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| Our new DPC Champ! Dillon Brooker (Kind of a Big Dill) |
Every year immediately post-Pickle, I feel a huge sense of relief that we got through another successful Pickle and also a real bummed out feeling that another year is in the history books.
I'm so thankful for each and every one of you that came out to be a part of our growing "Fun-raiser" that has put a fun, ethical spin on tournament angling on Lake Champlain. With the FLW tournament going on simultaneously out of the NY side of the lake, there were plenty of anglers competing all over the lake. It was great to see so many fly anglers and Pickle shirts as I cruised around different parts of the lake!
In all, there were 72 teams and 163 anglers that showed up to the Pickle Family Reunion this year. A large jump from 134 anglers in 2015!
We were pleased to roll out the DPC Tournament App for this year's event. Well over 100 anglers downloaded the app and we got some great reviews from the field. Service can be spotty on N. Lake Champlain, but we were still able to collect 2 updates on Day 1 and a lines out update on Day 2. I spoke with several anglers that made adjustments to their strategies after seeing the first updates of the event. Send us your feedback and look for more fine tuning of the app and scoring process as the Pickle progresses.
We did hear of some Picklers that went to the wrong venue for the awards. All the details were listed on the 2016 DPC page, so apologies for those of you that didn't look that over. There's even a map on the page.
Lake Champlain was about 3 feet lower than last year, which surprised many anglers that found dry ground that was once underwater structure. It was also hot, hot, hot this weekend with air temps in the 90's both days. The wind really blew on Sunday, so a large chunk of the field struggled just to find areas out of the gusts.
After the scores were tallied, it was a 1 point difference between 1st and 2nd place individual, and Dillon Brooker (Kind of a Big Dill) was able to squeak by Jeff Faulkner (Imbassiles) and take home the win with 27 individual points! Dillon took home the DPC trophy, the Jackson Kayak and the Samantha Aronson print! Way to go Dillon!
Jeff Faulkner and John Cooper (Imbassiles) were a close 2nd and third place, with Jeff (26 points) taking home the Orvis Recon Outfit and John (23 points) taking the Pat Cohen fly selection and Peak Vise donated by Green Mountain Troutfitters!
Dillon Brooker and Dan Russell (Kind of a Big Dill) worked hard to put points on the board and soon learned that every point would count! Their 49 points combined were enough to put them in a tiebreaker 1st place podium spot and unseat 2-time champs, John Cooper and Jeff Faulkner of team Imbassiles! Dillon and Dan's 1st place spot earned them a pair of Orvis Hydros reels, Julbo sunglasses and a couple Chloe Salamone prints!
Cooper and Faulkner are a force to be reckoned with and don't go down easy, missing 1st by a hair and taking homea pair of Orvis Clearwater Outfits! Ben Wilcox and Michael Woulf (DSTP) posted 39 points for a 3rd place team finish and a pair of Rock River Rods!
This year we set a record with our biggest pickle yet, a 21.75" largemouth landed by James Kontos (Gyros & Perogies)!! For that 1 fish, James took home a big check for $1410.00!!!!
James Kontos also took home a brand new Sunny Brook Landing Net for landing a 35" sheepshead that would trump the exotic category!
In a complete turn of the tide, previous Big Pickle winner Jim Anderson foudn himself instead the recipient of the Nick Mayer bass print for the smallest bass award.
Our top paddler was Jeremy Clapp (Hartford Yard Goats) who took home a Fishpond sling sponsored by Green Mountain Troutfitters.
Marc Guy (Old Dirty Basstards) landed some nice fish, including a 34" Northern Pike which ended up being the largest of the weekend and worth a Redington Predator fly rod!
In our Junior category, Max Hogg was able to put some quality fish on the board for a total of 11 points. Max won an Orvis Hyros Fly Line and also had the 2nd biggest pickle (20") of the weekend!
We also had our youngest angler of Pickle history, 7 year old Finn Barden (Record Rock Bass)! Finn was awarded Tunaskin gift cards.
Some incredible team names as always! This year it was Chloe Salomone and Daunte Hueckstaedt from team, I Like it on Topwater that won the best team name and a pair of $50 Cheeky gift cards!
There were plenty of boat troubles, but the Breakdown Award went to Team AJ, who ran aground at 30mph and did some serious lower end damage! We hope the bottle of Whistle Pig Whiskey eased their pain!
A huge shout out to our great sponsors that make this all possible! Mark your calendars for the 2017 Ditch Pickle Classic on June 24/25, 2017!
We also had our youngest angler of Pickle history, 7 year old Finn Barden (Record Rock Bass)! Finn was awarded Tunaskin gift cards.
Some incredible team names as always! This year it was Chloe Salomone and Daunte Hueckstaedt from team, I Like it on Topwater that won the best team name and a pair of $50 Cheeky gift cards!
There were plenty of boat troubles, but the Breakdown Award went to Team AJ, who ran aground at 30mph and did some serious lower end damage! We hope the bottle of Whistle Pig Whiskey eased their pain!
A huge shout out to our great sponsors that make this all possible! Mark your calendars for the 2017 Ditch Pickle Classic on June 24/25, 2017!
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| Our new DPC Champ! Dillon Brooker (Kind of a Big Dill) |
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| Jeff Faulkner (Imbassiles) - 2nd Place Indy |
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| John Cooper (Imbassiles) - 3rd Place Indy |
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| 1st Place Team - Kind of as Big Dill - Dan Russell & Dillon Brooker |
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| 2nd Place Team - Imbassiles - John Cooper & Jeff Faulkner |
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| 3rd Place Team - DSTP - Michael Woulf & Ben Wilcox |
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| Big Pickle (21.75" Largemouth worth $1410!) James Kontos (Gyros & Perogies |
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| 1st Place Junior Angler - Max Hogg - Bassholes |
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| Smallest Bass - Jim Anderson - Swedish Pimples |
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| Best Exotic - 35" Sheepshead - James Kontos (Gyros & Perogies) |
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| Largest Northern Pike - 33" - Marc Guy (Old Dirty Basstards) |
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| Top Paddler - Jeremy Clapp (Hartford Yard Goats) |
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| Best Team Name - "I Like it on Topwater" - Chloe Salomone & Daunte Hueckstaedt |
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| Youngest Pickler - Finn Barden (7 years old) - Record Rock Bass |
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| Breakdown Award - Team AJ |
Individual Standings...
| 1 | Dillon Brooker | 27 |
| 2 | Jeff Faulkner | 26 |
| 3 | John Cooper | 23 |
| 4 | Dan Russell | 22 |
| 5 | Jake Borgeson | 21 |
| 6 | Ben Wilcox | 20 |
| 7 | Jeremy Clapp | 19 |
| 8 | Mike Woulf | 19 |
| 9 | Nathan scott | 19 |
| 10 | Jay Modry | 18 |
| 11 | John Synnott | 18 |
| 12 | Barry Parker | 18 |
| 13 | Tom waidlich | 17 |
| 14 | Jared | 17 |
| 15 | Curt Carter | 17 |
| 16 | Matt Dickstein | 16 |
| 17 | Jim Anderson | 16 |
| 18 | Charlie Carlson | 16 |
| 19 | Matthew rogerson | 15 |
| 20 | Brian Zinger | 15 |
| 21 | Blake hackerson | 14 |
| 22 | Austin Coles | 14 |
| 23 | Jeff Dybinski | 14 |
| 24 | Dana evans | 13 |
| 25 | Evan Potter | 13 |
| 26 | Lorenzo LaBrusciano | 13 |
| 27 | Mike Ryan | 13 |
| 28 | Andrew Pierce | 13 |
| 29 | John Dziedzic | 12 |
| 30 | Kevin Welch | 12 |
| 31 | Jay Aylward | 12 |
| 32 | Ryan Beaulieu | 12 |
| 33 | Marc guy | 12 |
| 34 | Steve stanley | 12 |
| 35 | Gerry Herrera | 11 |
| 36 | James kontos | 11 |
| 37 | Max Hogg | 11 |
| 38 | Jonathan Rose | 11 |
| 39 | Scott Edwards | 11 |
| 40 | Adam Mapes | 11 |
| 41 | Shawn ricker | 10 |
| 42 | Sol Lakey | 10 |
| 43 | Brian Mcallister | 10 |
| 44 | John Berry | 10 |
| 45 | Jon debono | 9 |
| 46 | Elliot Thomas | 9 |
| 47 | Ken Capsey | 8 |
| 48 | Dillon Snell | 8 |
| 49 | Quinn Jenkins | 8 |
| 50 | Kevin Favreau | 8 |
| 51 | Reed Kennedy | 8 |
| 52 | Taylor Marton | 8 |
| 53 | Zach Favreau | 8 |
| 54 | Ben Senning | 7 |
| 55 | Darin Shirk | 7 |
| 56 | Pat Sharrow | 7 |
| 57 | Sam Potter | 7 |
| 58 | Dan Dziedzic | 7 |
| 59 | Shreve soule | 7 |
| 60 | Brendan barden | 7 |
| 61 | Jon Ams | 6 |
| 62 | Andrew fraser | 6 |
| 63 | Brian cadoret | 6 |
| 64 | Zak Robinson | 6 |
| 65 | Jeff Guilmette | 5 |
| 66 | Brian forrest | 5 |
| 67 | Brian lang | 5 |
| 68 | Dan Romanelli | 5 |
| 69 | Janie McKenzie | 5 |
| 70 | Ryan Whitney | 5 |
| 71 | Max Haendler | 5 |
| 72 | Tim Davis | 4 |
| 73 | Matt lapointe | 4 |
| 74 | Adam Kormuth | 4 |
| 75 | Brandon Trombly | 4 |
| 76 | Daunte Hueckstaedt | 4 |
| 77 | Tim | 4 |
| 78 | Tommy Burchard | 4 |
| 79 | J. Seals | 4 |
| 80 | Jamison Haskins | 4 |
| 81 | Kyle Patten | 3 |
| 82 | Tyler wood | 3 |
| 84 | Finn barden | 3 |
| 85 | Tim Birmingham | 2 |
| 86 | nick mayer | 2 |
| 87 | Charles Sargent | 2 |
| 88 | Chris Lynch | 2 |
| 89 | Brandon Weaver | 2 |
| 90 | Nate Carter | 2 |
| 91 | Logan Mapes | 1 |
| 92 | Chris Nuckols | 1 |
| 93 | Chris gagne | 1 |
| 94 | Chris boucher | 1 |
| 95 | Zack Griswold | 1 |
| 96 | Josh Rosetti | 1 |
| 97 | Andy white | 1 |
| 98 | Jeremy Carter | 1 |
| 99 | Brad Bowes | 1 |
| 100 | Leo Nerbak | 0 |
| 101 | John Trombly | 0 |
| 102 | Chloe Salomone | 0 |
| 103 | Peyton Bowden | 0 |
| 104 | kelsie | 0 |
| 105 | Asa Sargent | 0 |
| 106 | Kevin Sorin | 0 |
| 107 | Matt Cain | 0 |
| 108 | Taylor Bohannon | 0 |
| 109 | Mike kontos | 0 |
| 110 | Tom Potter | 0 |
| 111 | Shane Carrier | 0 |
| 112 | Kemener Whalen | 0 |
| 113 | Mike Hulvey | 0 |
Team Standings...
| 1 | Kind of a Big Dill | 49 |
| 2 | Imbassiles | 49 |
| 3 | DSTP | 39 |
| 4 | SS Minnow | 34 |
| 5 | Wet Dreams | 34 |
| 6 | Castaways | 33 |
| 7 | Plan B | 29 |
| 8 | Bassachusets | 29 |
| 9 | Bassackwards | 28 |
| 10 | Hartford Yard Goats | 28 |
| 11 | Outcasts | 26 |
| 12 | Gryos & Perogies | 25 |
| 13 | Old dirty basstards | 25 |
| 14 | Breaking Bass | 25 |
| 15 | Bed Bass and Beyond | 24 |
| 16 | Team Sally | 22 |
| 17 | Go Bass Or Go Home | 21 |
| 18 | Shaw's Law | 21 |
| 19 | Pickle Ticklers | 20 |
| 20 | Swedish Pimples | 20 |
| 21 | Slap n' Pickle | 19 |
| 22 | Flies Down Worm Our | 19 |
| 23 | Kosher Dills | 19 |
| 24 | Bugs, Bugger & Crawfish | 19 |
| 25 | Make America Bait Again | 17 |
| 26 | Record rock bass | 17 |
| 27 | Popper Pimps | 16 |
| 28 | Deep in the Bass | 15 |
| 29 | Swampbass | 15 |
| 30 | Rising Tide Anglers | 15 |
| 31 | We're Gonna Need A Bigger Bass | 13 |
| 32 | Bucket Loaders | 13 |
| 33 | Hard Candy | 13 |
| 34 | Bass King in the sun | 12 |
| 35 | Hoggers | 12 |
| 36 | Bassholes | 11 |
| 37 | Team aj | 10 |
| 38 | Piscius Maximus | 10 |
| 39 | Sagging Bass | 9 |
| 40 | slab slayers | 8 |
| 41 | Just The Tippet | 8 |
| 42 | Cash, Bass or Grass | 7 |
| 43 | Bass to Mouth | 6 |
| 44 | Life in the Bass Lane | 4 |
| 45 | I Like It On Top Water | 4 |
| 46 | Happy Hookers | 3 |
| 47 | Pop-A-Top | 2 |
| 48 | Bassectomy | 2 |
| 49 | Inglorious Basstards | 1 |
| 50 | bloodbass | 1 |
Big Pickle...
| 1 | James kontos | 21.75 |
| 2 | Max Hogg | 20 |
| 3 | Jeff Faulkner | 19.9999 |
| 4 | Lorenzo LaBrusciano | 19.75 |
| 5 | Ben Wilcox | 19.5 |
| 6 | Jay Modry | 19.25 |
| 7 | Dillon Brooker | 19 |
| 8 | Jeremy Clapp | 19 |
| 9 | Kevin Favreau | 19 |
| 10 | Adam Mapes | 19 |
Exotics...
| 1 | James kontos | Sheepshead | 35 |
| 2 | Chris gagne | Bowfin | 30 |
| 3 | Shawn ricker | Bowfin | 29 |
| 4 | Charlie Carlson | Bowfin | 24.5 |
| 5 | Austin Coles | Bowfin | 22 |
Northern Pike...
| 1 | Marc guy | 33 |
| 2 | Sam Potter | 29.5 |
| 3 | Brian cadoret | 25.5 |
| 4 | Matt Dickstein | 25 |
| 5 | Tom Waidlich | 25 |
| 6 | Zack Griswold | 25 |
| 7 | Austin Coles | 24.5 |
| 8 | Jeff Guilmeete | 24.5 |
| 9 | Jake Borgeson | 23.5 |
| 10 | Brendan barden | 22 |
