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Healing Heroes on the water in N.Y.

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The Optima Batteries Healing Heroes in Action Tour presented by General Tire took place on Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in upstate New York and not far from Cayuga Lake. Skaneateles is pronounced “skinny atlas.”
The Optima Batteries Healing Heroes in Action Tour presented by General Tire took place on Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes in upstate New York and not far from Cayuga Lake. Skaneateles is pronounced “skinny atlas.”
The teams in this event included Elite Series angler Andy Montgomery and Marine veteran Justin Walts.
The teams in this event included Elite Series angler Andy Montgomery and Marine veteran Justin Walts.
Ott DeFoe and Jesse Steele.
Ott DeFoe and Jesse Steele.
Brian Eisch and Edwin Evers.
Brian Eisch and Edwin Evers.
And the two anglers who won the bidding process on Edwin Evers’ Facebook page for the chance to fish against the Elites were David Dziob and Andy Vallombroso. Dziob is well-known New York tournament angler and Vallombroso is the Andy in Andy’s Custom Jigs, the lure Evers used to win the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.
And the two anglers who won the bidding process on Edwin Evers’ Facebook page for the chance to fish against the Elites were David Dziob and Andy Vallombroso. Dziob is well-known New York tournament angler and Vallombroso is the Andy in Andy’s Custom Jigs, the lure Evers used to win the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.
Prior to the start of the event the group had a rules meeting where they learned in this event: There are no rules, but the fishing waters would be held in the north section of the lake.
Prior to the start of the event the group had a rules meeting where they learned in this event: There are no rules, but the fishing waters would be held in the north section of the lake.
With the rules over all the anglers headed to their boat.
With the rules over all the anglers headed to their boat.
Actually, Evers kind of flew to his when he realized it would be an old school shotgun start. But since guns are frowned on in New York, it was silent-shotgun start.
Actually, Evers kind of flew to his when he realized it would be an old school shotgun start. But since guns are frowned on in New York, it was silent-shotgun start.
Montgomery turns to look as he takes off and heads south while his competitors head north and east.
Montgomery turns to look as he takes off and heads south while his competitors head north and east.
Dziob and Vallombroso start on the east side not far from Evers and Eisch.
Dziob and Vallombroso start on the east side not far from Evers and Eisch.
Dziob starts deeper.
Dziob starts deeper.
And within minutes catches the first keeper of the day. It wasn’t big, but it did start what is formally known as professional gamesmanship, or informally known as trash talking.
And within minutes catches the first keeper of the day. It wasn’t big, but it did start what is formally known as professional gamesmanship, or informally known as trash talking.
Evers quickly responds by yelling out ‘giant’ as he fights a fish around the trolling motor of his boat.
Evers quickly responds by yelling out ‘giant’ as he fights a fish around the trolling motor of his boat.
The battle took him to he side of the boat, but the smile that was almost a laugh, told us there might something different about this one.
The battle took him to he side of the boat, but the smile that was almost a laugh, told us there might something different about this one.
It didn’t help that while Evers seemed to be in a monumental battle that Eisch and Bassmaster.com writer, Steve Wright were more in tune to the reactions of Dziob and Vallombroso. The fish actually turned out to be an 8-inch smallmouth but it did get everyone’s attention.
It didn’t help that while Evers seemed to be in a monumental battle that Eisch and Bassmaster.com writer, Steve Wright were more in tune to the reactions of Dziob and Vallombroso. The fish actually turned out to be an 8-inch smallmouth but it did get everyone’s attention.
Moments later Eisch and Evers were anchored down and fishing for a bedding bass.
Moments later Eisch and Evers were anchored down and fishing for a bedding bass.
One that Eisch soon set the hook on as Evers rushed to raise his Power Poles.
One that Eisch soon set the hook on as Evers rushed to raise his Power Poles.
Again one of the team members went low to retrieve a fish.
Again one of the team members went low to retrieve a fish.
This time it was no joke as Eisch raised a nice-sized smallmouth off the back deck of the boat, while Evers goads the other teams.
This time it was no joke as Eisch raised a nice-sized smallmouth off the back deck of the boat, while Evers goads the other teams.
With fish in hand, Evers gives his partner a pat on the back.
With fish in hand, Evers gives his partner a pat on the back.
Across the lake, Ott DeFoe points out a bedding fish for his partner Jesse Steele, easily one of the largest men, DeFoe has ever hosted in his boat.
Across the lake, Ott DeFoe points out a bedding fish for his partner Jesse Steele, easily one of the largest men, DeFoe has ever hosted in his boat.
While Steele works on the bed, DeFoe boats his first keeper.
While Steele works on the bed, DeFoe boats his first keeper.
And then Steele boats his for the first double of the day.
And then Steele boats his for the first double of the day.
DeFoe would continue to catch fish.
DeFoe would continue to catch fish.
This would be his second keeper and fill out his limit. In this event, the pros were allowed two keepers, while the warriors were allowed three.
This would be his second keeper and fill out his limit. In this event, the pros were allowed two keepers, while the warriors were allowed three.
While there were a lot of small fish being caught early, there was still some moving around with the pros looking for the better bites.
While there were a lot of small fish being caught early, there was still some moving around with the pros looking for the better bites.
But the better bites were hard to come by. The bites, though, were frequent.
But the better bites were hard to come by. The bites, though, were frequent.
While Montgomery works on his catch, Walts work on getting his first bite of the day.
While Montgomery works on his catch, Walts work on getting his first bite of the day.
While Walt was working on that, Montgomery realized his partner was familiar with a trolling motor and took a seat for some relaxing fishing.
While Walt was working on that, Montgomery realized his partner was familiar with a trolling motor and took a seat for some relaxing fishing.
Even from the back deck, he could catch them.
Even from the back deck, he could catch them.
On the front deck, Walts kept working.
On the front deck, Walts kept working.
And was soon rewarded with his first keeper.
And was soon rewarded with his first keeper.
Montgomery immediately went into celebration mode.
Montgomery immediately went into celebration mode.
And Walts would show off his first of the day.
And Walts would show off his first of the day.
Across the lake, Evers would be working on the front of his boat in a familiar fashion.
Across the lake, Evers would be working on the front of his boat in a familiar fashion.
But when this one jumped it was obvious it was a keeper.
But when this one jumped it was obvious it was a keeper.
Evers would quickly put the fish in the well.
Evers would quickly put the fish in the well.
Then get back to fishing with Eisch, who had lost a leg because of injuries sustained in Afghanistan. He was rescuing a wounded Afghan soldier when he was shot three times.
Then get back to fishing with Eisch, who had lost a leg because of injuries sustained in Afghanistan. He was rescuing a wounded Afghan soldier when he was shot three times.
Eisch’s prosthetic has a spring that serves as a foot and it was obvious he was very agile with it on. It of course sported the Army Ranger insignia.
Eisch’s prosthetic has a spring that serves as a foot and it was obvious he was very agile with it on. It of course sported the Army Ranger insignia.
Even with the prosthetic, Evers still accommodated him with a butt seat on the front deck.
Even with the prosthetic, Evers still accommodated him with a butt seat on the front deck.
An hour after the start of the event, it began raining and all of the anglers quickly donned rainsuits.
An hour after the start of the event, it began raining and all of the anglers quickly donned rainsuits.
Steele just shook off most of the rain, as he became more and more proficient with his rod and reel.
Steele just shook off most of the rain, as he became more and more proficient with his rod and reel.
And DeFoe would keep catching small fish.
And DeFoe would keep catching small fish.
While providing direction and tips to Steele.
While providing direction and tips to Steele.
Then show Steele how to catch one while holding this one as far away from as possible to make it look bigger.
Then show Steele how to catch one while holding this one as far away from as possible to make it look bigger.
Steele would eventually lose the rainsuit.
Steele would eventually lose the rainsuit.
And immediately hook up with a fish. But no matter how far he held it from his body, every fish would look small against a frame that looked like it belonged in the NFL instead of a fishing boat.
And immediately hook up with a fish. But no matter how far he held it from his body, every fish would look small against a frame that looked like it belonged in the NFL instead of a fishing boat.
The two would continue to work the north end of the lake around moored boats and docks.
The two would continue to work the north end of the lake around moored boats and docks.
Eventually the rain storm would pass.
Eventually the rain storm would pass.
And the catching just seemed to produce even smaller fish. This one made DeFoe look like he could be in the NFL. A command decision was made at this time to break the rules and everybody headed south.
And the catching just seemed to produce even smaller fish. This one made DeFoe look like he could be in the NFL. A command decision was made at this time to break the rules and everybody headed south.
The south end of Skaneateles Lake was less inhabited.
The south end of Skaneateles Lake was less inhabited.
And the anglers quickly set picturesque places.
And the anglers quickly set picturesque places.
But they also all got there at the same time.
But they also all got there at the same time.
As the three boats slid into the area, DeFoe was the first one to hook up and it drew everyone’s attention as the lined up behind him.
As the three boats slid into the area, DeFoe was the first one to hook up and it drew everyone’s attention as the lined up behind him.
DeFoe immediately liked the area, since it produced a bite on the first cast and it was their biggest of the day at that point.
DeFoe immediately liked the area, since it produced a bite on the first cast and it was their biggest of the day at that point.
He quickly went to work with the topwater.
He quickly went to work with the topwater.
Evers was so distracted that he got into super skinny water and started working hard to make his way out.
Evers was so distracted that he got into super skinny water and started working hard to make his way out.
Evers pushing water in super skinny areas is not an unusual sight.
Evers pushing water in super skinny areas is not an unusual sight.
While Evers was getting unstuck, Montgomery and Walts worked their way shallow.
While Evers was getting unstuck, Montgomery and Walts worked their way shallow.
But they had enough depth to get bit as they moved back into a short canal that looked promising.
But they had enough depth to get bit as they moved back into a short canal that looked promising.
Evers would get unstuck and follow.
Evers would get unstuck and follow.
And as he made his way in it became clear this little spot might crowded.
And as he made his way in it became clear this little spot might crowded.
Real crowded with Montgomery and Walt leading the way, a camera boat behind them and Evers bringing up the rear.
Real crowded with Montgomery and Walt leading the way, a camera boat behind them and Evers bringing up the rear.
It didn’t take long before the canal was abandoned but not before Evers blocked Montgomery’s exit while he got more tackle from his boat. It was only fair Evers would say, “because he cut me off.” Just another example of the ongoing professional gamesmanship.
It didn’t take long before the canal was abandoned but not before Evers blocked Montgomery’s exit while he got more tackle from his boat. It was only fair Evers would say, “because he cut me off.” Just another example of the ongoing professional gamesmanship.
The three professionals would set up shop just outside the canal and begin working the grass beds and docks nearby.
The three professionals would set up shop just outside the canal and begin working the grass beds and docks nearby.
And they soon began boating quality fish. This one by Evers.
And they soon began boating quality fish. This one by Evers.
And this one by Steele.
And this one by Steele.
The Wounded Warriors in Action video boat would slide in close and get some footage of Evers and Eisch.
The Wounded Warriors in Action video boat would slide in close and get some footage of Evers and Eisch.
And they would get to see some catches as well.
And they would get to see some catches as well.
We knew this was a good one when Evers rushed to get his rod out of the way.
We knew this was a good one when Evers rushed to get his rod out of the way.
Eisch would bring the fish close to the boat.
Eisch would bring the fish close to the boat.
And Evers would make a long grab for it.
And Evers would make a long grab for it.
And while Eisch posed with it, Evers would add some more professional gamesmanship to the pros around him.
And while Eisch posed with it, Evers would add some more professional gamesmanship to the pros around him.
A big high five later.
A big high five later.
And Evers would add a quality fish to his side of the livewell.
And Evers would add a quality fish to his side of the livewell.
Montgomery would answer with his own hook up.
Montgomery would answer with his own hook up.
But it would be too long, too skinny and have too many teeth to count in this contest.
But it would be too long, too skinny and have too many teeth to count in this contest.
But he followed that up with a key fish caught near a dock that brought up a school of bigger fish for Montgomery to see.
But he followed that up with a key fish caught near a dock that brought up a school of bigger fish for Montgomery to see.
The fish would take Montgomery to the side of the boat.
The fish would take Montgomery to the side of the boat.
Where he would bring in a chunk, laughing during the whole process.
Where he would bring in a chunk, laughing during the whole process.
He would give Evers his own brand of professional gamesmanship.
He would give Evers his own brand of professional gamesmanship.
While Montgomery was working on Evers, Walts was catching his own keepers.
While Montgomery was working on Evers, Walts was catching his own keepers.
He would catch one, give it to Montgomery to add to the livewell.
He would catch one, give it to Montgomery to add to the livewell.
And on the next cast catch another.
And on the next cast catch another.
Again, Montgomery would take the fish.
Again, Montgomery would take the fish.
Then go through the culling process while Walts continued to fish.
Then go through the culling process while Walts continued to fish.
Across the lake, DeFoe would be landing another quality largemouth.
Across the lake, DeFoe would be landing another quality largemouth.
And he would stand next to Steele…
And he would stand next to Steele…
Walking him through the process of fishing for a bedding fish.
Walking him through the process of fishing for a bedding fish.
Steele would hook the fish once, but after 10 or more minutes DeFoe was able to hook it again.
Steele would hook the fish once, but after 10 or more minutes DeFoe was able to hook it again.
It was obvious this one would likely make the weigh in, especially if you could weigh the splash.
It was obvious this one would likely make the weigh in, especially if you could weigh the splash.
DeFoe would hit the deck to land this one as Steve Wright watches from the passenger seat.
DeFoe would hit the deck to land this one as Steve Wright watches from the passenger seat.
DeFoe would eventually get his hands on the fish and bring it overboard.
DeFoe would eventually get his hands on the fish and bring it overboard.
But he wasn’t certain it would actually cull.
But he wasn’t certain it would actually cull.
A closer inspection and it was decided it was worthy of keeping.
A closer inspection and it was decided it was worthy of keeping.
Meanwhile Steele was picking up his game. He boated this smallmouth.
Meanwhile Steele was picking up his game. He boated this smallmouth.
Then followed it up with the big bass of the day.
Then followed it up with the big bass of the day.
And then again with another quality bite that DeFoe helped him land.
And then again with another quality bite that DeFoe helped him land.
Dziob and Vallombroso would come to the south end late.
Dziob and Vallombroso would come to the south end late.
They would soon catch fish in the area.
They would soon catch fish in the area.
The two reported they caught approximately 100 bass during the day. But like the rest of the anglers would be no match for Montgomery and Walts, who eventually won the event by catching 17 pounds near the dock where Montgomery has raised the big school.
The two reported they caught approximately 100 bass during the day. But like the rest of the anglers would be no match for Montgomery and Walts, who eventually won the event by catching 17 pounds near the dock where Montgomery has raised the big school.

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