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jpeiserich.
Last week was a marathon, to say the least. First the G.A.F. at Lukes place, which was great to see everyone, then prefishing the Red for the WES Regional. Monday evening got the call the tournament was being moved to Rayburn, it went downhill from there. I did somehow manage to make the cut for the Nationals(pure luck), but it just doesnt seem as important as it was before last week. Taking the tournament to Rayburn opened a whole new strain on friendships, information, and homelake clicques, and it took its toll on many. Whereas the Red was more nuetral ground. I also enjoy competition, but there is so much $$$$$$ to be won on Rayburn every year that it is a business venture not to be toyed with, or information given to just anyone outside a select few. I just thought i was a tournament fisherman before this trip,,,,now i know ive got a long way to go, and alot to learn yet. Ill probably not live long enough to change my ways, but i hope to learn from experiences, and this trip was an experience, or vis-versa !……….D.
Interesting D-man. Care to enlighten us a little more? I know you guys had a blast at the GAF. You know we started our unit up last week and we are having to shut it down again due to a bad leak. I thought I was finished but Murphys law got us. I did have a couple days off this weekend but it looks like another 12 day stretch is coming. Oh well, Ill just be happy. Glad you made the National and wish you the best of luck. Talk to you later. Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.
Had one friend tell another he was in a quandry about helping him make the event, and knew if he helped him hed qualify, but that if he qualified he couldnt beat him on his home water,,,,so he didnt help him ! And they were staying together, and have known each other for years. Another guy from Ar. took a no boater with him to the event, prefished with him, and found him with a boater on several of his spots in the tournament ! Many instances like these, and worse, but all apparently in a day of fishing an event on a place like Rayburn.
When we discuss Sam Rayburn Reservoir, there are plenty of areas where more fish grow larger. Though they are all what we term little meccas. Our discussion is that there are all sorts of hot spots for competitive fishing. Lake Erie, Kentucky Lake, Guntersville, Okeechobee, The Delta, Lake of the Ozarks, Grand Lake and more. These are all Meccas that tournament anglers revolve around regionally and each has its own little dominance in their regions. Though there is only one Kingdom and that is Sam Rayburn. One has to experience it, to realize just how much tournament fishing has influenced that area. It is phenomenal how much Jasper, Texas gains from Sam Rayburn. They have no idea how much, and they have a better idea than most. Kentucky Lake and Guntersville also have a pretty good understanding of how important tournament anglers are to their economies. We once thought about rotating lakes for the Owners Invitational, one year here at home on Lake Norfork, and another year on Sam Rayburn, Coming back home to Norfork, then going out to Guntersville, and continue that rotation across the country in strong BCB areas. Rick
I do know what you mean. I have been lucky enough to fish Rayburn, Toledo, Guntersville, Seminole and others and have seen this type of stuff myself. It is a pure and complete shame what money will do to a friendship. Most people tend to do the right thing when the time comes but some just cant get past the almighty dollar. Then they ruin a friendship and wind up sucking in the tournament to go along with it. Those type of people rarely come out ahead in our world. Its all about the love of the sport for me. I am becoming less and less of a tournament fisherman these days just out of pure enjoyment of fishing where I want, when I want, with whom I want to. Im sure you know what I mean. Whats important is to enjoy the fact that we get to do what we love fishing out of these fine boats and with such fine equipment. Gotta love it!!! Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.
D – It is disappointing to hear such a report. I know you have fished many years and tons with your boys including tourneys. I got into fishing because of my dad and want my girls to always want to go with me. I treasure the time with family pursuing the sport we all love. I dont have the same experience fishing tournaments of that size, but from your report I dont think there is much there for me. Fishing here I have met many fine people, both men and women, that I am proud to call friends. These are people that would stop and help you without a second thought. I dont have an answer for the type of actions described. From knowing you, I know you will learn the “right” lesson and wont change your ways. Those of you that dont know, D, Ward, Kevin Short and others how regularly post here helped me out so that I didnt look like a bigger fool that I already do last year. They didnt need to do so and they did it out of the goodness of their hearts. That is the lesson I take from fishing. John
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