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Highlands Today

Plenty Of Reasons To Smile

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

From left, Lake Placid Marine salesman and tournament coordinator Norman Lee presents Ivan Oueda and Edward Parker their check and trophies for winning the 12th annual Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce bass tournament on Sunday at Lake June.

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

Published: March 10, 2009

LAKE PLACID - Being on the lake at first light is a way of life for Ivan Oueda and Edward Parker.

The dynamic duo made getting up early pay off in a big way in Sunday's 12th annual Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce bass tournament on Lake June.

Oueda, who is from Sebring, and Parker, who is from Avon Park, teamed up to win first place in the overall weight category with a combined total of 18.83 pounds and they also took first place in the Big Bass contest with a 10.44-pound catch.

For winning the overall weight category, the local pair received a check for $925 and another check for $250 for catching the biggest bass.

"I don't fish on Lake June that much, but it was worth it today," said Oueda. "It was a great day on the lake and I'm surprised our total held up for the most weight.

"We caught the big bass the first twenty minutes we were out, but we only caught three fish total and I figured some other guys that know this lake well would come in with a bunch of fish."

The one-day tournament attracted a strong field of avid fishermen, many which know the waters of Lake June very well.

"There are a lot of very talented fishermen in this area and they know how to catch a lot of fish," said Oueda. "I knew we had a good, solid fish, but I didn't think it would hold up.

"I used to fish in a lot of tournaments, but now I just fish for fun and winning this tournament was a lot of fun."

For Parker, it was an unexpected windfall of cash.

"This tournament was a lot fun," said Parker. "It was great fishing with Ivan and to finish first was a surprise.

"I'm a recreational fisherman and this was a great way to support a great organization like the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce."

Placing second was the talented duo of Tracy Vaughn and Josh Knight, who received a check for $450, while the husband and wife team of James and Melissa Kowalski finished third and picked up a check for $200.

Josh Haggard and partner Chris Crow came in fourth and took home a check for $125 and Fred Welch and Charlie Welch finished fifth to earn a check for $100.

Norman Lee, who is a salesman at Lake Placid Marine was the tournament coordinator and was pleased with the turnout for the event.

"This is my tenth year doing this event and I always have a blast," said Lee. "The Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce does a great job of promoting our town and I've been here forty-one years and it's a great place to live and raise a family.

"With all the great lakes we have in Highlands County, you couldn't be in a better place for good fishing."

The Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce has been busy of late by putting on the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce 5k run/walk two weeks ago and the fishing tournament on Saturday.

"I'm thrilled with the way the tournament came off," said Eileen May, who is the CEO and President of Operations for the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce. "I want to especially thank Norman Lee, because he is our chairperson every year and we couldn't have the tournament without him.

"It was a great turnout with chamber of commerce weather and everybody had a good time."

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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