On Wisconsin!
Posted by Pete Robbins on Jan 28th 2020
Lost in all of the hubbub – for which I am partially responsible – about the presence of Minnesotan Seth Feider and three Canadians in the upcoming Bassmaster Classic is that fact that 2019 might have been the greatest year for Wisconsin bass fishing since the invention of the swim jig.
In particular, the Central Opens, normally the stomping grounds of the Arkansas/Oklahoma/Texas trinity of angler groups, served as a cash register for the cheeseheads.
It was no surprise when Devin Teigen (Nelson, WI) frogged up a win at LaCrosse, followed by Mike Brueggen, who slept in his own bed that week. Fernando Lobato (Sparta, WI) claimed the co-angler prize.
Less predictable was the result at Oklahoma’s Grand Lake, where Bob Downey (Hudson, WI) won the whole shebang, with Caleb Kuphall (Mukwonago, WI) the runner-up and Jay Przekurat (Stevens Point, WI) winning the co-angler division. Kuphall also managed to win the Open at Smith Lake, outlasting all-everything pro John Cox and local hammer Jordan Wiggins.
The Toledo Bend Open in February was the only one where the trophy did not go to the Badgers. Perhaps they were still thawing out.
Now, both Downey and Kuphall will fish the entire Elite regular season slate, along with the Classic. To keep Feider comfortable, the presence of Austin Felix will double the number of Minnesotans.
I just hope that if one of the Wisconsinites wins the big deal, or any derby for that matter, that the victory party features an endless cheese fountain and bountiful Spotted Cow beer.
