Elite pros on Lake Charles

Before the Elite Series begins this week, some Elite pros spent some time on Lake Charles.

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The weekend before start of the Bassmaster Elite Series Edwin Evers (center left), Dennis Tietje (rear right) and Paul Elias (right front) gathered at Grosse Savanne for a few days of “relaxed” fishing, while also hosting two veterans from the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation.
The weekend before start of the Bassmaster Elite Series Edwin Evers (center left), Dennis Tietje (rear right) and Paul Elias (right front) gathered at Grosse Savanne for a few days of “relaxed” fishing, while also hosting two veterans from the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation.
James Holbrook, 29, of San Antonio, Texas, and Tyson Scott, 29, of Houston, Texas, were the first two participants in Elite Series angler Edwin Evers'
James Holbrook, 29, of San Antonio, Texas, and Tyson Scott, 29, of Houston, Texas, were the first two participants in Elite Series angler Edwin Evers’ “Healing Heroes In Action” campaign.
Evers and Tietje guided the two for a day on Miller’s Lake, a part of Grosse Savanne’s line up of outdoor trips.
Evers and Tietje guided the two for a day on Miller’s Lake, a part of Grosse Savanne’s line up of outdoor trips.
The lake, just three years old, is full of largemouth, allowing Holbrook to catch a keeper on his first cast.
The lake, just three years old, is full of largemouth, allowing Holbrook to catch a keeper on his first cast.
But it also came with a crankbait buried in each leg that required a helping hand from Tietje.
But it also came with a crankbait buried in each leg that required a helping hand from Tietje.
As the sun breached the clouds, the fishing started picking up.
As the sun breached the clouds, the fishing started picking up.
Evers would hook up with one quickly.
Evers would hook up with one quickly.
And lost it just as quick.
And lost it just as quick.
Tyson Scott would get his to the boat and get a photo taken by one of bass fishing’s heroes.
Tyson Scott would get his to the boat and get a photo taken by one of bass fishing’s heroes.
The two would catch 58 largemouth that would average close to 3 pounds each.
The two would catch 58 largemouth that would average close to 3 pounds each.
All of them putting up a battle.
All of them putting up a battle.
And adding a bit of excitement.
And adding a bit of excitement.
And finishing with big smiles.
And finishing with big smiles.
Evers got the idea for the
Evers got the idea for the “Healing Heroes In Action” campaign a few years ago.
Evers had taken a Wounded Warrior fishing during the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year week and wanted to do it again.
Evers had taken a Wounded Warrior fishing during the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year week and wanted to do it again.
His plan is to take a wounded veteran prior to every Elite event this season.
His plan is to take a wounded veteran prior to every Elite event this season.
Giving them a chance to take part in some great fishing.
Giving them a chance to take part in some great fishing.
And teaching them something about the sport in the process.
And teaching them something about the sport in the process.
On the same reservoir, Kevin VanDam was taking part in a photo shoot for Plano Tackle Systems.
On the same reservoir, Kevin VanDam was taking part in a photo shoot for Plano Tackle Systems.
And he would be catching several of his own as well.
And he would be catching several of his own as well.
Paul Elias got in some casts as well.
Paul Elias got in some casts as well.
Counting the day as valuable because it allowed him to tune his tackle.
Counting the day as valuable because it allowed him to tune his tackle.
Not to mention catch a lot of fish.
Not to mention catch a lot of fish.
Tietje and Holbrook, though, would find themselves in a tournament with Evers and Scott.
Tietje and Holbrook, though, would find themselves in a tournament with Evers and Scott.
Tietje guides clients for Grosse Savanne in his spare time.
Tietje guides clients for Grosse Savanne in his spare time.
And knows where a lot of the fish hang out.
And knows where a lot of the fish hang out.
The tournament would be a three-fish limit event.
The tournament would be a three-fish limit event.
Where the pros could only weigh one fish.
Where the pros could only weigh one fish.
And the veterans accounted for the remaining two.
And the veterans accounted for the remaining two.
When a good one came in the boat, there was plenty of celebration.
When a good one came in the boat, there was plenty of celebration.
Along with a close look on fish that were separated by ounces.
Along with a close look on fish that were separated by ounces.
Not exactly the Bassmaster helicopter, but a crop duster added an aerial presence.
Not exactly the Bassmaster helicopter, but a crop duster added an aerial presence.
And fish were consistently brought to the boat.
And fish were consistently brought to the boat.
Alligators were everywhere.
Alligators were everywhere.
Rushing in the water when you got too close.
Rushing in the water when you got too close.
It was all part of the scene for the photo crew following VanDam.
It was all part of the scene for the photo crew following VanDam.
Even though he was working, he spent plenty of time fishing.
Even though he was working, he spent plenty of time fishing.
The warriors consistently caught fish.
The warriors consistently caught fish.
Stayed consistently excited.
Stayed consistently excited.
And occasionally they would lose one.
And occasionally they would lose one.
But they caught their share as well.
But they caught their share as well.
Moving like professionals before the day was over.
Moving like professionals before the day was over.
VanDam would learn a few things as well. If you looking closely at his windshield, you will see the hole he knocked in it with his lure during the early part of the day.
VanDam would learn a few things as well. If you looking closely at his windshield, you will see the hole he knocked in it with his lure during the early part of the day.
It was VanDam’s first fishing of the year in a new boat and learned he would have to adjust his casting.
It was VanDam’s first fishing of the year in a new boat and learned he would have to adjust his casting.
And he still caught plenty.
And he still caught plenty.
Even swapping out guides on the lake every once in a while and fishing with them.
Even swapping out guides on the lake every once in a while and fishing with them.
Like the gators, though, he was mostly in the background.
Like the gators, though, he was mostly in the background.
The Wounded Warriors were at center stage. Scott and Evers show off their best four while deciding which three they would weigh.
The Wounded Warriors were at center stage. Scott and Evers show off their best four while deciding which three they would weigh.
And Tietje and Holbrook would compare theirs as well.
And Tietje and Holbrook would compare theirs as well.
The foursome would eventually announce Evers and Scott as the winners of the day.
The foursome would eventually announce Evers and Scott as the winners of the day.
But both anglers would receive hundreds of dollars of prizes from Evers’ sponsors.
But both anglers would receive hundreds of dollars of prizes from Evers’ sponsors.
Scott would get to take home a winner’s plaque.
Scott would get to take home a winner’s plaque.
And a lot of memories shared with Evers.
And a lot of memories shared with Evers.