convert that critical season into the overall top spot did not set well with one particu- lar friend and mentor. “It was two dead fish on the year that cost me,” recounted Best. “Mike [Folkestad] really chewed me out on that one.” When B.A.S.S. made a foray into the West in the late 1990s, it offered a shot at stardom without the brutality of cross- country towing. Regardless, that decade may have been the region’s strongest (before the exodus of top talent). There was Nevada’s Pat Donoho, who won an U.S. Open, and a host of consistent Northern Californians such as Russ Meyer, Dave Rush, Kim Manning, Leroy Bertolero, Mark Rizk (who earned a Classic berth) and Art Roland. To the south there was Byron Velvick, who had yet to emigrate eastward, Fred Borders, Cary Serklew and veteran Cal Dooley, to name a few. As for brief Bassmaster visits, a handful made the most of it, including the heavy- hitting Gary Dobyns, perhaps the West’s winningest regional pro. He earned a Classic berth then, and, of course more re- cently, a U.S. Open title. Likewise, John Murray of Phoenix earned both Classic
Randy Best, above, missed out on an Angler of the Year title because of two dead fish. Later he made the Bassmaster Classic. Opposite, Jim Kast was an early master of sonar in Western waters.
spots and a pair of Open titles, while Best got his consolation prize as well, qualify- ing for the Classic in 1998 before he left the sport. Now, of course, we only need to click on favorites to see how current and former Westerners have successfully navigated the
national scene—or enjoyed some magic moments. From Gary Yamamoto and Robert Lee to Dean Rojas and Skeet Reese to Aaron Martens and Fred Roumbanis, to Ish Monroe and Brent Ehrler, the list goes on. And what would you expect? They all fish in the footsteps of those who came before.
July 2011 _ SILVER EAGLES 11