Hey Corky

I will be more than honored to assist Cliff in testing your boat for the shakedown cruise. I really like Cliff, and I have nothing but respect for the manner in which he treats customers and conducts his business in a professional manner. He sure treats his customers well. The severe injury I suffered from the Rat-L-Trap was totally the fault of Cliff Brown!!!!! While fishing from my brand new boat, he had the audacity to catch the first fish to be brought into the boat, and on my lures and from one of my fishing poles. I then caught a small bass (very small bass only slightly larger than my Rat-L-Trap) and proceeded to quickly remove the hook so that I could get back into the water to catch a fish larger than Cliffs. Well, on the very next cast a darned white bass jumped on that Rat-L-Trap and when I picked the line up to get him into the boat, the fish thrashed and dislodged the hook which like a slingshot forced a #4 Gamakatsu into the meaty part of my hand close to my thumb. Cliff went on the explain his expertise at removing lodged hooks, which I later found that his operational definition for expertise was that he read about a technique involving fishing line and pain. Cliff told me that I should relax, wrapped some 12 pound test line around the hook and proceeded to pull. The hook did not move, but at this point my hand started resembling a foot. When it did not come out, Cliff proceeded to explain that he must not have pulled hard enough. I can not believe that I allowed him to repeat the process, which had about the same level of success. This is when I found out the definition of expertise, which if you remember from earlier in the story means that he read about it. Well, the fish were still schooling, so we decided to try it a third time with the same result. At this point, my hand did look like a foot. Cliff then proceeded to explain that we should push the hook through and cut the barb instead of trying to jerk it out. I also have a hard time believing that I fell for that one, but remember that the fish were still schooling in proximity to the boat. As soon as Cliff proceeded to push the hook through my now swollen and disfigured hand and the pain from all of the pulling and pushing on this hook hit, I decided that I was going to the emergency room to have this done by a professional. Cliff stated on the way back to the ramp that he could not believe that the hook removal technique that he read about did not work. When I was finally seen at the emergency room, the doctor proceeded to try to pull the hook out just like Cliff did. I told the doctor that this was not going to work, as it was the same thing my friend attempted before my had became swollen. The doctor after several attempts agreed that I was correct and pushed the hook through, cut the barb, and backed the hook out. Fortunately the doctor had litacaine to numb my hand prior to removing the hook. I had fun in telling this story. In actuality, the story is true, but Cliff was compassionate and concerned about the hook in my hand and really did attempt to remove the hook without hurting me. The doctor said the hook did not come out for Cliff because the hook hit a ligament. I will not bring any lures when we test your boat, but I will hope to meet you and fish with you on Belton or Stillhouse at some point. You are really going to love that Bass Cat, and you will be very pleased with the service that you receive from Cliff at Texas Boat World. Corky

Bass Cat: Geez, please do not tell Cliff about the curved sewing needle trick. There is no telling what might happen to me the next time I stick a hook in my hand if Cliff starts digging through my wounds with a curved sewing needle. You may not realize it, but Cliff is NOT the most gentle man in the world!!!!! I still really love my Bass Cat Puma, and I immensely enjoy this internet site that you provide for us to all enjoy. Other boat manufacturers just do not understand the good will that they could produce by following your lead with this internet page. Corky

Corky, Rick told me about the needle, all I need is someone to practice on. What are you doing this weekend?