H ISTORY OF U.S. O PEN A
STORIED CHAMPS
The U.S. Open on Lake Mead was the first to give away $50,000 for a win. The event has stood the test of time and is firmly established among the upper echelon of “major” bass fishing events, primarily because of the challenge it presents. Two-time U.S. Open champ Rick Clunn calls the tournament the “toughest test in bass fishing.” The honor roll of champions follows.
By Bill Hutcheson
“ HOT ” TALE of CLOSE CALLS
1981 The 120-degree heat of Lake Mead greeted the 161 pro anglers who attended the in- augural U.S. Open event. Af- ter four days of fishing, Greg Hines had weighed 49.71 pounds to become the first U.S. Open Champion. Hines led wire to wire and took the bulk of his fish on Zara Spooks for a $53,000 purse.
1982 The 1982 U.S. Open saw 24-year-old Rich Tauber of Woodland Hills, CA edge out Guido Hibdon of Missouri by a mere .35 of a pound to become the second U.S. Open Champion. Tauber also used Spooks for his big bucks.
1983 Rick Clunn was no stranger to the U.S. Open, having placed 11th in the 1982 contest. Spinner- baits and a run up to the Grand Canyon with Cliff Craft gave Clunn his first victory,$50,000 cash and a special U.S. Open belt buckle courtesy of Ranger Boats.
1984 In 1984, the U.S. Open was the first under the name U.S. BASS. A rela- tive newcomer to the tournament scene was crowned champion, 33- year old Jeff Munson. He beat out second place angler Jimmy Atkinson by .46 pounds to grab the coveted $50,000 top prize.
1985 The 1985 U.S. Open found 126 Pro fishermen con- verging at Mead in the dead of the summer. The fi- nal day of the tournament was tense for Mike Folkestad, though, as he only managed to bring 3 fish up on stage. Gary Klein looked as though he was positioned to win when he brought a limit to the scales. Klein fell just 33/100ths short with 31.40 pounds total, giving Folkestad his first U.S. Open victory and the $50,000 top prize.
1986 In 1986, Rick Clunn of Montgomery, TX en- dured the heat to be- come the first two-time U.S. Open champion by posting a 4-day total weight of 33.61. Clunn pretty well blew away the field, finishing 7.22 pounds ahead of second place angler and Lake Mead favorite John Mur- ray, an emerging Arizona angler. Clunn took home $50,000 for his work in the 1986 U.S. Open.
1987 The week of monsoon- like weather that preced- ed the 1987 U.S. Open settled down just in time for the tournament. The downside though was dead still air and 115 de- gree heat. Larry Hopper fished deep structure to become the seventh U.S. Open Champion, bring- ing a total weight of 23.65 pounds to the scales over the course of four days and clinching the $50,000 top prize.
1988 The eighth running of the U.S. Open was the fi- nal event under the U.S. Bass banner. Tough fish- ing played into Gary Kleins hand. He used 4- inch doodle worms in 40 to 50 feet of water to beat out the next closest contestant by over 4 pounds to add his name to the list of U.S. Open champions and the back of a $50,000 check.
56 SILVER EAGLES _ July 2011