Pickwick Champions Trail

[tbrowning]

Pickwick Champions Trail; $160 entry fee; $15 to director; $10 to lunker;
$10 to Championship; and $125 paid out at the ramp. No membership.
Schedule is as follows:
3-3 J. P. Coleman
3-31 Scruggs Bridge
5-12 J. P. Coleman
6-9 J. P. Coleman
6-23 J. P. Coleman (four fish limit)
7-21 J. P. Coleman (four fish limit)
8-11 J. P. Coleman (four fish limit)

Championship 10-5th and 6th J. P. Coleman

Best group of people on the lake and by far best payouts;
ask anyone who fished with us last year--you will not be
disappointed. For more information, send IM or email
tbrowning23@gmail.com.

Tony Browning
B & H Outdoors, LLC
Pickwick Champions Trail and B & H Outdoors Guide Service

[bigfish]

Never "run" a tournament before but 15$ per person to the director seems pretty crazy to me

[tbrowning]

Per boat, not person. And that money is used for the trail. Believe me on
local trails more than that is usually not given back out. It may be stated as
"trail expenses", "held out for championships", "memberships" or whatever.
Not trying to be defensive or anything; fishermen should fish what they want
to. I believe we should be fishing for the best payouts we can, not to make
persons running tournaments get rich. Check out any trail around, ANY! If
you find one that you like, great. You will not find one on a tournament by
tournament basis run like this one with the payouts that it has. And I have
nothing to hide; each person just check for himself. Ask anyone that fished
last year, and then make up our own mind where we want to spend our money.

Tony Browning

[rpben9]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bigfish &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Never "run" a tournament before but 15$ per person to the director seems pretty crazy to me</td></tr></table>

Thinking these other guys "running" tournaments are paying back 100% is crazy If the director is running a true trail (not just a fruit jar), then they would have to keep some of the money.

[bigfish]

I just think 15$ per boat is too much when only 10$ per boat is going to the fish off. That has the director making 30% more than the entire payout for the fish off?? Unless you also charging a fee for the fish off

[tbrowning]

Championship entry fee is $250. This past year we didn't hold any
money for the championship; fishermen that participated wanted to
add some this year to build an even bigger pot for championship.
And again, unlike other trails, the expenses for the trail come from
that $15, not additional money that the fishermen have to come up
with. I don't want to start any issues; fishermen need to pick the
trail or trails and person or persons that they want to fish with and
stick with them. I have nothing to hide; if folks think it is too much
then they should not fish. But again as I stated before, if you put pen
and paper to any other trail around and see how much is paid in and
how much is actually paid out (not "door prizes" and "gift bags" and such)
you will find that no other trail pays out like this one. If anyone comes
and fishes one event and sees how things go and how much is actually
paid out at the ramp, they will admit just what I said. Just filled out 1099's
for last year; several fishermen brought in way more than the director last
year. That is by far the way it should be! Good luck in all your fishing
this year!

Tony Browning

P. S. The Championship is 100% payback; nothing comes out for
director in that event.

[bigfish]

I'm sure it will be a well run trail. Got some good sticks in that area too. Hope you have a good turnout.

[tbrowning]

Just a reminder; first tournament this weekend, March 3rd, at J. P. Coleman.
Unbelievable weights being caught right now; can't wait to see what will
turn up this weekend! Come get in on the fun!

Tony Browning
tbrowning23@gmail.com

[tbrowning]

16 paying teams showed up; great courtesy and sportsmanship displayed
by all. And great weights reflecting the great fishery that we have! 11 bags
over 17 pounds including 7 over 20; lots of fish over 5 lbs weighed in:

First Place: Lloyd Pickett Jr and Paul Frazier 23.28 $1055.00
Second Place: Craig Grubbs and Matt Ferguson 22.69 $630.00
Third Place: Lance Walker and Brad Wilemon 21.77 $315.00

Big Fish: Craig Grubbs and Matt Ferguson 6.57 $170.00

Next event is March 31 at Scruggs Bridge; hope to see you there!

Tony Browning
B & H Outdoors, LLC