Everybody saw the number, but apparently nobody saw it coming.
After back-to-back fields of 148 boats, only 109 were on hand for the FLW Stren Series event at Lake Oroville this past week. Given Oroville is arguably California’s best “limit lake,” something borne out in that all but seven pro anglers failed to weigh limits each of the first two days, it probably wasn’t the fishing that kept people away.
I asked Mike Folkestad (check here) about the situation and he said, “I was shocked by the turn-out.”
Reaching for an explanation he said, “Well, we’ve got the same old thing, the economy is bad, so a lot of guys may be saving their money. Also, we’ve got the Delta tournament in a week and a half.” The latter was the case because the Oroville date was moved to May when the water level was too low to launch when it was originally scheduled in February.
Then he offered something specific to FLW. “It might have had something to do with Chris Jones (recently departed tournament director),” said Folkestad. “Chris Hoover (Jones’ replacement) did a good job this week, but Jones was popular with the guys. Whether you got fish or not, when you left the stage, he made you feel like you were a pretty good fisherman. Guys may have stayed away when the they knew he wouldn’t be there, I don’t know.”
What we do know is FLW is undaunted by their numbers this year. According to Folkestad, both FLW Series and Stren Series schedules have been announced for 2010.
I was also shocked by the turn out. I think it primarily related to the date switch from Feb to May, so close to the Delta tournament. It was hard to negotiate the time off in the same month. I think we’ll see the numbers return at the Delta.
As to Chris leaving, He will be missed. He was one of the best TDs I have experienced but I don’t see having a boycott over him leaving.