WAPPAPELLO LAKE - It may be the dog days of summer, but it was still a great weekend for crappie fishing this weekend, thanks to the first-ever Ben Kruse Charity Crappie Tournament.

The tournament was held Saturday, Sept. 10 at Wappapello Lake. Organizers Dain Bess and Bruce Christian planned a first-class tournament with a total of 40 two man/boat teams. 

All proceeds from the tournament went to 18 Fore Life in helping area families fight cancer.

Helpers for the event included Billy and Beth Fowler, Darin and Peggy Ridgers, Brandon and Betsy Jines, Brett and Charla Carrier, Marty and Rita Poetz, Pam Kruse, Jane Kingree, Reed Brotherton, Dallas Burchanon and Doug Cox and the Cooking Crew, Neil Holman, Gary and Donna VanMatre and Paul Liege.

Winners for the tournament include:

• 1st  - David Tropf and Edwin Younger  of Advance: Weight  - 10.14 lbs.; Big Fish 1.70 lbs.  
• 2nd - Ryan Duley and Lynn McMullin  of Dexter and Bloomfield;  8.53 lbs. and  1.66 lbs.    
• 3rd - Terry Joseph and Jeff Wilcox of Wappapello and Bloomfield;  8.53 lbs. and 1.36 lbs.
• 4th - Kenny Parris and Paul Lawrence of Dexter; 8.44 lbs. and 1.39 lbs.
• 5th - Brad Botsch and Danny Walker of Bernie; 8.33 lbs. and 1.41 lbs.
• 6th - Dan Gentz and Steven Gentz of St. Louis; 8.31 lbs. and 1.65 lbs,
• 7th - Tom Frazier and Rat Walker of Dexter and Wappapello; 8.27 lbs. and 1.40 lbs.
• 8th - Lance Sanders and Josh McMullin of Essex; 8.18 lbs.
• 9th - Allen Chappell and Jason Sandage of Bloomfield; 8.14 lbs. and 1.54 lbs.
• 10th - Bruce Christian and Amy Christian of Dexter;  8.14 lbs. and 1.31 lbs.
• 11th - Brett Roper and Allen Below of Dexter; 8.07 lbs. and 1.48 lbs.
• 12th - Gale Humphrey and Randy Humphrey  of Bloomfield and Dexter; 7.95 lbs. and 1.43 lbs.

The organizers are already looking forward to the 2012 event, where friends will again gather for a good time, and to raise money for a very worthy local cause.

“We are already gearing up for 2012," said Bruce Christian. “And next years' tournament will also be in September.”