This year’s Paul Jadro Memorial Bass Tournament winners have been knocking at the door for a while having finished in the top ten numerous times. Their consistency finally paid off with an impressive win over the field of thirty seven boats; bringing in five fish for a total weight of 23.64 lbs. Besides claiming first place, the team of Sam Humphrey and Thomas Bruce also brought in the big fish of the event weighing 5.96 lbs. for a total payout of $1,222.00.

In second place with a weight of 20.60 lbs. was the team of Steve Frick and Lyle Johnson, also no strangers to the podium. The pair received a check for $500.00 for their efforts along with second place plaques and hats. A mere 1/100th of a pound separated the third place team of Jesse Mela and David Humphrey weighing in 5 fish at 18.85 lbs. from fourth place finishers Jared Gadberry and (soon to be Mrs.) Malissa Marrow with a weight of 18.84 lbs. for 5 fish. Jared and Melissa collected a nice wedding gift of $350.00 along with 3rd big fish (5.51 lbs.) winnings. Total payout for the 26th annual tournament hosted by Fortuna Fire Company 2 was $4,100.00 along with 1st through 3rd plaques and hats sponsored by Ponci’s Diesel Center of Fortuna.

On the youth angler side of the event, five anglers under the age of 16 competed for the 1st place trophy with the team of Payton Marchi and Tristan Long taking it home. Their weight of 6.70 lbs. for 5 fish not only took the 1st place Youth Angler award but also earned them the “smallest limit award” of $50.00 sponsored by A-1 Radiator of Fortuna. Finishing in second place with 3 fish weighing 5.56 lbs. was the team of Hunter and Connor Bolton. Sydnee Foley, fishing with her dad Robb, rounded out the youth angler division teams with Sydnee bringing in one fish weighing 1.39 lbs. and yes, she out fished her Dad! A special “thank-you” to Rod and Jan Thompson of S & H Auto Machine of Fortuna for supporting the Youth Angler division, their sponsorship allows all youth anglers to take home awards and/or fishing tackle for participating with the hopes of sparking a continued interest in the sport.

As always, the members of Fortuna Fire Co. 2 would like to thank all the contestants for coming out and supporting the tournament as well as our many sponsors:

Major tournament sponsors

  Gale & Nielsen Attorneys

  Natural Resource Management

  Petersen Construction

  Bob’s Foot Longs – Fortuna

Plaque sponsor

  Ponci’s Diesel Center

Youth Angler sponsors

  S & H Auto Machine        Fortuna Fire Co. 4         Grundmans’ Sporting Goods       Sport and Cycle

Smallest Limit

  A-1 Radiator

Boat Inspections

  Reynolds RV Repair

Raffle sponsors

  RMI Outdoors              Snap-on Tools                 Englund Marine                 Hummel Tire

  Pacific Outfitters                      Springville Safety and Supply                         Dave’s Auto Electric

  Les Schwab – Fortuna                    RWS Services                                 NAPA Auto Parts – Fortuna

  Humboldt Petroleum                      Auto Zone – Fortuna                   Lithia Chrysler-Dodge

  Spotlight Video                               Del Reka Distributors                     Interstate Battery

  Renner Petroleum                   O’Riley’s Auto Parts – Fortuna                        Shelton’s Auto Lube

  707 Motorsports                            Adams Oil Well & Repair                               Bandera’s

  Deanna Glaser Premier Designs               Grocery Outlet – Fortuna              Premier Oil Change