Westernbass Magazine - FREE Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - Fall 2013, Page 8

Westernbass Magazine - FREE Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - Fall 2013, Page 8

In my duties, I have a variety of responsibilities. i have to run a website in both the editorial as well as the administrative and business realms; and because i am for the most part - with the help from my wife and a few friends who can contribute when time allows - a one man band. With that in mind, i just wear multiple hats when at an event like the Forrest Wood Cup. The site needs to run, and i need to stop by and visit all of my partners that have booths at the expo; so i have limited time to get on the water. But, in trying to get quality images to use in future articles, i did go out on the river on one of FlW outdoors’ camera boats and get some shots on the water. articles are always more enjoyable with a variety of images that have different settings, as opposed to just on stage or at take off; so getting out there is important. i stopped on several anglers early. dave lefebre, Mark rose, Jacob Wheeler, Matt arey, luke Clausen, Scott Martin, Jay Yelas, andy Morgan and a few others bore the laser focus of my viewfinder at points in the morning. However, as mid- morning came upon us, my boat driver - a gentleman named ricky lee from the area - took me into the famed White House area in pool five of the red river. There, i was able to follow Nixon as he navigated and fished his way through the stump fields that red river backwaters are known for. i took several shots of Nixon fishing, and followed him for about an hour before he decided to idle out of the backwater and head to another area. By then, i was about due for my scheduled call in to Bass talk live to give them an update of the event from a firsthand perspective, so we headed back north to do that call in, then to the docks to get ready for weigh-in.

it occurred to me that i have witnessed so much that i am grateful for in the auspices of doing my job as a “fishing journalist.” Nixon was in position to win the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup after day three, and took a big chance to win it by swinging for the fences on day four; he would eventually finish fifth. But, i also was on hand to watch Brauer win the Major league Fishing event on Chautauqua lake in New York only five days after he told me; and swore me to secrecy, that he had decided to retire from tour level competition.

All of that hit me as I was on my way home. i had watched one legendary angler accomplish greatness one more time after he had decided to put the thing he had done so well for nearly thirty years, and had watched another stand in the face of the end of his career and throw punches of destiny as he challenged to win one of the biggest events in the sport; one of only two titles that have eluded him in his career. What truly hit me is this. The generations of our sport; unlike others, is not just tied together by statistics. it is tied together by the ability of its best to remain in competition, and to remain competitive, so that generation after generation are able to witness multiple portions of their career. it is one of the things that makes the sport of bass fishing so great; and i get the chance to witness a lot of it, and share it with you.

I really do have a great job, that great representatives have done before me. Steve Price, tim tucker, louie Stout, Bob Cobb, Ken duke and others have gone before me with a great deal of class, knowledge and dignity. i am fortunate to be able to follow in their paths, it is a job that comes with responsibilities and a track record of those men i respect so much, and do not take this job, or its responsibilities lightly.

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My job is to be a keeper and sharer of history. Gratefully, some of our best and brightest from over the years are still present to give me the topics with which to write it.

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