Sisters woman is a bass ace

Up this morning

Before the sun

Fixed me some coffee and a honey bun

Jumped in my pickup

gave her the gas

I'm goin' out to catch a five-pound bass

- Robert Earl Keen

Sheila Brand knows all about what it takes to catch a five-pound bass. She's an ace bass angler, and folks in Central Oregon know it. Sheila was named Female Bass Angler of the Year for 2015 by the Central Oregon Bass Club.

Bass anglers earn such honors in competitions that compile points based on the weight of fish caught (they are later released). Sheila is one of five women in the club of 30 members. She placed eighth in the overall standings.

Sheila shares her passion for bass fishing with her husband Wyatt.

"My husband has been great as a teacher," she said. "I basically owe it all to him as far as my success this year."

Bass fishing is all about technique. Some anglers keep mum about their tackle, but not Sheila - she's happy to tell you she has mastered the Green Pumpkin Senko. Because in bass-fishing, it's not so much the tackle you use - it's how skilled you are at using it.

Bass-fishing requires finesse, patience, and good feel. That's especially true in night tournaments, which turned out to be Sheila's favorites this

year.

"Your sight's gone and you're basically going by feel - which is what bass-fishing is; by feel."

Sheila's biggest tournament catch this year was a 4.5-pounder.

"My biggest bass I've ever caught was a 5.5-pounder," she said.

Her husband landed a 7.4-pounder this year.

The club stages eight or nine tournaments each year. Anglers are scored on the point total for their best six tournaments. Sheila took top honors in her and Wyatt's first full year with the club.

The Brands enjoy the camaraderie and the competition (including competing with each other). There's a lot of strategy involved in successful bass-fishing, and they love the challenge.

It's a passion Sheila would love to share. She notes that the club meets the first Tuesday of every month at Abby's Pizza in Redmond at 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome to come and check out the club and its activities.

"I'd love to see more women out there," Shiela said. "Husbands - bring your wives out!"

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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