The Umpqua Valley Bassmasters, a storied bass fishing club based in Douglas County, Oregon, launched their 2025 season with a gritty tournament on Tenmile Lake. Founded in May 1976, this family-oriented group has spent nearly five decades perfecting their craft and partnering with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on conservation and fishing projects. Their season opener on April 6, 2025, set the stage for a year of competition, camaraderie, and some impressive catches.
Tenmile Lake: A Coastal Gem
Nestled near Lakeside, Oregon, just below the Umpqua River, Tenmile Lake is a standout on the southern Oregon Coast. This isn’t just one lake but a two-lake system—North Tenmile and South Tenmile—linked by a half-mile canal that boats can navigate. Covering about 2,000 acres, it ranks among Oregon’s largest freshwater lakes, boasting over 170 miles of shoreline. Its jagged, tree-like layout is a maze of coves and inlets, making it a paradise for anglers and a challenge for competitors. Located 8 miles south of Reedsport and a half-mile east of U.S. Route 101, it’s a stone’s throw from the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where coastal sands meet lush forest.
A Tough Day on the Water
The tournament was a grind from the start. Only 32 bass were weighed in across all teams, with just five managing a full five-fish limit. Nine teams—nearly half the field—walked away with nothing to show for their efforts. Even Chris Poague, the 2024 Umpqua Valley Bassmaster Angler of the Year, couldn’t crack the code this time, leaving the weigh-in empty-handed. The conditions tested everyone, but a few anglers rose above the challenge.
The highlight of the day? A jaw-dropping 5.42-pound bass hauled in by Dillon Boresek and Connor Hansen. That monster turned heads and hinted at the drama to come.
Top 5 Standings
Here’s how the leaderboard shook out:
Fifth Place: Shawn Smalley and Chris Parks brought a respectable five-fish limit to the scales, totaling 11.11 pounds. A solid start to the season.
Fourth Place: Ron Six and Luke VanNorman edged out fifth by a hair with 11.28 pounds, proving every ounce counts.
Third Place: Clint Messner and Eric Wilson had a breakout day, weighing in 13.93 pounds. Their haul included a 4.08-pound Tenmile brute that secured their podium spot. Clint’s climbing the ranks after a fifth-place finish in 2024 with a different partner.
Second Place: Dawson Gillespie, fishing solo, dominated with 14.66 pounds. Going it alone and still nearly taking the top spot? That’s a statement.
First Place: Dillon Boresek and Connor Hansen crushed it with 16.52 pounds, capped by their 5.42-pound beast. A double victory—big bass and the win.
The Winning Strategy
Dillon Boresek shared the story behind their triumph: “That Saturday, the Umpqua club was at Tenmile. My co-angler and I were planning to pre-fish for the federation event on the 29th, but when we heard about the tournament, we jumped in. We had low expectations—just wanted to scout new spots. We caught one fish in the first 10 minutes, then nothing until 11. After landing our second, we switched lakes. With 30 minutes left, we caught three fish in four minutes.”
Their approach was simple but effective: “The water was clearer on the other lake, so we grabbed a spinnerbait and chatterbait to cover ground. We were still in scouting mode for the federation event. With clean water, we went with a natural spinnerbait and an oddball chatterbait just to test things—and both worked. The key was moving water. After those three, we left 10+ fish in that spot to save it for later. They were schooled up, and that made the difference.”
Dillon’s mindset was refreshingly laid-back: “In other events, I set high goals. Here, we just wanted to have fun, learn the lake, and try new spots. That took the pressure off.”
Side Notes and Surprises
Dan Kuntz, last year’s Tenmile champ and one of only two teams to hit a five-fish limit in 2024, slipped to sixth this time. Still in the mix, but not the repeat he’d hoped for. Meanwhile, Dawson Gillespie’s solo second-place finish and Clint Messner’s podium climb signal a competitive season ahead.
Looking Ahead
The Tenmile Lake opener was a tale of tough fishing, big moments, and a few standout bass. As the sun set over the lake’s sprawling shoreline, the Umpqua Valley Bassmasters closed out a challenging but thrilling start to 2025. Who’s your pick to dominate this season? Let us know!
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