Stephen Mick

Both, actually. I'm an independent filmmaker, and Costa hires me to make films about fishing and adventure. (A great gig for a guy who loves both.) So everything you see in the video was shot, edited and narrated by me. In fact, I had 50 hours of footage in total, all of which got boiled down to the 17-plus minutes you see. -SM

Seriously, if you love bass fishing (and adventure) you owe it to yourself to make the journey to the Amazon at least once in your life. It took us three-plus days to get to the fish, but once you get there, it's just unreal. On every single cast I expected a monster to just explode, and the biggest fish we hooked never made it in the film. It ran 100 yards in about five seconds, wrapping Casey around a tree and breaking him off. Our guides said it was easily a 25-pound fish. To any interested in the trip, feel free to PM me with questions. Choosing the right company and guides is key to having a great trip, and I'll gladly hook anyone up with the folks who took us fishing. It was an epic experience.

Here's the link http://costachannelc.com/videos/Costa_TV/Casey_Ashley/Bass_Life_with_Casey_Ashley_Brazil/

Why would you have "facts?" Nobody involved has any interest in talking about these incidents. Not BASS. Not the anglers involved. Nobody. I think the only "fact" one needs to know is that Jones and Biffle were penalized for their actions (or non-actions). BASS would not take that step without multiple eyewitness accounts from other anglers and marshals.

Here's what I know, through my friends who fish the Elites 1. The two incidents were very different. Derek hit a log/stump that nobody saw until it was too late. Remitz knows how to handle his boat, but with three inches of rain, stuff gets flushed into the river, and sometimes these things happen. From what I hear, Marty's boat hit the wake of a competitor and his marshal wasn't holding on. He just got bounced, plain an simple. 2. If you come upon an accident of any kind, you should stop. As one of them told me, there could be ten guys already on the scene, but if you're the one guy who has cell phone service out there, and someone is seriously injured, you could save a life. Even if you see the marshal swimming, you still can't tell how badly he may be hurt. I've heard stories of what can happen on the water. When I'm in the boat, and we're running, I turn my camera off and I hold on. --SM

We will never really "know" what the truth of the matter is or was. As was said, the truth always lies somewhere in between. As for the marshals, I think I have an idea as to how their stories can be so different. On each day, they witnessed the same events. But after eight hours on the water, they described the events very differently. Why? Probably because for most of those eight hours, each pro was "selling" his side of the story to his marshal. So, while they may have seen the same event objectively, by the end of the day all objectivity was gone, and they saw the events as the pros did, one thinking lines were crossed, one believing he did nothing wrong. And I'm not saying that marshals are weak-minded and able to be easily manipulated, but if you're in Boyd's boat, a Classic champion, and he tells you how things should be, you're likely to see it his way. If you're in Langill's boat, you might see it his way.

A few quick notes about Matt Last season, when I was working on a documentary series with Jason Quinn, we filmed an episode at the Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Tournament on the Potomac River. We needed a couple of other pros to help us get recently returned servicemen and women out on the water. Matt (and fellow pro Todd Auten), spent their own money and time to be part of the event. Matt originally wanted to be a world-class downhill skier, but messed up his foot pretty bad and had to give it up. His dad told me that Matt had to find some outlet for his competitive nature, and when he discovered tournament bass fishing, that was it. He earned his way to the elites through club tournaments, local events and finally the Opens. He's a really good guy, and definitely one worth rooting for. --SM

You should have seen Langill at blast-off on Day 3, trying to get the microphone from emcee Keith Alan. The cops were called, it was an ugly scene. I've heard conflicting reports as to what actually happened on the water on Days 1 and 2, and whether or not it actually warranted a DQ. But the Day 3 insanity was over the top.

As someone who's pretty close to a number of the BASS guys, here's what I can tell you The payouts in the FLW may be larger, the guys say it's harder to make a living because of how FLW has always handled the sponsorship issue. FLW helps arrange sponsors to some degree, but only for the top 10 or 15 guys. This leaves a whole massive group of guys who either have to pay their way with winnings (easier said than done) or who have to convince sponsors on their own that the limited exposure FLW offers them is worth their money. FLW also seems to control much more tightly which sponsors they allow to be a part of the tour, leaving more guys to struggle over fewer opportunities. Again, this is what I've heard from the guys I know who fish the Elites. I can't say if this is the prevailing attitude or not.

Yeah, I was backstage at the tanks both before and after the weigh-in, and Todd knew he didn't have what he needed from the start. He was truly gracious in defeat, even though the ESPN folks hustled him off the stage as quickly as possible. Viewers may not have been able to see it, but he congratulated KVD both before and after the presentation. Both of them are class guys. (I saw KVD out on the water today, and he jokingly motioned for me to bring him a beer, which I would have if I'd have had one.) Todd is a true gentleman, and though it had to hurt to lose AOY, he made quite a few new fans in Syracuse with how he handled it. --SM

I can't speak for the history of co-anglers in BASS events, but from what I've seen on the tour this season, 70-80% of the same co's seem to fish every event. So if the idea is that co-angler positions help bring fans and pros together, that hasn't been happening from what I saw. In fact, some of the guys considered themselves "pro co's" and fish the Elites as co's because they couldn't afford entry fees or other costs for other series. Also, co's in Elite events have the potential to affect the outcome of the event. Sure, co's can catch pro's fish, but let's say I'm a pro, and I get paired up with a local guy who knows to throw a certain bait. He's getting bit, and I'm not. So I'll tie on what he's using. So, without even knowing it, he's "giving me information" which could affect the outcome. Personally, I'd love to see BASS eliminate the Wednesday practice day, and to hold a true pro/am event instead, where pros and co's fish together. (Or something like that.) Just my two cents. --SM

Honestly, after having been at both Florida events this season, I think there are better places for BASS. Perhaps it was the time of year, but the crowds just weren't there. From what I've seen, BASS is really trying to (slowly) expand the reach of their schedule, while staying in touch with the core bass audience. So, hello Michigan, goodbye Florida. --SM

My (limited) understanding of the Falcon situation is that the local area chamber had received a tourism development grant that allowed them to host this year's event. But they were unable (or otherwise) to raise the funds to have the BASS guys back. But I can tell you that every single one of the Elite guys I know or have talked to would have loved a return trip to Falcon. I just hope that by the time they get back, the fishery is still as amazing as it is now. --SM

No more co-anglers (from BASS press release) Along with the schedule, BASS announced today that co-anglers will be removed from Elite Series competitions starting in 2009. Bass fishing fans will continue to have the opportunity to ride along with the pros. This move further elevates the status of the Elite Series events and professional fishing. The program details will be posted on Bassmaster.com at a later date. Co-anglers will continue to compete in Bassmaster Opens the ultimate proving ground on the way to the Elite Series as well as other BASS events. Considering the success of the Open format, BASS also established today the addition of another Open division, the Bassmaster Northern Opens. Qualifying structures and the complete Open schedule will be released in the near future. "BASS has always been about serving our anglers and fans by providing opportunities to compete in the highest levels of tournament bass fishing," Ricks said. "This is the logical evolution and enhancement of the Elite Series to extend brand-building opportunities for the sport."

Well, based on what I know, where the series goes is determined in large part by who "wants it." Meaning money, area support and general enthusiasm makes it happen. Local area convention/visitor's bureaus and chambers of commerce have to work with BASS to put on an event like these. Maybe some of the lakes that don't get (or haven't been) visited just don't show the necessary "enthusiasm," if you know what I mean. That said, I'm looking forward to Smith Mountain Lake and the Michigan event. Oh, and Champlain is supposed to be beautiful and full of fish. --SM