Jigs,Gary ‘Yamamoto, Jacobs Glass,and Dual Pro Charger.

For information on fishing our trail, contact Mike Sides at [email protected]!