“This is our second to last qualifier and the points race is really heating up with just two tournaments left,” Medley said. “Rogne Brown is doing well, but the guys right behind him are looking for him to stumble in the next tournament or two.”

Medley reported that Brown has had some health issues recently, so everyone is waiting to see if he will fish Saturday’s tournament – or if he does if he will be in top form.

Adam Dysart and Jamie Copenhaver are actually leading the overall points standings, but anglers are allowed to drop their two lowest scores and currently that would put Brown in the lead. However, if he can’t fish Saturday or has a bad tournament, his lower scores could change and shake up the points race again.

“Rogne has to do well to clinch it, so at this point it’s really anybody’s game,” Medley said. “But, if he does what he is expected to do he should win it handily.”

Brown won the points championship in 2008 and 2009 and missed a third title by just one point in 2012.

Fishing in Cherokee should be very good this weekend, Medley said.

“The lake is still fishing good and it has all year. The grass is a little behind what it has been this time in years past, but I am starting to hear reports of some catches on frogs and other grass techniques,” Medley said. “I do expect to see the weights down a little bit because of the warm dry weather we’ve had lately, but I do expect to see an 8-pounder or bigger fish brought to the weigh-in.”

Although it has been a very good year for the trail, Medley said participation dropped off slightly, but that had more to do with the excellent fishing than anything else.

“We were down on average half a dozen to 10 less per tournament than last year. A lot of guys feel they can’t compete with the 40-pound weights that were coming in back in the spring.”

One controversial issue has commanded a lot of the conversation this year, Medley said.

“There has been a lot of pressure to ban the Alabama Rig. But on TVA lakes only a three-wire rig is allowed. It will continue to be allowed through this season, but who knows about next year? We’ll have new officer nominations are the conclusion of this tournament Saturday and then vote in the new officers at the October event.”

Medley added that Saturday’s tournament is sponsored by Chattanooga Fish-N-Fun, which will have a display of Ranger Boats at the weigh-in.

“We’ll be giving $2,000 to first place and there will be plenty of other cash and prizes,” he said.

After Saturday’s tournament the remaining tournament on the schedule will be Oct. 12 before the Classic Nov. 2-3.

Chattanooga Bass Association

Sat, Sep 14, 2013

Chickamauga Lake

Chester Frost Park

Call Justin Medley 423-667-5054

www.cbatournament.com