The First Annual Porter Wagoner Memorial Artists & Anglers Fishing Tournament.

On Tuesday June 3, 2008 Percy Priest Lake in Nashville Tn. saw the greatest male and female Bass fishing anglers pared  up with some of the biggest stars in country music for a day of fishing, fun and music.  At the end of the day following a concert/jam session and fish fry the crowning of the first year’s champions took place.  

Countyweekly.com reported the following results:

Porter Wagoner Tournament Winners

Emerson Drive keyboard player Dale Wallace and fishing pro Ramey Colson teamed up to win the inaugural Porter Wagoner Memorial Artists & Anglers Memorial Fishing Tournament at Nashville’s Percy Priest Lake, June 3.

Dale and Ramey took the tournament honors with 21.8 pounds of bass. Emerson Drive lead singer Brad Mates and fishing pro Gary Clouse took home third place with a total of 12.75 pounds, right behind second place finishers Bryan White and Ron Colby. The top-finishing females were Rebecca Lynn Howard and pro Emily Shaffer at 12.7 pounds

In Emily’s words:

Well, the 1st Annual Porter Wagoner Anglers & Artists Fishing Tournament is in the record books. It is always a good thing when anglers get to fish in charity tournaments, as this gives us a chance to give back something to the community. 

The day was fantastic as I fished with Rebecca Lynn Howard and we weighed in 12.70 lbs. That held first place for a long time,  but as fishing goes there was a 12.95lbs., 12.75lbs., and then a 20 plus bag of fish weighed in and we finished in 4^th place. Not a bad finish out of the 30 boats total.  

As you know the tournament was held on Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, TN. The weigh-in was held at Opry Mills, Bass Pro Shop.  And of course all proceeds benefiting The Opry Trust Fund. 

I want to personally thank the sponsors for the tournament:  G.Loomis, Owner Fishing Hooks, T-H Marine Company, Nashville Shores, Aftco Bluewater, Costa Del Mar, Gary Yamamoto, and Mary Kay. Food was furnished by Texas Roadhouse. All of these sponsors did a great job not only for the anglers but the fans as well. 

After the weigh-in the Artists put on a concert for the public.  It was well planned out as all the public had to do after watching the weigh-in was turn their chairs around and watched the concert!!!!!!!  It was a great time for everyone. 

                                                                    Emily Shaffer June 8^th, 2008