Just Talked to First Day FLW Tour Chevy Open Leader Steve Clapper...

[djkimmel]

Just talked to our very own Steve Clapper a few minutes ago... he was sitting in the boat getting his stuff ready for another day on the big Lake Erie tomorrow trying not to think too much about being the first day leader of the FLW Tour Detroit River Chevy Open!!! 22 pounds!!! Way to go Steve!!!

I just wished him good luck. Said many of us would be rooting for him and hoped things went his way again tomorrow.

The water and the fish are taking a beating from these winds, but it sounds like things get one day to settle just a little.

Check out this good interview on BassFan.com to hear a little about how he went about taking the lead in his first FLW Tour event: http://www.bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=2365

[motocross269]

I don't think I could sleep much if that was me.....I sure would like to be in a position to win like that.  Good luck Steve........

[Slipkey]

Ditto what motocross said. Congrats on the awesome start, Steve!  Wack 'em tomorrow... and the next day... and the next...

[Genie]

Show all those from down south how we do it up here and the tournaments should keep coming back!

[dashaver63]

Nice job Steve!

[blakstr1]

Ditto what motocross said. Congrats on the awesome start, Steve!  Wack 'em tomorrow... and the next day... and the next...

Detroit River is on the '08 schedule for FLW tour as well, that is awesome news!  Can't deny the smallmouth fishing in this area; hopefully BASS will follow suit.

[djkimmel]

Everyone is very enthused and positive about the fishing - many pro's said we have the best of some of the best fishing anywhere (despite the waves). Steve told me to thank everyone here who is watching and sending him good luck wishes. He's looking forward to reporting more back to us. For now, he has some business to take care of.

[rudycard72]

Go get'em Steve.

[yukonjack2]

the weather loks better for tomorrow - I hope you get to the prime spots and put a woopin on those big fish!  Go get em Steve!

[Slipkey]

Just another shout out to Steve to go out wack 'em one more day tomorrow!   

I've never met Steve personally, other than a passing nod at the launch, but after watching both his humor and humility during the weigh-in today on FLW live, the respect I already have for him went a new high. Bring it home tomorrow!

[Cheetam]

...but after watching both his humor and humility during the weigh-in today on FLW live, the respect I already have for him went a new high. Bring it home tomorrow!

I have to second that Slipkey...It's amazing the respect someone can gain by being humble and displaying a little humility (and a little humor goes a long way  ).  Good luck tomorrow Steve...I will be at the weigh in cheering you on...

[djkimmel]

Steve whacked 'em BIG TIME today - over 23 pounds to keep the lead on Day 3 on Lake Erie.

You should have seen the footage of what he was fishing in today!!??!!! Some of us have definitely been there before, but to have to fight those conditions while fishing for $200,000!!! Wow!

I should be getting some great pictures tomorrow and will have some stuff to post over the next week or so that you'll want to see and read.

Here's Steve getting congratulations on another GREAT catch and well wishes from ton of people while sitting in the Chevy Leaders Boat (Kim Stricker is in the background right):

[Cheetam]

Congrats Steve!  Won the tourney by 6+ pounds! 

[Skip Johnson]

wow congrats steve....$200.000 what a week youve had.

[Ryan]

Nice Job Steve with the wire-to-wire!  Way to represent!!

[TCook]

congrats Steve, way to show those southern boys how we do it up here, extreme bassin!! I was thinking about you out on erie saturday with that wind. I was fishing on Muskegon and we wanted to run to White, but when we ventured to the pier heads the 8+ foot rollers turned us right around. Great job, I cant wait to see the show....

Tim

[yukonjack2]

Way to go Steve - Now you can work on the development of that new Ranger 25 footer for days like Sat.  Awesome Job!

[dashaver63]

Way to go Steve! Couldn't have happenned to a nicer more deserving guy! I'm very happy for you and your wife. I was very moved by the way you two celebrated your win on the stage. Thats what it's really all about. Congratulations.

[DDBethke]

Way to go Mr. Clapper!!!

I made the drive to Cobo to hopefully see you win it...and you did!

One Word...Domination!

Duane Bethke

[cameraguy]

This shot is a still taken from the video-taped interview after Steve weighed-in on day two.  Dan got some great information that he will put on this site when he can chisel a few minutes of time from his hectic schedule.  We got some good interviews and candid comments from several pros.  More to come.