Manley Gets First Win At Sweetbriar!

Sometimes, when you're battling nasty, windy, and cold conditions on the water, it's easy to wish for just one perfect day during a tournament. Well, wishes can come true in unexpected ways! Saturday delivered a sunny 90-degree gem with calm winds in mid-July, creating a unique challenge that tested everyone's skills.

Just a couple of days before, under cooler, cloudy skies, the fish were active and impressive in size. Then, as the heat ramped up and the air turned still the day prior, things slowed down noticeably. My take? The bright sun likely nudged them toward spawning, settling them on beds—especially since the ones I hooked earlier were egg-heavy and feeding aggressively.

No matter the cause, it made for an exciting puzzle to solve. Bites were selective, rewarding patience and strategy over sheer volume. Seasoned anglers pulled out all the stops, experimenting with techniques and enjoying the camaraderie under the summer sun. Sweetbrier Lake, with its abundance of quality fish, reminded us why we love the sport—even on quieter days, the high temps and still air added to the adventure. A handful of sharp anglers rose to the occasion, coaxing some solid catches from the depths.

Earning his first Bandit's tournament victory was Curt Manley from Bismarck, who impressively landed the day's only limit. His bag scaled at 6.07 pounds after a minor half-pound adjustment for a dead fish, securing a well-deserved top spot!

Overall, 18 anglers brought in 14 fish totaling 25.14 pounds, with an average of 1.8 pounds each—proof that persistence pays off.

Here are the top three standouts:
Curt Manley: 3 fish, 6.07 pounds
Marty Mantz: 2 fish, 5.76 pounds
Jonathan Campbell: 2 fish, 2.5 pounds

Big Bass bragging rights went to Marty Mantz with a hefty 3.23-pounder.

Looking ahead, join us for the club camping weekend at Audubon and East Park Lake on July 24th and 25th. Swing by the site next week for all the details, weather forecasts, and any updates to keep things smooth.Marty