The only thing hotter than the weather was the performance of the defending champion at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championships.
After the day one weigh-in, the 2004 champion Jim Lindner, who is fishing the event with a new partner, Mike Hayner, also of Minnesota, leads the pack with 21.10 pounds of bass.
They have a slim .72 pound lead over the team of Dave Lindsay from Keewatin and his partner, Lee Lindsay of Winnipeg.
In third spot with 19.41 pounds is the team of Mark Libitka of Kenora and Dave Bennett of Sioux Narrows.
The big fish of the day was five pounds event, caught by Mike Novak of Hudson, Wisconsin and partner Bill Storbeck of Blaine, Minnesota.
Day two weigh-ins get underway today at 3:30.
