CONWAY — In an emotional final round, Matt Lee of Auburn University out fished his kid brother Jordan at Beaverfork Lake on Sunday to earn a berth in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.
Matt, 23, an industrial science major, caught two bass weighing 5 pounds, 6 ounces, while Jordan caught one bass that weighed 2-4. Carhartt, which sponsors the tournament, awarded Matt $5,000 to pay his expenses at the Classic.
“I’m overjoyed,” Matt said, voice breaking. “I know my brother wanted this more than anything, and it sucks we had to go up against each other. I told my camera guy today that if we fished this 10 times, he’d win eight of them. I hate it for him. I’m happy for me. My spot ended up being a little better than Jo’s today, and that’s the bottom line.”
The Lees fished most of the day less than 200 yards from the ramp. Matt fished a deep hump with brush piles Sunday and in Saturday’s semifinals. He used a jigging spoon to great effect, catching a 5-7 largemouth Sunday and one that weighed 4-14 Saturday. Jordan’s spot was a little shallower, and he said that made a big difference, but not as big as the 5-pounder he broke off a few minutes before Sunday’s check-in.
“That cost me, but that’s fishing,” said Jordan, 21, a marketing major. “He had a good deep spot over there. He found it. He won fair and square. I’m not complaining or anything. Just getting here is a blessing, but when you get here, you want to capitalize.”
While he’s thrilled to have won, Matt said that making the Classic was more important to Jordan, who comprised half of Auburn’s national runner-up team last year. Auburn finished second this year, as well.
“Jo’s put in his time,” Matt said. “He’s had his share of close calls. He was here last year. Somebody else from our university, Shane Powell, fished with him. I didn’t make second in the qualifying points to get here. Jo fished again this year, and I was fortunate to fish with him. He’s been there. He’s paid his dues.”
Through last year, the winners of the national championship team automatically fished against each other to make the Classic. BASS changed the format this year to prevent teammates from having to fish against each other for high stakes, but it happened anyway, with brothers.
Bruce Lee, the anglers’ father, said he feels Matt’s elation and Jordan’s disappointment. The family has to keep it all in perspective, he said.
“We’re talking about a tournament where the winner goes to the most prestigious fishing tournament,” Bruce said. “That’s their dream, and maybe one whose dream it is more than the other, and it doesn’t work out for him. But at least they have their health, and we have our family. That’s what’s important.”
BASS will also pay Jordan’s expenses to attend the Classic, where he will appear on television in some capacity, said Hank Weldon, the Bassmaster College Series tournament director.
Sports, Pages 13 on 07/30/2012