Open – the guys we used to see on television. Guys like Ricky Clunn, Denny Brauer, David Fritz and Gary Klein and we would have the opportunity to see our heroes live and fish against them. That really intrigued me – along with the big
payout.
Johnson meeting
- John Murray
WB: Did you want to meet your heroes or beat your heroes?
JOHNSON: My attitudes was that the western anglers are just as good as the guys that go East to fish; but we don’t always the opportunity to go back there to compete. A lot of us have jobs and families and the cost to go is unbelievable, especially to make trips to compete AND trips to practice the lakes that the guys are already back there fishing.
It is typically more difficult to compete on a lake that you never get to, as opposed to a guy that can
go there and practice all
the time, because they live
on it or near it. That is what
is great about Lake Mead.
It is the “great equalizer”. It is an even playing field for everyone. It is one of the most challenging lakes, regardless of your history with it. It is definitely one of the lakes in the country that can humble anyone.
WB: It kicked off in ‘82, how long have you been trying to take the trophy?
JOHNSON: I fished my first one in 1994. I’ve missed a few in between; not many. I have made 19 or 20 of them.
WB: I know the ink hasn’t even dried on the check yet; but how has life changed for you now that you’ve joined the ranks of your heroes?
JOHSNON: I’ve been at several other events. After the U.S. Open, I partnered with Matt Shura and two
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