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Oneal Lake... |
  
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Is it just me, or does fate occasionally slap the arrogant in the face?
When Breaking Ground magazine asked if I would get them a story and some pictures of the eighth annual Bass Bonanza for Anglers with Disabilities at Oneal Lake, I assumed they had heard of my numerous talents. It never occurred to me that I was the only person within a hundred miles of the Hatchie River Wildlife Refuge that they could think of asking. “Sure,” I told them, “I had planned to go and I can think of no one who could do a better job!” I was joking, of course. How was I to know God might hear me and then turn to Mother Nature and say, “You know what to do.” The event began at 7 AM on a cloudy and somewhat chilly day. I was told the anglers had two hours of perfect fishing until I arrived at nine. By the time I got out on the longest pier and began playing with the digital zoom, Mother Nature did her thing. The skies darkened, the wind picked up to 15-20 mph with 30 to 35 mph gusts that made the rain feel like sleet pelting your face. Fortunately I had ample time to get into my cozy van and warm up and dry my camera before the awards presentation. It took some of those anglers with disabilities several minutes to get to shore and shelter. I don’t think it was my fault the photos turned out as bad as the weather. The fishermen couldn’t be still for shivering in the cold. My pictures came out fuzzy. And to top off this less than desirable day an outsider won the big prizes. A polio survivor my the name of Mike Shelton took the biggest fish and most fish trophies back to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. What fool said a bad day fishing is better than a good day doing anything else? Hey, I think I said that the day I was bragging to Breaking Ground. In 1991, when the lake opened to only people with disabilities, a controversy developed. The locals wanted access to the lake and the disability community didn't like the segregation. The solution was easy. Located near Brownsville 3 miles south of I-40 on Hwy 76 from Exit 56, Oneal Lake is now open to all. |
The 8th Annual Bass Bonanza
Sponsors, Beach Lake Marine and Haywood County Bass Clubs, Junior/Senior
The event usually has 25 to 30 boats but due to weather this year only about 20 teams of two (with and without a disability) participated.
The anglers, usually from TN, Ark, KY, Miss, turn in their 5 best fish although they often catch 25 to 30 fish.
1st Place, 12 lbs. of fish, one fish 2.15 lb. Mike Shelton and Kenneth McBride
2nd Jim Harman and al Wilson, 10 lbs.
3rd Gordon DeBerry of Bolivar and Joe Sills
Tim Harman of Brighton won trip to Heber Springs, Chad Quinton
Carrie Church, Memphis, won rod Midsouth Hunting and Fishing Mag
Other Oneal Events
June 11 Junior/Senior Fishing Rodeo, bank only
May 7 Kids Bass Tournament, buddy teams
J-CIL.COM
JCILNOW.NET
ONEAL LAKE PICTURES