The 2007 Bassmaster Memorial was held at Oneida Lake in Syracuse, NY.
The Bassmaster Elite Series tour always opens local bass anglers' eyes to new possibilities, wherever it goes.
Tactics of the Final 6 anglers in the Bassmaster Memorial
Thliveros could only do half of what he does best, which is fish.
He held his smile until he was about a half a step back stage when he started swinging his arms around out of frustration.
"It seems like destiny," said Thliveros, a six-time BASS winner. "This victory and defending this title are the hallmark of my career."
"I didn't have anything else to do. I wasn't worried about catching any more fish. I just had time to kill, and I started fishing.
Apart from being a supporter of BASS and bass conservation, Butler was also a fine fisherman. In 1972, he won the Bassmaster Classic in dramatic fashion.
"The fishing should be good, as it usually is," said Rick Ash, an Elite Series pro who also is a guide on Oneida. "It's such a good lake. And July makes for really good fishing on Oneida.
Immediately following the Elite Empire Chase at Lake Erie, qualifying pros will drive back across the state to Oneida Lake for the second Major of the season, the Bassmaster Memorial.