Craig Daily Press

Bill Butero sits comfortably at the bow of his boat.

His fishing pole is etched into his right palm as his left slowly turns the reel.

The tip of his rod wiggles up and down as he gently pulls his lure of choice across the rocky bottom of Elkhead Reservoir.

And right about the time the sun creeps over Bear Ear’s Mountain, Butero’s line goes taut.

His rod bends seemingly farther than the rules of physics could allow as he jumps from his cozy morning seat.

Snapped into action, Butero is all over it.

A quick flick of his right wrist and it’s hooked.

A hip turn to the left, then the right, follows as he makes sure his prize firmly is hooked.

A few seconds — and many child-on-the-morning-of-Christmas smiles — later, Butero has netted a big one.

More than 18 inches and nearly three pounds, Butero’s smallmouth bass is a great way to start the day.

Especially on tournament day.

“That one’s a keeper,” he says with a grin wider than his cheeks can seem to hold. “That’s a pretty big fish. What a great way to start.”

Butero was one of the 15 anglers who participated Saturday and Sunday in the final regular season event for the American Bass Anglers — Division 92, at Elkhead Reservoir.

But, unfortunately for the men of the local ABA, Elkhead didn’t play nice.

The Reservoir — built to keep water in — wouldn’t let any bass out.

“We had a tough weekend,” Steve Drake, ABA District 92 tournament director said. “We got a lot of pike, but unfortunately, it’s bass we’re after.”

Three anglers came up empty Saturday, and another seven were blanked Sunday.

Not good with the postseason a few weeks away.

Points were at a premium throughout the weekend, especially when considering the tight race at the top of the standings for the D92 Angler of the Year award.

Despite the stinginess provided by the home lake, there were some moves made in the ranks.

Craig resident Alex Medrano Sr. pretty much solidified his hold on the No. 1 spot and the Angler of the Year award that comes along with it.

Medrano entered the event Saturday with a slim six-point lead over Chris Baker.

The points earned are on a descending scale beginning at 200 depending on the number of entrants, so Baker needed to finish at least three positions higher than Medrano Sr. on Saturday and Sunday just to tie.

But, Medrano Sr. is sitting in first for a reason.

Frustrated Saturday morning, Medrano Sr. rebounded to finish third (6.55 pounds) with 193 points, while Baker’s ninth-place finish (1.61 pounds) earned him 187.

Just like that, Medrano’s lead was 12.

Baker hauled in only 2.92 pounds of bass at the scales Sunday, but because Elkhead was keeping her fish from everybody else, too, the total was good enough for second place.

Second to … Medrano Sr.

Medrano Sr.’s haul of 3.13 pounds earned him first and the 193 points that came along with it.

With the District 92 two-day championship beginning in two weeks, the only way Medrano Sr. doesn’t hoist the Angler of the Year trophy is if he blanks.

“For a guy that’s that good of a bass fisherman to get blanked, it’s impossible,” Drake said. “It’s pretty much a two-way battle now between Alex and himself.”

No. 8 Bob LeBleu closed the gap on No. 7 Rod Thurgood with a solid weekend performance.

Thurgood, sitting in the final award spot for District 92 when the championship is over, held a 162-point lead Saturday morning.

By the time Sunday afternoon had arrived, LeBleu — aided by his first “Big Bass” award — was now trailing by 20.

Don Eriksen and his son, Seth, leapfrogged Jesse At­­wood, the father-son combo moved from 10th and 12th, re­­spectively, to ninth and 10th.

Alex Medrano Jr. made the biggest individual move during the weekend.

His smallmouth bass weighing 2.89 pounds earned him his first “Big Bass” award, as well as helped to vault him three spots from 14th to 11th.

The winter is in the near future for the ABA’s dedicated fisherman, a season frowned upon by men who spend their spare time in boats.

“I’m sad the season’s going to be over,” Drake said. “It’s going to be a long winter before we get to fish again.”

But first, there’s one last weekend to catch fish.

“There’s just something about” fishing, Drake said. “It’s a good way to just get away mind-wise. Most of us have done it our whole lives. It’s what we do.

“We fish.”

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com