Tom's Toad Takes the Win at Gaston

      Leesville BASSMasters returned to Lake Gaston for the second time in three months, launching from the Steel Bridge ramp in the riverine section at the far western end of the lake.  Temps were in the low 70s at launch with a hint of a breeze and some intermittent cloud cover.  Temps reached around 90 by weigh-in.  Water temps were around 80.  From the looks of the trees, dock pilings, and shoreline water marks, Dominion Power had likely pulled water for generation on Friday, dropping the lake level around 1 foot while Kerr had apparently released no replenishment water upstream.  With no water being pulled through the dam on Saturday, everyone reported a slow grind.
      When all fish had been called to the weigh-in, Tom Robertson walked away with 1st place with a single 5.84 lb toad, which also took big fish honors for the day.  Duke Bevard followed closely in 2nd (4 fish, 5.44 lbs), with Mark Cannon coming in 3rd (3 fish, 4.28 lbs).  All but two members brought fish to the scales, and a couple of members reported losing some nice fish at the boat.
      Our next event will be a two-day tournament at Falls Lake on September 15 & 16.  Falls has been fishing a little slow lately, but that's par for the course in August.  With September 15 & 16 on the cusp of autumn, we're hoping to see some quality fish brought to the scales as the shad begin to move toward the backs of the creeks with the bass close behind.