Bardelli, McDowell Wed At Bassmasters

The two were married April 20 at the Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Triton Boats.

The date marked the start of the tour that Bardelli had excitedly anticipated since she first became aware of the new, five-event series.

Bardelli, 52, and McDowell, 54, had discussed marriage for some time but made their final decision during their 36-hour drive from their Phoenix home to Gadsen, Ala.

They tied the knot just before tournament launch of the first event at Gadsden Boat Dock, then Bardelli joined 103 pro anglers and 103 co-anglers to fish.

She was fishing as a pro angler and vying for a first-place $50,000 prize package, including a fully rigged Triton boat and Mercury outboard.

"It is so appropriate for us to get married right before the WBT inaugural season starts," Bardelli said. "Don is my bass-fishing partner, and it just feels right to get married at the most significant bass-fishing event I have ever competed in."

The wedding was the beginning of another partnership for Bardelli and McDowell; the pair have already been professional partners for some time, hosting two outdoors radio shows together (Outdoors Arizona and Shake, Rattle, and Troll), taping an outdoors television show and organizing outdoor shows and expos together.

Fellow WBT angler Terri McKinnon of Ontario, Canada, and founder/owner of the well-known FisherGirl, served as Bardelli's maid of honor.

The Women's Bassmaster Tour kicked off its 2006 season with a full field of anglers and co-anglers on Neely Henry Lake in Gadsden, Ala., April 20-22.

As one of the couple’s sponsors, Arizona Boating & Watersports is pleased to publish our sincere congratulations to Darla and Don and wish them many future happy years together.