Some of the bigger bass in Lake Oconee were biting during the Fallen Outdoors charity fishing tournament on March 25, as each of the top-five teams caught more than 15 pounds of fish.
Organized by Oskar H. Schlomer of The Fallen Outdoors (TFO) and hosted by Mike Tarrer of Georgia Bass Trail, the tournament was based at Sugar Creek Marina near the Putnam/Morgan County line.
Sixty percent of the tournament’s proceeds went to The Fallen Outdoors charity with the remainder going to the anglers.
John Duvall took first place with fish weighing a total of 20.98 pounds.
Jason Long and Kody Nixon finished second with 17.19 pounds of fish, and John Brandon and Daniel Williams rounded out the top three with 15.96 pounds.
Jason Payne finished fourth with 15.43 pounds and with 15.36 pounds, Weston Parker was fifth.
Long and Nixon hauled in the tournament’s big fish with a bass weighing 5.81 pounds.
According to Dorothy Tarrer, who works with her husband Mike on Lake Oconee tournaments, raffle tickets were sold for items such as Bass Pro Shops gift cards, rods, reels, as well as bait.
Similar to Wild Jaeger Veteran Adventures, the purpose of The Fallen Outdoors is “organize outdoor adventures for veterans, past and present, from every generation and from all branches of the military,” according to the organization’s website.
“Our aim is to connect soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines with like-minded individuals, along with teaching them a skill and passion they can continue for a lifetime.”
The Fallen Outdoors began in 2009 at a remote outpost in Afghanistan with three soldiers: Staff Sgt. John Bates with Specialists Eric Finniginamm and Eric Bakken.
Year after year, TFO grew and expanded as the founders put in every extra second they could while on active duty. The Fallen Outdoors now serves thousands of veterans nationwide each year.