Dinky

Of course I will be there! It is going to be in our cabin! You will of course pass the hat I assume to help defray your expenses. I will bring paper goods if you need them and will coordinate with rhino.

Question for Long Mike and or Glenn: Are we going to have an auction to support Tackle the Storm again?

They have been giving demo boat rides at the Elite Tournaments and their are several display booths--Mercury, Yamaha, etc. I would try to watch the weigh in, but keep an eye out for where the pros exit behind the stage. You will not be allowed back where the tanks are, but usually there is a 3 foot fence around them and the pros exit out there after they weigh to go trailer their boats. That is when you can get autographs and pictures. Take a Black Sharpie and a white hat or tee shirt for them to sign. they will pose for photos. It is also worth trying to get to the launch ramp early in the morning (5:30am) and see the sometimes chaotic launching of the boats in the dark, and then stay for the start--usually 7:00am. They don't have the meet and greets any more.

Oh, and ghoti too! You gotta be the luckiest Oregon Duck ever.

Plus, you get to stay with me and Rhino!!! It don't get much better than that, does it?

Go to the Bassmaster web site. Click on Elite Tournament block, then on Marshal block. Follow the instructions from there.

As for knowing who won- Realize that the boats have to be trailered from the lake with the fish in the live well to Birmingham for the weigh-in. As we pull out of the water we line up and each live well is checked by a BASS official: the fish are checked to see that they are alive, meet the length requirements and counted. The livewells are also checked to ensure they are full of water and working properly for the drive to the weigh-in. It was obvious that Randy H. had a huge sack of fish at the lakeside check in and that Tharp et all had smaller sacks--add that to the known weights each angler had for the first two days and it was fairly easy to figure out.

Just got back from the Classic last night. It was my second time as a Marshall for the Classic. The weather was much, much better than last year at Grand Lake in Oklahoma. This year it was in the low thirties at launch but warmed up to mid sixties as the day progressed. Sunny every day except Wednesday, the last practice day. Rode with Patrick Bone Wednesday (Southern Open Winner); Chris Lane Friday (Central Open Winner);Steve Kennedy on Saturday. Sunday the weather was nice enough that the media writers decided they would be able to go out with the pros and so there was no need for us. Last year it was too cold for the sissy media and many of us Marshals went out on the final day. On the spectator issue: There are two aspects to this-first is keeping a respectable distance from the pro while he is fishing. This has not usually been much of a problem. Occasionally someone drifts a bit too close, but it is seldom a problem and the pro will usually say something and the spectator will gladly move back. second: fishing the spots the pros have just left and/or jumping the spots before he arrives. This is a problem. And the reputation of Guntersville in particular and Alabama in general is horrible in this respect. Occasionally two pros will butt heads over a spot, but if one has not practiced in that area during official practice week he will most often not persist and will leave the spot. As for more 'live' coverage; the pros are very secretive about exactly when and where they are catching their fish--if it is made public knowledge as to where they are fishing and catching them in real time-and they are given access to basstrack(which they may or may not have, but which relatives and friends may have)it will compromise what they perceive as their private info. Unfortunately bass fishing simply does not lend itself to great live tv. Being in the boat with the pros is a real experience --whether it is the Classic or another Elite Tournament. I recommend it at least once if you can.

Actually you over paid me--home cooked meal (you better bring a lot this year -looks like it could be a big crowd Plus you helped me up off the ramp when I tripped and fell down on my butt. This year we need to fish longer--maybe we can fish together on a day it doesn't rain.

Non boaters usually give me what I deserve---a hard time. .ghoti.--you are in for a real treat.

How are you with mental cases?

You think that was bad, wait till you fish with................___________________

Catching big bass, buying real estate and disposing of Mafia whacked wise guys bodies all involve one thing to be successful: Location, location, location .

Champlain?? (spelling?) I'm in.

I'm speechless.

I don't feel comfortable letting just anyone inspect my courtesy.

Never been to Doublehead, I have been on Wilson lake and surrounding area. The only ripping current would be below the dam should you choose to lock through. Should not be a problem on the lake for you and your pet yak.

Watch for me--I am in the rooster fish commercial. (I assume this is a rerun from last summer.) Thomas usually catches them suspended in the trees with a jig.

Great1 we'll have Yakburgers one night for dinner!!

Whew! I just made it over the age limit.

Better fotos of boat with sun shining Can't get it in the garage looking to rent a storage space for it.

Bass Cat -2013 Cougar Transferred my Power Poles from the Nitro-

Yes I sold it (Nitro) in June. Trying to find a place for the Tracker so I can put the new boat in the garage.

Jeff, Good one. It was no Baccarac in March, but I can live with it. But then it was no El Salto in the fall either. Looking forward to Baccarac in March. Would love to go there in Oct. but schedule is brutal--Scotland/France/Portugal/Spain for most of August, then Florida in October and back to Elsalto in Dec then Brazil in January. Just took delivery on my new boat and have not had it in the water yet!!