Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9408020050
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
The 23-year-old cook from Newtown, Conn., became the first contestant in the 24-year history of the Classic to win as a Federation fisherman, which is the amateur arm of the tournament circuit.
While many of the pros in the field of 40 were baffled by the muddy water and moody bass of High Rock Lake, Kerchal reeled in a five-fish limit all three days of the tournament, giving him a 36-pound, 7-ounce total.
``I really didn't think I was going to get a limit today,'' he told the record weigh-in crowd of more than 22,000 at the Greensboro Coliseum on Saturday.
The first two days he had his limit in the first hour of fishing, but on Saturday it was 9:30 a.m. before he landed a keeper. He considered switching techniques but stuck to the pattern he'd developed in pre-tournament practice and had a limit by 1 p.m.
Kerchal spent the tournament casting a 6-inch, red shad worm to the pilings of boat docks along a couple of creeks that feed the lake.
``The fish seemed to be holding to the docks that were older and had big, round pilings,'' he said. ``There really had to be some brush present.''
The final day was billed as a youth vs. experience showdown at High Rock between Kerchal and 48-year-old Guido Hibdon, winner of 1988 Classic. Hibdon faded Saturday, catching only three bass, and Tom Biffle of Wagoner, Okla., nearly stole the show, coming from 16th spot with a five-fish stringer that weighed 18 pounds, 14 ounces. That put Biffle four ounces behind Kerchal.
``It is every federation angler's dream to do this,'' Kerchal said.
``A lot of the pros are looking over their glasses at him,'' said Ray Scott, founder and president of B.A.S.S.
Some appeared to be doing so with disdain, unhappy that the world champion trophy was in the hands of an amateur.
Asked about that, veteran pro Denny Brauer, who finished third, said, ``You know you are never happy unless you win. I think everyone will come around before it is over, and Bryan will do a fine job and be good for the sport.''
For David Fritts, the hometown favorite, the muddy water of High Rock Lake was like quicksand, marring his opportunity to win even before the tournament began.
After the first two days, he had four bass, which ranked him 34th. But his flock of faithful fans, who hung banners of encouragement on boat docks around the lake, finally had something to cheer about Saturday when he landed a limit catch that placed him 21st.
Virginia's Woo Daves was another victim of the mud bath, finishing in 32nd place.
``The mud came into my area, and the water got messed up,'' he said. ``When that happens, you've got to go look for something new, but you can't go where the guys are doing good.''
That left Kerchal in the winner's spotlight, wearing a blue Wrangler hat, black shorts and a white shirt with enough sponsor patches on it for a mile of highway signs.
``Flipping burgers, that's what you do for a living, isn't it?'' Scott asked him.
``Well ... I don't know,'' said Kerchal, who stated earlier that he would resign his cook's job if he won the $50,000 first-place prize.
It appears he now has other fish to fry.
by CNB