Arkansas Pro Stephen Browning Wins Bassmaster Central Open on Red River

It's got to be the greatest feeling in the world to go from zero to hero.  Worst to first.  Well, actually in Stephen Browning's case, it wasn't worst, but that's where he stood at the beginning of competition on Day 3 of the Bassmaster Central Open on Red River.With only the Top 12 finishers from the first two day's competition, Browning was sitting in 12th place.  Tickled to make the cut, he still knew he had a lot of work ahead of him.  At the end of the day and after a long boat run to a new location and the return to his original spot, Browning's efforts were rewarded as he stood in the winner's circle with 40.10 pounds of fish which was nearly a 2 pounds more than second place.

Oh, and there was the cash and prizes he won too.  $47,979 to be exact.  Not too shabby for 3 day's work.

The real story for us locally was Ernest Smoak of Keatchie, Louisiana who won the Co-Angler or non-professional division with 23.10 pounds of fish.  Smoak lead the co-angler division from wire to wire and earned a total of $25,250 cash and prizes.

Other local anglers in the money included Peter Daniels of Blanchard who finished 10th place with 33.4 pounds and earnings of $4,363.  Additionally, David Sherrer of Elm Grove, Louisiana caught the largest bass of the tournament weighing 8-1 and finished 35th overall and earned $2,869.

For a complete listing of all finishers, go to Bassmaster.com