On the final day, the Riverfront Pavilion area in downtown Natchitoches was filled with spectators. These folks were joined by several hundred folks watching the weigh-in live on Facebook and the nearly one hundred kids and families who were taking part in the Teach a Child to Fish event sponsored by Pond Hopper Nation.

The Cane River Lake Showdown was just that! Both divisions had tight races, but the tightest was the Pro Division where the two top anglers, Pam Martin-Wells of Bainbridge, Georgia and Pam Ridgle of Murchison, Texas were tied in the Angler of the Year Points coming into the final regular season event of 2021. With Cane River Lake being a very shallow body of water, the anglers knew there would be subtle differences that would make or break them. On day one, Pam Ridgle of Murchison, Texas took the lead bringing 15.61 lbs to the scale moving her just shy of four pounds ahead of Pam Martin-Wells. As we all know, a day can make a difference. Both anglers on day two were able to catch fish and bring in limits. In the end, Pam Ridgle was not able to find the kicker fish she needed to seal the win. Pam Martin-Wells fished the same waters as she had the day before but the greatly different results. On both days she began her work in the same area. On day one, here area just did not produce. But on day two, this same area allowed to catch her limit within the first two hours of the day. Her 14.74 bag on day two moved her to the front of the pack surpassing Ridgle. Not only did this give her the win on Cane River, but it also earned her the 2021 Angler of the Year title!

Rounding out the Cane River Lake top five finishers you find Hot Springs Arkansas’ Lynda Gessner, Leslie Anderson of St. Louis Missouri and the 2020 Rookie of the Year DeAnna Lovvorn of Bradyville, TN.

The Rookie of the Year title was earned by Stephanie Hemphill-Pellerin of Village Mills, Texas. This award is earned by the highest angler in her first full year of competing on the LBAA trail and who has the highest point total in the Angler of the Year points race.

In the Co-Angler Division, the race was not as tight, but it was still close. Diana Uebelhack of Otwell, Indiana had a slim lead over two Alabama anglers, Sherry Jacks and Cassie Hall and South Carolina’s Dana Rabon. Co-anglers are in a unique position. They must survive the luck of the draw. No two days are alike and to be successful, you must adapt to things beyond your control. On day one, Diana Uebelhack was sitting in the lead but by a slim margin. Sitting right behind her was Texas angler Brooke Johnson and just behind her was Sibley, Louisiana’s Debbie Oswalt. The biggest charge for the top spot came from Sherry Jacks who brought in the biggest co-angler bag of the event on day two with 8.13 pounds. This surpassed Diana Uebelhack who was unable to find any keepers on day two. Brook Johnson and Cassie Hall were not to be counted out. Both managed decent bags of fish on day two moving them up in the standings. Even with the charge from Sherry Jacks, Brooke Johnson was able to move up and take the win on Cane River Lake with a two-day total of 12.08 lbs. Brooke is the daughter of 2019 Lady Bass Classic Champion Alisa Johnson. This is the only current mother-daughter duo on the tour currently.

Those also fishing who are in the top five are Diana Uebelhack of Otwell, Indiana, Debbie Oswalt of Sibley, Louisiana and Dana Rabon of Conway, South Carolina.

While the anglers and fans were awaiting the official results, spectators were each provided with a ticket. The lucky winners walked away with a brand-new Livingston Lure! Anglers were awarded prizes for the Biggest Bass in each division sponsored by Joey Ridgle’s Septic and Sanitation Services, LLC. In the Pro Division, this award went to Robyn Cook of Raleigh, North Carolina and in the Co-Angler Division the award went to Cassie Hall of Alabaster, Alabama. The Tiny Bass Awards for the tiniest bass brought to the scales in each division sponsored by Vickie’s Threadworks. In the Pro Division, this award went to Rebecca Briley of St. Charles, Louisiana, and in the Co- Division, the award went to Charlotte Frazier of Palestine, Texas. First out of the money in each division received $150 Yo-Zuri gift packs. Toyota Bags were awarded to the second out of the money.

Cane River Lake is a Wildcard Event for the LBAA. Anglers can qualify for the Lady Bass Classic in several ways. First, through the Angler of the Year points race. They must finish in the top 12. Next, the highest finishing anglers in the Wildcard, that are not in the top twelve. Next, is a draw from all the anglers who fished all season long but did not qualify by points are put into a hat and one from each division is drawn and invited to take part in the Lady Bass Classis. Finally, a team from each Federation will participate.

The stage is now set for the 2021 Lady Bass Classic to take place September 16-18 on Lake Logan Martin in Lincoln, Alabama. The Lady Bass Anglers Association will be the inaugural event on the newly built Lincoln’s Landing tournament and park facility. More on that and the final qualifiers will be provided shortly.

If you are interested in sponsoring this Teach a Child To Fish Day event or any event in the future, visit https://www.pondhoppernation.com/sponsor for more information, or contact Pond Hopper Nation directly by phone (214)-930-7515 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Please visit our website at www.ladybassnaglers.com for the full results and to see our Cane River Lake Digital Magazine.

While the anglers and fans were awaiting the official results, spectators were provided with a ticket. Four lucky winners walked away with a brand-new Livingston Lure! Anglers were awarded prizes for the Biggest Bass in each division sponsored by Joey Ridgle’s Septic and Sanitation Services, LLC., and Tiny Bass Awards for the tiniest bass brought to the scales in each division sponsored by Vickie’s Threadworks. First out of the money in each division received $150 Yo-Zuri gift packs. Toyota Bags were awarded to the second out of the money.

Special thanks go to the City of Natchitoches for inviting us and sponsoring this event. Another round of thanks goes to Steve Graff of Hook’n Up and Tracking Down, Kevin of V & M Baits and Tackle Talk Live and Hunter Mullikin for supporting and feed the all the ladies as part of the event. We also want to recognize Nichols and Nicky’s Mexican Food for supporting and donating items toward the event.

We are fortunate to have amazing tour sponsors. Presenting Sponsor Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Supporting Sponsors Joey Ridgle Septic and Sanitation, Livingston Lures and HITEC Outdoors. Promoting sponsors Shipp’s Marine Services and Vickie’s Threadworks. Other sponsors and recognitions go to Yo-Zuri Custom Baits, Lauren’s Legacy, and Toyota Bonus Bucks. We also had multiple gift bags donated to the anglers by RUNCL.

For this and more information, please visit our website, www.ladybassanglers.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and on YouTube!