I am writing this letter knowing full well that it is going to create controversy among many. There are also those that are going to agree with me.
32+ years ago I started full time, a life long endeavor of supporting what I consider the greatest, healthiest, and most fun hobby in my life. When I graduated high school in 73, I lived on Toledo Bend, outside of Zwolle, La. I tended bar at the Sportsman Club. I was around a lot of tournaments, and the patriarchs of the beginning of B.A.S.S. But didn't get involved in the sport like I am today. Bass fishing is my earthly passion. There are only a few things in my life that are more important to me than bass fishing. I am the kind of guy that tries to stay in the middle of the road, so to speak. I am a realist, and know with good, along comes bad. There's no way to avoid it. I am going to shed some light on this subject that not everyone knows, or hasn't thought about, but is present non the less. Along the way I am going to mention names for example reason's only. In the 40+ years of being around, and involved with this grand sport, I have seen it morph from an organization created to promote responsible handling of the species, comradery among men, and along the way teach our young people responsibility with the resources we were born with. I understood B.A.S.S. to be for responsible behavior toward the resources, and species. It was a win, win deal. Those in the beginning that had a vision of something better, started the sport we now have. Great, well maybe. Along with notoriety comes corruption. I have watched small entry fees split in 3 ways, turn into million dollar winnings. Anytime there is that much money involved there is going to be fraud, cheating and corruption. We all have heard stories about incidents involving that. I have watched this sport grow from it's beginning (a really good thing) to full blown sponsorship, all about the money thing. Integrity sort of gets sidelined when big money, and mega million dollar sponsor's come into the picture. When Nascar dropped it's affiliation with Winston because of the dangers of tobacco and it's harm to folks health, most folks applauded it for obvious reasons. I think that B.A.S.S, and the bass fishing community should do the same thing. I, believe that by accepting big money to promote liquor, tobacco and such sponsorship, is sending the wrong message to the young ones we are trying to pass along our way of life. If we go along with this as adults, then the young fisher people will think that it's alright for them to move forward in that direction also. I recently dropped my subscription with Bassmaster the magazine for this reason. I know that if children, and young folks pick up these magazines, (and they do), and see these liquor, smokeless tobacco, and cigarette advertisements, they will think nothing about it's dangers. We as adults need to set the example, and not promote these habits, and products. We can still have fun teaching bass fishing, and passing on the fine art of this sport, without sending the wrong message. While I am on the subject of sending the wrong messages to our children, I would like to address the issue of correct behavior when fishing in front of children. There are those that have very little self control of there anger in public. I have witnessed heated arguments, near fights, and literally temper tantrums among our so called idols. One incident I recall, I remember one angler (pro) didn't even slow down his boat when passing another angler fishing in a nationally televised tournament. Really! What kind of message is that to be sending to young folks? They break rods, throw things down in the boat, and scream hateful things at others, even animals. This is supposed to be fun, and relaxing. If we don't learn self control when the cameras are on, I can only imagine what happens when they are off. One more thing, The specie that we love and seek religiously (bass), are being released back into the water wrong. I believe it's called catch and release, not unhook and throw. C'mon guy's, if you are in that much of a hurry to cast again, that you don't release it overboard the right way, especially in front of our children, and on camera, what kind of example, and message are we teaching the ones that follow. Well enough said. I have been wanting to speak up for years, I just didn't know how, or where to say it. Thank God for The Bass Resource Guide forum. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the following fishermen, they are a credit to the sport, and are what it really about. To start, my thanks to Ray Scott for creating, and the vision of B.A.S.S. Next the fine men I admire. Gary Kline, Mark Davis, Mark Rose, Shaw Grigsby, Andy Montgomery, Hank Parker, Bill Dance, and Gerry McGinnis. These men, along with others are some of the real ambassadors of bass fishing. My hats off to them. Whose going to fill there shoes when there gone?
Thanks, smallmouth55
