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Ashley Arrives Rookie pro claims first victory at Blue Ridge Brawl |
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Final standings MONETA, Va. — Casey Ashley sat backstage as Sunday's weigh-in cranked up, playing it as cool as he could under the circumstances.
The 23-year-old rookie Elite Series angler was on the verge of a giant career leap — maybe. He carried a 4 ½-pound lead into the final day of the Blue Ridge Brawl presented by Advance Auto Parts, the sixth event of his rookie season. But he had only four fish in his bag, one short of a limit.
Would it be enough? He'd have to wait, being the last angler to weigh in.
He looked around at the other finalists: Boyd Duckett and Takahiro Omori, both Bassmaster Classic champions; Dean Rojas, a former BASS record holder; Skeet Reese, the current Angler of the Year points leader; and Dave Wolak, the 2005 Rookie of the Year among the backstage crew.
"Look around," Ashley said. "I feel awesome, no matter if I win or lose. Why wouldn't I feel great? I'm sitting back here with the best fishermen in the world." Read More
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