The sun, rising slowly over the horizon on the Saint Peter’s Church Road branch of the Randleman Reservoir, looked like a big old golden, crusty piece of fried chicken just pulled out of boiling oil. You could almost hear the sharp crackle fade into a slow hiss as it cooled down.

But nothing about this day would cool down, as the Archdale Bass Club fished their second scheduled tournament July 24.

Due to the string of dangerously hot days, the club voted to shorten their venture an hour and a half. Even so, more than one club member was feeling it by the end of competition time, with two members leaving the lake early. The heat may have taken a toll on fishermen, but fish care was excellent. Weights were understandably low but, with the accommodation of Randleman’s helpful staff, everyone weighed and released their catch alive.

Lucas Hutchins weighed the only five-fish limit for a total of 9.86 pounds. Second was Freddie House with three fish weighing 5.63 pounds. Bill Frazier finished third with two fish for 5.38 pounds.

No hints came out of young Mr. Hutchins, but we saw him hanging around main lake points and bends off and on through the day. Second and third places fished within sight of one another early, but it appeared the lures and features fished were very different. Our fish were taken on open water features with micro jigs.

Honorable mention goes to visiting youth angler Alex Randall, 14. Alex is one of a few young men that wanted to try their hand at full-blown tournament angling this year. Sunscreen-soaked Alex toughed it out with the big boys in the club, sacking two fish with a total of 5.19 pounds. His first fish ever on a jig included his biggest bass yet, at 3.32 pounds. Although he cannot compete in the adult ranks until he’s 16, his weight placed him in overall fourth place in the tournament standings. Considering the conditions, that should at least earn him some bragging rights — and a very big grin.

With four club tournaments left in the year, the standings shake out like this: the top total weight category is lead by Jamie Denison with 47.87 pounds, with our most experienced angler, Clayton Proctor, nipping at his fins with 47.18 pounds. Third place is steady Ed Brady at 46.73 pounds, with Bill Frazier, Brian Sorrell and Famous James Lewis in the fourth through sixth slots.

Total points are headed up by Steve Gunter, followed by his dad, Sam. Yours truly is in third place with Clayton and James in fourth and fifth. Ed Brady holds down the sixth position. All are within easy striking distance of moving up with some very respectable fishing opportunities this fall, on the far side of this unfavorable heat wave.

It’s particularly worth pointing out that four of the top six positions in both categories are held by guys fishing out of the same boat. Steve and Sam are fishing partners, as are James and Clayton. Being able to consistently find fish and share them with the other guy in your boat speaks volumes about the courtesy and commitment to our club motto of “friends, fellowship and fishing.”

The next club tournament will be Aug. 7, at High Rock Lake out of the Southmont ramp. Starting time is at 6 a.m., but the club did not want to set the weigh-in time with no end in sight to this heat wave.

Albeit a bit balmy, we’ll see you on the water.

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