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yowman.
I want to take the time to express my gratitude and appreciation for what he did for me and my father in law, and tell you guys about it.I recently bought my first boat, a Bass Cat. Having put some info about it on Facebook, I started seeing friend suggestions and pages I might like that were related to fishing, and Bass Cat. One of them happened to be Jamey Caldwell – professional angler who also happens to be sponsored by BCB.I liked his page, and did a quick glance, and saw a post of his about the upcoming BASS Southern Open on the Harris Chain. I made a good luck comment, saying that my in-laws live a few minutes from there, and that my father in law and I fished on Lake Griffin quite a bit recently. That started a conversation between us about some of my experiences on one of the lakes in the Harris Chain. Ultimately, Jamey said he was going to be there before official practice started, and he had an open seat – offering it to my father in law, if he was interested. Well, needless to say my father in law, Jim, jumped at the chance. They talked on the phone, set up a meeting time and place. Jim originally told me the trip was going to be relatively short, about 3-4hrs. It wound up being about 10.5hrs. Jim asked tons of questions, and Jamey patiently answered them all, even demonstrating the knots and techniques he prefers. Jim said he learned a TON on the water that day.My father in law called me later that night, after they got off the water, and sounded like a little kid who just went downstairs on Christmas morning, finding all his wishes came true! Hes had a tough year, helping his wife recover from a kidney removal, and then a total hysterectomy and chemotherapy after a discovery of cancer.I owe Jamey a great debt of gratitude for what he did for my father in law – it REALLY meant a lot to him! His wife is recovering well, though he worries still, and he admitted to me that this experience was so unexpected, and unexpectedly humbling, that he feels like a new person. Its really amazing how something as basic and simple as fishing and fellowship can pick a person up.Jamey, youve earned a fan! I cant wait to meet you, and thank you in person for this kind act, and for your service to our country._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________The above is a cut/paste that I just posted over on BBC, but I think its quite appropriate to put here as well. I dont know if any of you guys know Jamey, but Im all in as a fan of his after this experience.To BCB, youve got a great guy representing your company out in the public!
I have never met Jamey or spoken directly to him but I know he is good people. Thats a great story. Thanks for sharing.Jim EbarbMany, LA (Toledo Bend Lake)2004 Cougar/ 225 OptimaxHumminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI on BalzOut Mount at bowLowrance HDS 7 at bowHumminbird Helix 12 Mega SI on Ram Mount at ConsoleLowrance HDS 8 in dash at console
Jamey is one that I can truly call friend. He has been the guy that will give you the shirt off his back since we first started our friendship back in 2006. What most do not know is Jamey is in his 18th year in the military. He is in “Black Ops” and has been deployed a total of 14 times to serve our country. Jamey is building another chapter of his life and hoping to hit the road when he retires at 20 years and give this fishing thing a good shot. Anytime you get a chance to fish with him will be time well spent.I like many that know him wish him well “living the dream”.
I was fishing a tourney on Buggs Island, while searching for a tackle store that sold the color Senkos we were killing them on, we saw this wrapped boat and truck out front of the tackle store. After our purchase, we saw Jamey at his rig. My buddy and I walked up and started talking to him, super cool dude. Took the time to show us his Cougar FTD with its new Under Armour fish hook wrap that he helped design for them, and talked to us about the fishing on the lake and all sorts of stuff. Me and my buddy both were fresh out of the Marines at the time so I know that his Military schedule throws him a monkey wrench every now and then. Great guy, wish him the best and am sure that we will meet again one day. That is a really cool thing for your father in law.
Thank you for the kind words.Jim and I had a great time on the water that day. Both Jim and John are great people and I look forward to fishing with Jim again someday and hopefully John and I can hook up soon at a lake between the two of us. Mark Mullies was one of the first in the industry to give me a shot at building sponsorships. We meet for the first time at a boat show in Greensboro and have been great friends ever since. Both he and his family have opened their door to me many times and I think of them like my own family.To everyone on the Bass Cat board and the entire Bass Cat family. These are the reasons we are FAMILY. Folks like Jim and John, Mark and the others who have never meet me or only had a minute or two to chat. You have all been very friendly and are always willing to help a person out. Bass Cat folks are what the world should be full of…might make it a better place.Thanks to everyone and hope to meet most of you at the OI this year.Jamey
Jamey,Jim and his buddy went out today on Griffin, and caught a bunch! Said one of the baits you two talked about was a brushhog/creature bait. I have say Ive NEVER known him to throw a creature baitWell, he managed about 12 fish, the largest about 6lbs…all on that brushhog. Evidently, an old dog CAN learn a new trick, lol.Hes had a lot of people from his fishing club that are kind of treating him like an A-lister after getting the personal invite. Its obvious hes a lot more positive, and back to being excited about fishing!
John,I think he is talking about the Strike King Rodent or the Rage Craw. That is primarily what I was throwing during practice and in the tournament. Very glad to hear he is doing well and catching them. Griffin is a great lake with a ton of big fish. I will call him tomorrow and tell him the creek I was in during both days of the tournament. There are some BIG girls moving onto the beds in there.Let me know when you want to hit the water. I will be making some runs to Norman soon and want to start my homework on the James. Jamey
Probably right about the Rodent or Craw…he has a thing about calling pretty much anything in soft plastic that doesnt resemble a worm, a “brush hog”. Even lizards, lolI dream of winning the lottery, so I could pretty much schedule my days around fishing. 6 Saturdays, then a Sunday.Im definitely game for either body of water! Ive never fished Norman, and could definitely benefit from some firsthand knowledge of that lake, since Ive heard about some navigational hazards there.The only stretch of the James that Ive fished is in Lynchburg, VA (when Jim and his wife lived there)…and that was a short (roughly 2 mile) stretch of river between two low head dams.
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