FishingRomantis

The Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau has landed a big one. And this is no fish tale. Well, actually, it is.

Big-time fishing is happening on the Columbia River as you read this. The Wal-Mart FLW Series National Guard Western Division bass tournament has made our stretch of the river its first-ever stop in Washington.

And for those who think fishing is about as interesting as watching paint dry, this tournament may just change your mind.

This bass tournament on the Columbia brings with it $1 million in prize money. The top pro will take home $125,000 and the top "co-angler" (amateur) will receive a $25,000 prize.

While that's all well and good for the fishermen, it means even bigger bucks for the Tri-Cities. Lots of fishermen with fancy boats and top-of-the-line equipment equals lots of disposable income that will be pumped back into our economy for the next few days.

The impact on hotels alone is estimated at $350,000.

Along with a place to sleep, people need to eat. And put fuel into their fancy boats and pickups. Then there's always the chance that something might break or they forgot fishing line and they'll need to call on the services of a local retailer.

We have top-of-the-line fishing boat manufacturers right here, and maybe someone will want to take a new craft back to Arizona or California.

But even without any boat sales, officials from the Visitor and Convention Bureau expect anglers and their support crews and families to spend an additional $95 per day per person in the community.

While a few of the participants are from our region, more than 400 will be visiting the Tri-Cities, many for the first time. We even have some international anglers from Japan and Canada. And who among them won't be awed by the mighty Columbia?

This is not the first significant bass tournament to come to the Tri-Cities. Bassmaster has held its Western Invitational here in years past, but the prize money was much lower.

This is the big one.

The FLW series culminates with a grand prize of $1 million for the top angler at its annual fish-off. Even at this qualifying event in the Tri-Cities, 50th place earns $10,000 and 75th place still earns an angler $2,000.

Make you want to start fishing? Don't get your waders in a bundle in your rush. These folks are serious, traveling from tournament to tournament to lake to river to swamp. This sport takes dedication, a love of the early morning and serious money.

While fishing tournaments on big rivers don't necessarily provide for great spectator sports for shore-bound folks, it will be something to see in its edited version when the tournament is broadcast Nov. 18 on Fox Sports Net.

If you just can't stay away from the action this week, be at the Columbia Point Marina at 3 p.m. daily through Friday for the weigh-in. Anglers are vying to have the heaviest total of fish by Friday's weigh-in.

Fishermen estimate it will take 33 pounds of fish to make the cut. Then, the top 10 pros will continue fishing Saturday, competing for that $125,000 prize. It will take about 50 pounds of fish to earn that cash.

Another spectator-friendly event will take place before the final weigh-in Saturday at the Richland Wal-Mart. Free activities like a trout pond and boat simulator will be provided for the whole family from noon to 4 p.m., when the champion angler will be announced.

Best of luck to the competitors. Enjoy our community and the Columbia River and come back every year.