Muskogee Native Wins Bassmaster Elite Series Sooner Run

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

MUSKOGEE, OK -- Some of the country's best fishers were casting their lines in Oklahoma waters over the weekend.

For avid anglers, it's never too hot to go fishing, but only one was able to reel in a victory at the Bassmaster Elite Series Sooner Run fishing tournament at Fort Gibson Lake. The tournament was originally set to be held in the Arkansas River but recent flooding and debris in the water had it moved to the lake.

Tommy Biffle won the Sooner Series with a final weight of 73 pounds, 11 ounces and the benefit of a home field advantage. Biffle grew up fishing on Fort Gibson.

The event reeled in an estimated 11,000 fans. Professional bass fishing continues to grow in popularity, and aspiring anglers traveled far to watch their heroes.

"It brings a lot of fans around, you know. There's tremendous support for bass fishing in Oklahoma, so it's just been a great deal," said one Oklahoman who attended the event.

It's those type of fans Muskogee hoped to attract when it first made the pitch to bring the Bassmaster series there.

"Been everything we envisioned it would be. We started planning two years ago, and more. It really made all of our dreams come true," said Sue Harris with the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce.

And it made for quite a homecoming for Biffle.

"A lot of motivation… I wasn't going to settle for second. I would have been ill if I ended up second. One thing to do and that it is to win," said the Sooner Series winner.

6/18/2010  Related Story: Wagoner Man Leading Bassmasters Tournament