Red Green Smallmouth Bass Tournament
Tournament fishing for smallmouth bass on Nova Scotia’s South Shore really took off in 1998 with the introduction of the South Shore Bassmasters organization, which has held numerous tournaments each year since that time. My brother, Dennis Lavender, as well as Kevin Veinot and others got that club started. I fished some that first year and have been a member since 1999. But before that, perhaps the earliest smallmouth bass tournament on the South Shore happened on August 1st, 1993, at Ten Mile Lake. The Red Green Smallmouth Bass Tournament was organized by Dennis and myself, and put on with the help of many family and friends. This catch-and release tournament was also for family and friends, and we had a good turnout that day. The fishing was better for some than others, but everyone had a nice time. First, second and third place trophies were handed out for on-the-water and onshore categories, as well as a trophy for the largest oddball fish. The day ended with a delicious potluck picnic in the provincial park alongside Ten Mile Lake, to which everyone contributed. It was a wonderful get-together, and a great start to my experience with tournament fishing.