/// 2019 FLW cUP
CUP REFLECTIONS
SURPRISES AND LESSONS LEARNED AT LAKE HAMILTON
The FLW Cup doesn’t always play out as many would expect, but that’s what makes it such an exciting
championship tournament. In this case, many did expect Bryan Thrift to claim his first Cup victory, but the how
and where of it still surprised fans in a number of ways. The same FLW experts who weighed in with Cup
predictions are back for some reflections on a tournament that saw Thrift cement his legacy and would-be heroes
come up just short on the waters of Lake Hamilton.
Peter Thliveros Todd Hollowell Joe opager Justin onslow curtis Niedermier
What Surprised me
The biggest surprise to
me was the amount of
sight-fish in the upper end
of the reservoir. I think
those fish were a surprise
to everyone and that they
became a factor in the
event. What Surprised me
I’m surprised that docks
didn’t play more in the
event. With it being a late-
summer event, a lot of peo-
ple were expecting docks to
play a much bigger role at
Hamilton. What Surprised me
Polaris pro David
Dudley’s tough day two.
The reigning Angler of the
Year and former FLW Cup
champion weighed in a
respectable limit on day
one, but his day two didn’t
exactly go according to
plan. I guarantee Dudley
would have much rather
ended his season out on
the water on Championship
Sunday instead of following
along at the FLW Expo with
everyone else. What Surprised me
Overcast conditions on
days one and two really
put a dent in a lot of
anglers’ plans. So many
pros were relying on the
brush pile bite, and cloudy
skies put a significant
damper on it. Still, I was
expecting more anglers to
make a quick adjustment
when the sun failed to
poke through very much
on those first couple days. What Surprised me
I had no idea Hamilton
had so much grass. It’s all
over the upper end. I’m
really surprised that some-
one like Buddy Gross didn’t
make the top 10 by fishing
offshore in the green stuff.
FLW Live host and former
Tour pro
What Didn’t
I wasn’t surprised at
the eventual outcome.
Thrift is the consummate
professional and had the
right game plan for the
tournament. Before the
tournament I said it could
be won on a combination
of shallow and deep pat-
terns with brush piles also
playing a role. That’s how
he won.
Biggest Takeaway
The biggest takeaway is
that it was Bryan’s turn to
make someone else be the
bridesmaid and take his
place in history. I’m sure it
won’t be the last time we
see him there.
FLW Live host and former
Tour pro
What Didn’t
I’m not surprised Thrift
won his first Cup at
Hamilton. In fact, I predict-
ed it earlier in the year in
this very magazine. In his
interview after day one, we
heard Thrift say that
Hamilton reminded him a
lot of Norman. At the last
Tour event at Norman (in
2016), I was leading that
event on the final day until
Thrift weighed in and went
on to win. When I heard the
word “Norman,” I knew
Thrift would likely take
home the Cup.
Biggest Takeaway
These guys are so
good. Someone always fig-
ures something out that’s a
little off the beaten path.
I’m shocked at the success
some anglers had way up
the Ouachita River, focus-
ing on the cooler water.
With how good the field is
nowadays, you can never
rule out any part of any
fishery for a win.
FALL 2019 I FLWFISHING.com
FLW Director of Public
Relations
What Didn’t
The success of former
FLW College Fishing anglers
in this event. The last two
FLW Cup champions (Justin
Atkins and Clent Davis)
were both former College
Fishing anglers, and Dakota
Ebare (second), Austin Felix
(sixth) and Ryan Salzman
(eighth) all had fantastic
showings in this year’s
event.
Biggest Takeaway
The 2019 FLW Cup will
go down in history as “The
Bryan Thrift Cup.” Every
fishing fan in the world
knew it was just a matter of
time as to when (and not if)
Thrift would hoist the FLW
Cup, and it just so hap-
pened it was his time this
year on Lake Hamilton.
FLW Associate Editor
What Didn’t
Bryan Thrift winning it
all. No, I didn’t pick Thrift to
win prior to the Cup, but it
wasn’t because I didn’t
think he could or ultimately
would. Sometimes picking
the prohibitive favorite is
just too damn easy, espe-
cially when that favorite is
the best bass angler on the
planet. And make no mis-
take – Thrift is the best.
Biggest Takeaway
I was surprised more
pros didn’t decide to trek
up the river, if only to
escape the heat and
search for something dif-
ferent. Hamilton isn’t a big
lake, and getting up the
river from takeoff doesn’t
take that long. Scott Martin
and Dakota Ebare made
the trip each day, and they
have top-10 finishes to
show for it.
FLW Editor-in-Chief
What Didn’t
That Thrift won it with a
grab bag of patterns.
Hamilton is only 7,200
acres, and with four days of
practice, everyone knew
pretty much every pattern.
Thrift did them all, but won
because he chose the best
option for each day, like
when he caught the easy
fish on a buzzbait on day
one then shelved that pat-
tern – for the most part –
the rest of the event.
Biggest Takeaway
I’m left believing that
no one in professional
fishing has the mental
capacity to juggle multiple
patterns, any scenario,
changing weather, 20 rods
and baits, and the pres-
sure of a major tourna-
ment as well as Bryan
Thrift. His quirky habits
and obsession with the lit-
tle details are traits we see
in many great athletes, but
there’s still only one Thrift
in pro fishing. I’m floored
by how great he is.
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