Anglers gather in Lufkin

The final briefings and meetings for the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, was held this afternoon at the Pister Garrison Convention Center in Lufkin, Texas.

This week’s judges had their final briefing from B.A.S.S. Senior Tournament Manager, Chuck Harbin.

While the judges meeting was underway Elite Series competitors began to arrive for the final anglers’ briefing.

Rick Clunn and Paul Elias took a look at the scales that will be used to record fish weights from the judges that will be present in every boat.

Every angler was handed a briefing sheet when they checked in.

And like Cliff Crotchet is doing here, every angler was required to present a current Texas fishing license.

Their was a lot of interest and a few questions about the scales being used, Tournament Director Trip Weldon answered them all.

Texas pro Kelly Jordon is one of the founders of the Texas Toyota Bass Classic. He also finished 11th the last time an Elite Series event was held on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in 2006.

Dean Rojas finished second in that tournament with 75 pounds, 13 ounces.

This tournament is a meld of the popular Texas Toyota Bass Classic (TTBC) held the past 10 years and the BASSfest event.

Bill Lowen said he thought fish would be caught from as deep as 30 feet to the shoreline. Lowen finished fourth here in 2006.

Greg Hackney won 2006 Elite Series Lonestar Shootout on Sam Rayburn with 79 pounds, 10 ounces.

Kevin VanDam finished third in that tournament and is shown here displaying the decal that will be displayed on the windshield of every competitors boat this week.

It’s been awhile since the Elite Series has visited Sam Rayburn, 11 years to be exact. Randy and Robin Howell have been married much longer. The couple is celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this week.

Morizon Shimizu takes his turn at playing with the official scales.

Texan Keith Combs lives a few short miles from the launch area that will be used this week. Not only should he be comfortable with this week’s body of water, but he has won the TTBC an amazing three times in its 10-year history.

Edwin Evers has 11 wins in his B.A.S.S. career, among those a Bassmaster Central Open title on Sam Rayburn in 2004.

The grind of practice days on the water from daylight to dark could be seen on some faces…

…and the occasional failure to totally believe a fish story they were being told.

There were some serious conversations going on before the briefing began…

…but just as many more that were not.

And there was evidence that even old foes could sit together and visit as friends.

Before taking the podium Trip Weldon made sure everybody had an anglers briefing sheet.

Trip Weldon called the meeting to order…

…and first called up Dave Terre, the Chief of Fish Management for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Every year Terre has played an integral role in the success of the TTBC.

This sheet shows the payout for this tournament, the largest of the year other than the Bassmaster Classic. Every angler will receive a check.

Todd Faircloth lives near the lower end of Sam Rayburn and will be a favorite to do well this week.

Jacob Powroznik is always a threat to be there in the end, too.