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Yelas Checks In

Category: article

 Apr 10th, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Apr 10th, 2013 at 12:00 AM

FLW Tour pro Jay Yelas had been recharging his batteries since his last event on Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama where he finished 18th. After two events, he is sitting in the number eight spot in the Angler of the Year standings. With four events left there is still plenty of time for him to make a run for the top spot.

	Jay Yelas

Thankfully I had an opportunity to take some time to recharge prior to this week’s FLW event on Beaver Lake in Arkansas.

“Even though I sure would like to see more pro events to fish, I sure have taken advantage of a little time off after the first two FLW tournaments,” said Yelas. “Mid-January through March is the busiest time of the year for me. I had a period of two months straight where I was not home on the weekends.

“After the last event, I’ve been at home in Oregon. I have been able to watch my girls play on their high school softball team. I help with some of the grounds keeping for softball. I really like watching them playing ball.

“I’ve also done a little fishing around here for steelhead. Plus, I did some bass fishing on some of the sloughs off the Willamette River with a friend.

“In addition to all of that, I’ve had time to work with Punisher on my new Jay’s Jig and done some field testing with the new Lew’s spinning reel that is coming out at ICAST. It’s been a good time, but I am ready to get back to competitive fishing.”

Beaver Lake is next for the FLW Tour that starts Thursday. Yelas has not grown tired of the annual FLW pilgrimage.

“Some of the anglers are tired of going to Beaver Lake every year, but I am not,” said Yelas. “Beaver is a tough lake, but the fishery is getting better. Still, a 12-to 14-pound limit is good for the lake. I like these types of fisheries better for tournaments than lakes where it is a slugfest.

“I’ve had a decent start sitting in 8th for Angler of the Year right now. I’m pretty happy with it. I’ve not had a good event yet, but I’ve also not had a bad one either.

“For me, Beaver Lake has been good over the years. I’ve had three Top 10 finishes here with several other finishes that have been good. If all goes well, I still have high hopes for having one of my better years.”