A Rookies View from the Sidelines of The West Coast Premier Professional Bass Tournament

Lake Almanor stretched out before me, a mirror reflecting the scenic beauty of Plumas County. Picture perfect, except for the knot of anxiety twisting in my gut. For three days, I was glued to the sidelines, a world away from my usual beat, discovering new trails for Sierra Rec Magazine readers with Plumas County Tourism. Here, I was surrounded by the ruthless efficiency of the pros on the New Bam Trail, their bass boats cutting through the glassy surface like sharks on a feeding frenzy.

 

My four-day journey was a far cry from the intense competition on the lake. I spent a leisurely afternoon at the Lake Almanor Country Club, enjoying a fun (if humbling) nine-hole game of mountain golf. I also had the chance to immerse myself in the natural beauty of Lassen Volcanic National Park, embarking on a peaceful seven-mile hike around Butte Lake to Widow Lake. The local festival life in Chester at the Maidu Big Time Logging Jamboree was a vibrant and lively experience. Still the world of bass fishing at this level was a thrilling and intimidating new adventure for me, and I couldn’t help but be captivated by it.

 

The Bam Trail Tour Experience

The crisp mountain air of Plumas County invigorated me as I embarked on my media adventure, following the thrilling twists and turns of the BAM Pro Tour at Lake Almanor. Unlike the seasoned pros battling it out for the coveted trophy, I was a wide-eyed newcomer, eager to soak up the atmosphere and witness the strategies unfold.

The first day was a baptism by crankbait. The pre-dawn launch was a spectacle – the American flag rippling in the breeze, the national anthem echoing across the glassy water, and thirty bass boats roaring to life; their occupants laser-focused on outsmarting the lake’s cunning bass.

Intrigue swirled as I chatted with the anglers on the shore. The initial reports were disheartening—mostly undersized fish and a sense of frustration. Even local fishing expert Mark Pilgrim, who knew these waters like the back of his hand, seemed to be struggling, according to the tournament’s online tracking app. The 31-day rule, barring pre-tournament lake access, had thrown a curveball at everyone.

As the day wore on, the picture became clearer. The online leaderboard confirmed a slow start – just a handful of anglers managing a decent catch. But seasoned veterans like Ish Monroe and Zack Thompson hinted at a potential shift. Lake Almanor, they explained, was known for its mood swings. The afternoon sun and shifting winds might be the catalyst for a feeding frenzy.

My curiosity piqued! I joined the Bass Anglers Magazine media team for a taste of the weigh-in to better understand how these events unfold—the initial trickle of boats returning transformed into a steady stream. The afternoon bite had materialized, and the anglers’ faces reflected a mix of relief and determination. The leaderboard started to take shape – familiar names like Monroe and Thompson climbing the ranks. Pilgrim, despite a slow start finished with strong showing, clinging to 3rd place on day one, while recent champion Colby Pearson remained just outside the top five.

 

Day Two on the Bam Trail

Day two was a masterclass in adaptation. Armed with the lessons learned from the previous day, the anglers meticulously fine-tuned their approaches. Ish Monroe, the surprise leader in Keeper Count from day one, dug into his bag of legacy lures to continue his strong showing at Lake Almanor.

“It’s early to mid-spawn here; it’s the right time of the year for me,” said Monroe. “I’m catching all of my fish in 10 feet or less on the Missile Baits Drop Craw, Bomb Shot and Ned Bomb.” ~ Ish Monroe in Bass Angler Magazine

Pilgrim, meanwhile, stuck to his guns, focusing on the west side with a morning topwater strategy and a shift to white tubes in the afternoon.

“I’m targeting those bigger fish in the morning before the sun comes up, and then I’m chasing some bed fish in the early afternoon,” he stated.

The weigh-in on day two was electric. The crowd roared as each angler presented their catch. Pilgrim rebounded from day one to show a dominating bag at 15.91 lbs, giving him the lead after day two on Lake Almanor. Monroe, a well-respected legend in the group, remained a close second, his trusty crankbait and the mysterious “no-longer-made” lure keeping him in contention. The top ten, a mix of rising stars and established veterans promised an epic final day. Several Professionals in the top 10 have Sierra roots, Luke Johns from Folsom and Hayden Lee from Angels Camp secured spots in the top 10. Tomorrow the score rest set to Zero, its anyone’s game..

 

One Great Day of Fishing For All The Marbles

Day three was a nail-biter. The tension crackled as the boats launched under a clear blue sky and icy smooth lake top. The scoreboard was again blank, as the Champion for the tournament would all come down to one final day: the best five fish win. Every cast, every hookset, was a potential game-changer. Pearson, ever the opportunist, capitalized on the early morning light, culling his catch with finesse baits. With his signature never-say-die attitude, Monroe continued to grind, hoping to bridge the gap. Local leader Mark Pilgrim danced around the lake to his favorite locations, hoping his local magic would be the charm. An early morning earthquake at the lake had everyone wondering how it might affect the fishing. From the media boat, we followed multiple professionals, all with different tactics and results throughout the morning.

 

The final weigh-in was a culmination of three days of sweat, strategy, and unwavering determination. A hush fell over the crowd as the last bag was hoisted onto the scale. That bag, Mark Pilgrims, was saved to add to the drama of this made-for-TV event. on the leaderboard, Ish Monroe had already posted a 16lb bag, edged slightly by Colby Pearson with his 16.52 bag and current leader. Then, the announcement: Colby Pearson, the young gun from Oregon, had defended his title with a dominant final-day performance. Mark Pilgrim came in at 15.29, good enough for fourth place at Lake Almanor.

A Champion Crowned

 

The crowd erupted in cheers, a mixture of awe for Pearson’s consistency and admiration for the valiant efforts of the other top contenders. Monroe, the crafty vet, finished a close second, followed by a string of skilled professionals like Thompson and Pilgrim, Boomer and Lee.

Pearson tearing up a bit as he dedicated the victory to a close friend and fishing buddy who had recently passed. Feeling his presence all weekend long Pearson’s determination to concur Almanor was evident even in victory.

The BAM Pro Tour at Lake Almanor had been a revelation. It wasn’t just about the fierce competition; it was about the camaraderie amongst the anglers, respect for the lake’s unpredictable nature, and unwavering pursuit of that trophy bass. They loved being on Lake Almanor, and they were over the top gracious about the hospitality that Lake Almanor, Chester and Plumas County had offered them and their families.

As I left the shores of Lake Almanor, the image of Pearson hoisting the trophy lingered, a testament to his skill and the captivating drama that unfolded over those three exhilarating days. I watched as families gathered together on the beaches, sharing hugs, stories and respectful handshakes of friendly competition. This expensive sport creates a unique feeling of suffering, joy and admiration within its community. They love what they do, but they also need to do it well. On this weekend in Northern California, they came together with family and friends and faced down a moody Lake Almanor-like professionals. Leaving with respect, a hopeful return in their hearts but an eye towards the next event in the Columbia Gorge of Oregon. July 26-28 – Oregon – Boardman – Boardman have big shoes to fill after the love affair that Lake Almanor Community displayed at this past weeks event. 

More on the Bam Trail Tour

The inaugural Northern California leg of the BAM Trail concluded at Lake Almanor, leaving a wake of excitement and a promise of more to come. Tournament director Michael Bray and Bass Anglers Magazine’s Mark Lassagne are already setting their sights on a potential championship return to Almanor in 2025.

“Engaging with the Lake Almanor community was a welcoming experience that allowed for immense development. Our team and anglers grew in professionalism, the area was highlighted as an outdoorsman’s paradise, and the mutually beneficial relationship was formed with expectations to progress forward.” ~ Michael Bray – Director of the Bam Trail Professional tour.

As the dust settles on this event, the BAM team, a well-oiled machine under Lassagne and Bray’s leadership, disperses with one constant – fishing rods firmly in hand. While the next Pro Circuit event awaits in Oregon come July, the calendar is packed with qualifiers and independent tournaments before the BAM Trail makes its grand California finale later this year at Lake Oroville and the Delta for the series championships. The future of professional bass fishing in the West seems bright, fueled by the BAM Trail’s innovative format and the unwavering dedication of its team.