I'm back in Roanoke after spending the past few days at the Bassmaster Classic in Greenville, S.C. I'm beat, so I can't even imagine what the anglers feel like. I guess they're used to it.
OK, I have to admit that the second and third days weren't as rough for me as the first. The second day my coverage focused on the weigh-in. I went to the Expo but it was absolutely insane. There were no parking spots. But even if I had taken a shuttle bus I would have been out of luck as I learned that the fire marshall showed up and wouldn't let anybody else in the Carolina First Center. Seems the people of Greenville are just a bit hungry for outdoor gear.
If you saw my stories in the paper you know that amateur angler Jeff Freeman of Max Meadows just missed the cut on Saturday, coming in at 28th. I hated that for him because he was so close. It's really impressive that a guy who works 48 hours a week can do so well against guys who do this for a living.
On the other hand, he was so sick that he needed a break even though he didn't want one.
Sunday I went out to the lake in the morning (but not too early) to get on a media boat so I could get some pictures of John Crews. The ESPN/BASS folks track the anglers using GPS units, and that helped us know the general area where Crews was fishing. But that lake is 56,000 acres (well, it is when it's full, which it's not, by a long shot) and it turned out John took off as soon as we did. So it took us about 45 minutes to find him. The media boat driver had to be back about an hour later to pick up another photographer so we had all of about 30 minutes to watch Crews.
He was fishing almost in the shadow the football stadium at Clemson -- Death Valley -- so I got a couple shots of that. So I was OK. But I really wanted a fish. I said to the boat driver and the other photographer with me, "I really need him to catch a fish."
Next thing I know Crews had one on. When he got his hands on the 4-pounder he let out this incredible whoop. The only thing that wasn't perfect was I was shooting with second-rate, obsolete Nikon digital gear that I got when our photo staff switched to the good Canon pro gear. Despite that, I was pretty happy with the series of shots I got.
I thanked Crews for catching the bass and we took off. It was kind of funny.
He ended up having a really solid day with the 5th best bag. But the way it worked out he didn't move up a single spot, and finished 16th. Amazingly, the guy just ahead of him was Charlie Hartley, who started the day in second.
Crews has had some really solid tournaments, and some great days out there on the pro tour. His best finish is a third. I think it's only a matter of time before he puts it all together and gets his first win.
Comments
[February 26, 2008 12:47 AM]
BacklashMark Inquiring minds would like too know....
When can we see another B.A.S.S. tournament in the area?
How did the area competitors feel after the contest ended?
Do you believe a friendly fishing tournament could be held in this area?
Your story was very enlightening plus seeing it on ESPN2, the boat dock leaning was a favorite shot shown each day of the tournament.
[February 26, 2008 9:34 AM]
Mark TaylorBacklash, Thanks for keeping up with my Classic coverage, and for the comments.
Before I forget, I plan to make a complete new entry on your belly boat comments. So I won't address them here.
As for the questions above, Smith Mountain Lake turned out to be one of the better tournament venues for BASS last season. I know BASS wants to come back because this weekend I had officials tell me they were hoping to make it happen.
But, as you know, this is a competitive thing. A lot of other localities want these tournaments, too, because they can provide a nice economic boost. BASS is a business so when they're considering a lake they're looking at more than just whether or not the crowds and fishing are good. For the last tournament Franklin and Bedford counties each put up a $25,000 incentive to get BASS here.
I would guess they'd need to ante up again. I don't know what the status of that is. My sense is that Franklin County officials were really excited about the last tournament are felt great about their investment. So I'm betting they are eager to make it happen again. I haven't gotten that sense from Bedford, but in fairness, I haven't really been looking for it, either.
But if one county is willing to invest and the other isn't, that could torpedo a bid.
If BASS does come back, I doubt the event will be in the summer again. The recreational boat traffic was too much of an issue. Ideally, they'd come in the spring, but it would have to work into the route of the trail. Fall would be another possibility. Personally, I'd love to see it in spring because I think the pros would really tap the potential of Smith Mountain Lake.
Back to the Classic, I think both John Crews and Jeff Freeman were pretty satisfied about how the Classic turned out. Obviously, both would have liked to have done better. But they both had very solid tournaments.
I don't know what you mean by "friendly fishing tournaments" held in this area. I would say most of the local tournaments held around here are fairly friendly based on how well most of the competitors seem to get along.
On the low water down there, it was pretty amazing. As you know that region has been locked in a severe drought. They've had a little reief, but not much.
On global warming, which you mentioned in a previous comment, the fact that our planet is getting warmer is indisputable.
Now, what is up for debate is the cause. The planet has gone through major warming and cooling phases before, obviously. Most scientists believe that man is contributing to the fast rate at which it is warming this time. But a few believe it would be happening no matter what.
If it weren't complicated enough, some folks have turned it into a political issue and feel like they have to take sides based on party affiliation.
And I'll leave it at that.
Thanks, everyone, for reading.
mt
[February 28, 2008 9:10 AM]
BacklashIf the first Belly Boat fishing challenge this summer was to be held would you participate?
If there was a Club similar to SCBBC(Sonoma County Belly Boat Club of California) would you join?
And if you had a Belly Boat do you think you could catch more fish than me for a trophy?
Please, I need some input from readers of this great section.
Thank you....
[February 28, 2008 11:04 PM]
BacklashMark
I want to share a posted comment from the SCBBC for you and your readers if you don't mind.....
Welcome Backlash you can get some club history by clicking the links up above.Start with the about us link and bounce around from there and you`ll learn a lot about the club and some of its history...
Also good luck on starting a club you`ll be able to get a lot of info to get you started on this forum and the home website. Post some links to the sites your referring to and we`ll check them out. Come on out when you can and we`ll take you to the best fishery in the country,Clear lake.
Bill Sweatt
http://www.bassanglerprofiles.com/billsweatt.htm
Home Town: Santa Rosa, Ca Bass Club(s): Scbbbc, BnT,100% Bass Biggest Bass: 8.5 lb Boat(s): Water Skeeter, Stratos Pro 285
Favorite Place to Fish: Clear Lake, Delta, Blue Lake Favorite Technique: Flippin' & Cranking Favorite Season: Early, Mid and Late Fall
Sponsors: None
Tournament Highlights: 2007 Scbbbc Angler of the Year, 2007 Scbbbc State Classic 1st place, 2005 - 100% Bass TOC, Scbbbc Clearlake Team 2nd, Scbbbc Clear Lake Invitational 2nd, Scbbbc TOC 2nd, 2004 - Scbbbc TOC, Blue Lakes 1st, Clear Lake Invitational 1st, Spring Lake 3rd, BnT Delta 1st, BnT Delta 2nd, BnT 3rd AOY, 2003 - Scbbbc TOC, Blue Lakes 2nd, Sonoma 3rd, Delta 2nd, 2002 - Scbbbc TOC, Clear Lake 2nd, Delta 2nd, 2001 - Scbbbc TOC 1st, Blue Lakes 2nd Delta 2nd, Sonoma 2nd. Pre 2000 Stats 3 -1st place finishes, 1 3rd place. 10 Time Big Fish Winner. 12 Time TOC Qualifier
"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." Jimi Hendrix
Wow!!!!!! checking my schedule right now.....
[February 29, 2008 12:03 PM]
Mike : →http://www.scbbbc.comI'm guessing theres no gators in Virgina? So you guys can use bellyboats right! I'd love to see a new club born back east. That would be sweet. Have you seen the bass tech episode were they brought one of our guys out and pimped his kick boat? here a short clip from that show. http://espn.go.com/winnercomm/outdoors/video/BT_episode4_512.wmv