LOCAL ANGLER to COMPETE IN BFL ALL AMERICAN
Local angler Duane Paquette has done something that many have not been able to accomplish. He will be fishing in the BFL ALL AMERICAN bass fishing tournament to be held at Lake DeGray 27-29 May 2010. Lake DeGray is a 13,800-acre lake in southwest Arkansas.
The BFL ALL AMERICAN is a bass tournament sponsored by FLW Outdoors and is held once a year. Anglers earn an invitation to this tournament by competing in their local division and then at one of six regional tournaments nationwide. Only the best qualify for this no entry fee tournament. Across the U.S. others fished their hearts out to obtain one of these elusive invitations. Only the top 6 finishers from each region would qualify. In all 54 anglers out of 4800 nationwide would earn a position to compete in this no entry, top level of fishing tournaments. The prize, $120,000 and a sense of accomplishment few have known.
Accomplishing this goal was not an easy task by any means. In 2009 Duane had to compete in his local division against 200 seasoned professional. Out of these 200 anglers only the 40 best advanced to the regional tournament held on Kentucky Lake, KY. With only five scheduled tournaments there was no room for error. Duane had an exceptional season and finished 10th place overall for the season and secured a spot for the KY Lake Regional.
At the Kentucky Lake regional Duane finished 7th overall and became an alternate in the event someone from his region would be unable to compete in the upcoming BFL ALL AMERICAN. On 27 April, FLW Outdoors called and informed him that one of the top 6 from his region was unable to compete. He was no longer an alternate.
When asked about how he felt about his accomplishment he replied, "First I have to thank God." "Without him this would have been impossible." "Next I would like to thank my wife Charlotte. She has been so patient with my fishing and has always supported me." Finally, I’d like to thank FLW for providing the way for a grass roots angler like myself to participate in something as prestigious as the All American.