That's Bob in the middle....
Would you be able to fish all day, multiple days, in the pouring rain, freeze your tail off and concentrate on every cast like it was life or death? I’m sure some of you can, and we all know the legends of this sport have done/can do that. But not everyone.
TN writer Bob Hodge recently fished the Beaver Lake FLW and discovered…he’s not derby material. Some choice excerpts from his account:
> Fishing is easy when it’s with grandpa or your kids and you’re just out for fun. But when you do it for the money to feed your kids, it becomes almost over-the-top work.
> After driving 12 hours to Rogers on Feb. 26, Brandon Coulter and Tom Spangler then spent three consecutive 10-hour days practicing. After practice was over, the only thing most [in the field] had figured out was the lake was tough.
> In my world, fishing can be absolutely ruined by too much wind, too much cold and just about any amount of rain. Monday on Beaver Lake, you had them all. We were out before daylight, back in about dark and I was a whole lot of unhappy in between.
> Coulter and I threw jerkbaits and jigs and crankbaits and he loaned me some his seriously expensive baits. None of them meant as much to me as the cheap pair of gloves I lost when they blew off the back of the boat. [I love that line.]
> If this had been a hunting trip, I wouldn’t think twice about it. I’ve hunted deer and ducks and turkeys in weather that, at the end of the day, the most likely thing that would end up dead was me. [I’m the same way, except upland hunting – which keeps you warm.]
> Averaging a bite an hour didn’t hold my attention despite the fact I was fishing for a $20,000 prize. Christy was focused. I was mentally debating if I thought Ginger or Mary Ann was prettier.
_____
Glad it didn’t get so bad that he started to think about Gilligan….
I think my pick would be Mary Ann just because if I remember right, Ginger didn’t seem real enthusiastic about anything.
6 Comments
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Jeff Hahn
March 18, 2011 at 7:39 am
Fun times = Ginger, but once the fun is over I’d marry Mary Ann!
Chad Keogh
March 18, 2011 at 7:57 am
Mary Ann hands down for me. I’m not into high-maintenance women like Ginger (been there, done that, no thanks).
As for tournament fishing, the key in the example of the story is to be prepared. If you are wet and chivering, it’s virtually impossible to concentrate. If you have your Gortex on, your Save Phace mask, and your fishing gloves, you’re as comfortable as a sunny day.
SkeeterVD
March 18, 2011 at 8:06 am
Gotta watch those quiet Kansas girls…Mary Ann ALL the way!
BryanT
March 18, 2011 at 9:05 am
Mary Ann for me, not a fan of redheads.
As far as having it to go pro. Sell boats for a few months. Every character that comes through those marina doors wearing xxxx tackle, boat, or rod/reel shirt thinks they are the next KVD.
Slicks N Tricks
March 21, 2011 at 12:22 pm
I can handle all that weather BS its the part about me sucking that is holding me back. Do they get free snacks every day? I would step up my game if I was fishing for free snacks…
MattBass
March 11, 2012 at 3:40 pm
Slicks – that is so true…!!! (ROFLMAO)
As for weather, no problemo! I’ve fished Canada a bit – raining hard (like standing in a cold shower) and 35 – 45 degrees for days. Goretex and fleece are your friends – warm as toast!
Micropterously yours,
mlg