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N.Y. Healing Heroes weigh-in

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After a day of fishing on Skaneateles Lake in New York, the teams participating in the OPTIMA Batteries Healing Heroes in Action Tour presented by General Tire fishing event, gathered for the weigh-in.
After a day of fishing on Skaneateles Lake in New York, the teams participating in the OPTIMA Batteries Healing Heroes in Action Tour presented by General Tire fishing event, gathered for the weigh-in.
Edwin Evers was joined by two Elite Series pros, Ott DeFoe and Andy Montgomery. Each of them had a Purple Heart recipient in the boat with them.
Edwin Evers was joined by two Elite Series pros, Ott DeFoe and Andy Montgomery. Each of them had a Purple Heart recipient in the boat with them.
Steve Bowman acted as tournament director and explained how the weigh-in would be conducted.
Steve Bowman acted as tournament director and explained how the weigh-in would be conducted.
The teams were allowed five fish each, only two of which could be contributed by the Elite Series team member.
The teams were allowed five fish each, only two of which could be contributed by the Elite Series team member.
The first team to weigh their fish was Andy Vallombroso and David Dziob. Vallombroso was the high bidder to fish against the pros and their Healing Heroes partners.
The first team to weigh their fish was Andy Vallombroso and David Dziob. Vallombroso was the high bidder to fish against the pros and their Healing Heroes partners.
Andy Vallombroso is the creator of the jig Edwin Evers used to win the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.
Andy Vallombroso is the creator of the jig Edwin Evers used to win the 2016 Bassmaster Classic.
There were shenanigans during the weigh-in, as evidenced by somebody pulling down on the weigh in bag to make the weight of the fish in the bag appear heavier. The scales for the team of Vallombroso and Dziob eventually settled on 10 pounds, 4 ounces.
There were shenanigans during the weigh-in, as evidenced by somebody pulling down on the weigh in bag to make the weight of the fish in the bag appear heavier. The scales for the team of Vallombroso and Dziob eventually settled on 10 pounds, 4 ounces.
The team reported catching over 100 fish during their day on Skaneateles Lake.
The team reported catching over 100 fish during their day on Skaneateles Lake.
The event was being streamed live, and Edwin Evers discussed with each team how they caught their fish.
The event was being streamed live, and Edwin Evers discussed with each team how they caught their fish.
The next team to bring their fish to the scales was Andy Montgomery and his partner Justin Watts.
The next team to bring their fish to the scales was Andy Montgomery and his partner Justin Watts.
Montgomery and Watts had stated they had a big bag of fish before the weigh-in started, but the other competitors had hoped in was simply another dock talk, fish tale.
Montgomery and Watts had stated they had a big bag of fish before the weigh-in started, but the other competitors had hoped in was simply another dock talk, fish tale.
But when Andy Montgomery begin to smile as the scales settled on 17 pounds, 15 ounces, the remaining teams left to weigh in knew they might be in trouble.
But when Andy Montgomery begin to smile as the scales settled on 17 pounds, 15 ounces, the remaining teams left to weigh in knew they might be in trouble.
Montgomery and Walts' limit of fish was comprised of both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Montgomery and Walts’ limit of fish was comprised of both largemouth and smallmouth bass.
Montgomery explained how the team caught their fish and what an accomplished fisherman his partner Justin Walts, turned out to be. Walts will also fish the Bassmaster Northern Open on nearby Lake Oneida this week.
Montgomery explained how the team caught their fish and what an accomplished fisherman his partner Justin Walts, turned out to be. Walts will also fish the Bassmaster Northern Open on nearby Lake Oneida this week.
You can't see it here, but Ott Defoe also laughingly tried the trick of pulling down on the weigh-in bag.
You can’t see it here, but Ott Defoe also laughingly tried the trick of pulling down on the weigh-in bag.
But his fellow competitors were way too savvy to allow Defoe to pull that trick.
But his fellow competitors were way too savvy to allow Defoe to pull that trick.
As a follow up, Edwin Evers even made a quick check on DeFoe's weigh-in bag to make sure there weren't too many fish there.
As a follow up, Edwin Evers even made a quick check on DeFoe’s weigh-in bag to make sure there weren’t too many fish there.
Ott DeFoe and Jesse Steele with their best fish of the day. They were not able to knock the team of Montgomery and Walts out of the lead.
Ott DeFoe and Jesse Steele with their best fish of the day. They were not able to knock the team of Montgomery and Walts out of the lead.
The last team left standing was Edwin Evers and Brian Eisch.
The last team left standing was Edwin Evers and Brian Eisch.
The loaded their fish into a bag...
The loaded their fish into a bag…
...and looked on as the scales began to settle.
…and looked on as the scales began to settle.
Once again Ott DeFoe added a bit of fun hearted assistance. But this time he lifted up on the bag to make the weight of the fish appear lighter.
Once again Ott DeFoe added a bit of fun hearted assistance. But this time he lifted up on the bag to make the weight of the fish appear lighter.
Steve Bowman was forced to take control, and recalibrated the scales that eventually settled on a weight of 15 pounds, 2 ounces for Evers and Eisch.
Steve Bowman was forced to take control, and recalibrated the scales that eventually settled on a weight of 15 pounds, 2 ounces for Evers and Eisch.
Evers and Eisch's limit was comprised with both largemouth and smallmouth.
Evers and Eisch’s limit was comprised with both largemouth and smallmouth.
Edwin Evers thanked all the participants...
Edwin Evers thanked all the participants…
...there was a bit of smack talk left to finish...
…there was a bit of smack talk left to finish…
...before the men all shook hands and congratulated one another for a great day of fellowship on the water.
…before the men all shook hands and congratulated one another for a great day of fellowship on the water.
After the weigh-in there were more photos...
After the weigh-in there were more photos…
...and three of our nation’s heroes were awarded plaques in thanks for their participation and service.
…and three of our nation’s heroes were awarded plaques in thanks for their participation and service.
The Healing Heroes in Action Tour will move on to two events that will be held in a few weeks.
The Healing Heroes in Action Tour will move on to two events that will be held in a few weeks.

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