It's win-win at Shelton's fishing adventure tourney
By PATTY LENDERMAN Lakecaster Managing Editor

It all started in 1993. Dr. Bill Shelton, cancer specialist at the Arthur Temple, Sr. Regional Cancer Center in Lufkin, identified a need for his patients. Dr. Shelton was an extra-ordinary doctor, treating not only the physical needs of his patients, but also the emotional aspects as well. What he couldn't do was help with the monetary hardships they incurred with the high cost of treatment, medicine, gas or transportation costs for them. Doc loved fishing. He was an avid tournament angler and enjoyed sharing the sport with others. Through the love for his patients, combined with his love for fishing, he designed the first Dr. Bill Shelton's Totally Awesome Fishing Adventure tournament. The purpose of this event was to help raise much needed funds specifically to help cancer patients in need. Anglers were only too happy to participate in this worthy cause.

Over the past 14 years, thousands and thousands of dollars have been raised helping these victims of cancer. This year, with 123 teams participating, $3,690 was added to the fund. This is the first year that Dr. Shelton was not present. His wife Emily, daughter Rebecca Chance and grandson Chip Watts are carrying on what has become a family tradition, helping Dr. Shelton's legacy live on.

It was a spring day May 19 at Shirley Creek Marina on Sam Rayburn. Volunteers from Lufkin Memorial, individuals and business owners from near and far came together to make this tournament happen. Several kids were also on hand to run fish from the scales back to the water. Many businesses made generous donations and provided several prizes. Craig Herpin of Bass Pro Shops

was on site, and saw what a wonderful partnership this venue provided between the anglers, businesses, community, hospital and the cancer patients of Memorial Health System of East Texas. He made a pledge on behalf of Bass Pro Shops that starting with next years' annual event, Bass Pro would be a major sponsor.

The cancer patients were not the only winners, the anglers enjoyed some winnings as well. Mike Mahem and Glen Lanier brought in the heaviest limit at 20.95 lbs. to win the tournament. They pitched black/blue jigs trailored with black/blue paca craws at deep drop offs near main lake points.

"It was a fairly steady bite all day. We didn't have to run much, but we hit about five different spots. Our fish were as shallow as 8' and as deep as 20'" Mike explained. Their 1st place check totalled $3,348.15.

Stanton Marsh and Alan Moore came in a close second weighing 20.73 lbs.

"We only fished one area" the team reported. "It was a slow bite, but we worked the area well with Texas rigged worms in the grass, around 10-12'. We finally put a limit together after 11 a.m., and was able to cull up a few times after that."

They were presented with a check for $2,363.40.

Robert Whittle and Bernie Shiflet won third place overall with 19.55 lbs. They also had the biggest bass of the tournament, weighing 9.72.

"We targeted shallow grass flats in the mid lake area."

They were using straight rigged Zoom trick worms. It was around 9 a.m. when the big one hit on Robert's line. "It was great. I knew right away she was a big one!" By 9:20, they wrapped up a limit, and enjoyed a $1,772.55 check for their third place win plus some more bonus bucks for their big bass.

Top 10 Winners: First - $3,348.15 20.95 lbs. Glen Lanier and Mike Mahem

Second - $2,363.40 20.73 lbs. Alan Moore and Stanton Marsh

Third - $1,772.55 19.30 lbs. Bernie Shiflet and Robert Whittle

Fourth - $1,313 18.08 lbs. Perry Hooks and Sam Flint

Fifth - $1,050.40 17.25 lbs. Clarence Denby

Sixth - $919.10 16.86 lbs. Jim Foster and Travis Barnes

Seventh - $787.80 15 lbs. Randy Turner and Jerry McMullen

Eight - $656.50 14.85 lbs. Ray Powell and Scott Stone

Ninth - $525.20 14.82 lbs. Truitt Dixon and Robert Cates

10th - $393.90 14.77 lbs. Kenny Jones and Corey Lowery

Top Three Big Bass:

First - 9.72 lbs. Robert Whittle

Second - 6.54 lbs. Stanton Marsh

Third - 6.33 lbs. Darrell Proffitt

For more information, call Lindsey Mott at the Memorial Health System of East Texas 936-639-7613.