The May Trout Classic, now in its 32nd year, has never had a woman win the top prize. That changed this weekend. For the first time in 32 years Jean Sotiros Fontana became the first woman angler to take the top prize at Big Bear Lake's May Trout Classic, which is known as the Grand Daddy of Big Bear trout tournaments.


Sotiros landed her first place trout drift fishing near the Solar Observatory. The 3.92 pound trout took her offering of Pautzke's Fire Bait, and her way to the grand prize of $2000. Jean had come to the weigh-in on Saturday, May 17 at around 3 pm. One hour before the next scheduled weigh-in. Jean had the trout in a cooler bag, with no ice or water. A tournament official saw the fish and realized it was a nice sized trout that could put her in the lead. He suggested to Jean, that she ice and water down the fish to help preserve it for the anxious hour before she could officially weigh-in. Good advice. The fish weighed in at .04 pounds more than the leader at the time, giving her the lead and on Sunday and the title of first lady angler to win the May Trout Classic.


Nathan Marshall, Big Bear City took the honors in the Junior Division (12-15 yrs.) with a 2.29 pound bow caught on a trolled Needlefish in Metcalf Bay. Tessa Chan, San Dimas was the Pee-Wee Division (5-11 yrs.) winner with a 1.89 pound trout she landed on a nightcrawler off Windy Point.


Upcoming Fishing Events in Big Bear Lake

June 7 & 8: Fishin' for $50K                         --------------- Info: 800-424-4232
June 21: Aaron's Bass Tournament Championship Series --------------- Info: 800-475-3166

Big Bear Lake Marinas
Big Bear Marina, 500 Paine Ct.: 909-866-3218
Captain John's Marina, 39369 North Shore Dr. (Hwy. 38)
Holloway's Marina & RV Park, 398 Edgemoor Road: 909-866-5706
Pine Knot Marina, 439 Pine Knot Ave.: 909-866-7766
Pleasure Point Marina, 603 Landlock Landing Road: 909-866-8455
North Shore Landing, 38573 Northshore Drive: 909-878-4386