GREEN RIVER, Wyo. — Nik Autrey and Tyler Evans are the newest names on the 2012 Bassmaster Junior World Championship roster. The pair out-fished their peers today on Wyoming’s Flaming Gorge during the Junior Bassmaster competition at the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Western Divisional.
“I’m looking forward to the championship,” said Autrey, who represented the older division (ages 15 to 18) for the Washington B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. He took a risk this morning when he threw a fish back, holding out for a larger one while obeying the no-cull rule. It was a good decision. He brought in a limit of fish that weighed 11 pounds, 5 ounces today, including one bass that weighed 2-14.
Autrey caught three fish on beds and two on reaction baits. His closest competitor was Ethan Peterson of Idaho, whose limit weighed 10-5. Peterson’s sack included a good 3-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth.
Evans made his state of Montana proud with his 6-pound, 9-ounce limit that bested the competition by a single ounce. “I didn’t throw any back today,” said Evans. He caught his five fish with a clear jerkbait over rocks in 6 to 10 feet of water.
“I want to thank my dad for teaching me everything he knows,” said Evans on stage, obviously emotional. His father, Jay Evans, was one of the adult contenders for the Montana team, where he placed fourth.
Just behind Evans was Logan Branscum of Nevada, who brought in a limit that weighed 6-8. His biggest bass was a 1-10 that he caught on a Truly Ugly Canyon Plastics Gitzit Tube (light green with red flake) in 12 feet of water on an outside point.
Next week at the 2012 Cabela’s Bassmaster Federation Nation Central Divisional in Morgan City, La., two more youngsters will receive an invitation to the championship. Willem Lubbinge of South Africa and Luke Farmer of Florida qualified for the championship in March during the Southern Divisional.
The 2012 Bassmaster Junior World Championship will take place Oct. 25-27 in Decatur, Ala.
Results
Ages 11-14
| Rank | Name | State | #Fish | Lbs – Oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Tyler Evans | Montana | 5 | 6-9 |
| 2. | Logan Branscum | Nevada | 5 | 6-8 |
| 3. | David Ashton | Idaho | 3 | 6-0 |
| 4. | Tristan Decker | Washington | 5 | 5-12 |
| 5. | Connor Burn | Utah | 2 | 5-2 |
| 6. | Josh Villa | Colorado | 3 | 5-1 |
| 7. | Julian Sosa-Carver | New Mexico | 3 | 3-6 |
| 8. | Connar Wilkins | Wyoming | 2 | 2-8 |
| 9. | Logan Meredith | Washington | 1 | 1-1 |
| 10. | James Nobles III | Arizona | 0 | 0 |
Ages 15-18
| Rank | Name | State | #Fish | Lbs – Oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nik Autrey | Washington | 5 | 11-5 |
| 2. | Ethan Peterson | Idaho | 5 | 10-5 |
| 3. | Jacob Wall | Oregon | 4 | 5-12 |
| 4. | Tyler Garrison | Montana | 3 | 4-7 |
| 5. | Seth Hausman | Utah | 2 | 4-3 |
| 6. | Michael Harpell | Colorado | 2 | 3-12 |
| 7. | Matthew Myers | Nevada | 1 | 1-8 |
| 8. | Landon McKnight | New Mexico | 1 | 0-14 |
| 9. | Taylor Tucker | Wyoming | 0 | 0 |
| 10. | Garrett Dow | Arizona | 0 | 0 |