Summer 2025
page 28
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JT Thompkins
McKinney
has been penalized or disqualified multiple times. His running buddy JT Thompkins got in on the act as well. Those acts or omissions added fuel to the fire, but there was also resentment from above for other reasons – part of it was because they were perceived as having it easier, not having “paid their dues.” Also, there was a perception that they refused to defer or bend a knee to their elders.
So would there have been resentment based on their success no matter what?
Based what I’ve seen in 40 years of following the sport and over two decades inside the industry, I think the answer is clearly “yes.” At the same time, the addition of the forward facing sonar controversy clearly amplified things.
I’ll leave the debate over FFS for another day, but I can’t ignore it altogether. The fact that so many of these kids are perceived to be “scopers,” and furthermore assumed to be unable to use any “more traditional” tactics has just created a bigger chasm. And it doesn’t help that social media provides a semi-anonymous playing field that stifles meaningful debate (and doesn’t typically result in anyone getting punched in the mouth).
side of the divide. It doesn’t build up the sport. It just divides us further.
But there are certain people who I trust to give me the straight scoop, even if they’re comparatively old like me. I ran into straight- shooter Mark Zona after Day Two of the Classic in the hotel lobby and his quote was simple: “Easton Fothergill is a 10 out of 10 as
a human being as an angler.”
Other industry stalwarts, even those
representing companies which compete
with his sponsors, said very much the same
thing. One rep told me how two years
ago he asked multiple people intimately
involved with college fishing who would be
the next big star without any downside,
and everyone said “Easton.” So even if
you buy the premise that some of these
kids may not be sufficiently ethical or
respectful, to paint them all with that broad brush is ridiculous.
From my perspective as a writer, I’m a big fan of many of the young hammers. While they grew up in a generation where the written word or even a Bassmaster Magazine cover doesn’t have the power it once held, several have gone out of their way to be stewards of sport and responsible sources. Trey McKinney answers the phone every time I call and gives thoughtful, nuanced answers, offering as much time as I need. I can think of multiple veterans, including some Hall of Famers, who don’t show that same attitude. Some of have been downright rude.
Kyle Patrick works his ass off to promote his brand and his sponsors and there’s never been a peep of anger at him. Tyler Williams just seems to love to fish – like the others, he’s gone out of his way to help me out.
While I’m still agnostic on FFS vs. no-FFS or somewhere in between, I’ll always take friendly “scopers” willing to
work over “traditional” anglers who
GENERATIONAL WARFARE
People try to put us down (talkin’ ‘bout my generation)
Just because we get around (talkin’ ‘bout my generation)
While the young hammers haven’t always helped their own cause, those of us old guys haven’t necessarily made things any better. Think of the terminology – “flat brimmers” or “cheater box” – which again seek to “other” the people on the opposite
Trey McKinney