I was watching the 2012 Bassmaster Classic a few days ago, and I thought it was awesome to see Chris Lane and his brother, Bobby, celebrate Chris’s victory together. As they were jumping around and hugging, I could tell that it was a team victory. What makes it more special is that they were tied after Day One. It is pretty neat that they share the same love of bass fishing, and both have made successful careers of it.
Similar to the Lane brothers, my brother and I have been fishing together since we were 2 or 3 years old. It has always been something that has kept us close. We grew up fishing team tournaments together, and now we travel together when we fish the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens. We talk to each other daily, and it is usually about fishing. I believe my brother and I will be right where the Lanes are in a few years.
What makes our relationship special is that we are each other’s biggest fans. He cheers me on when I’m doing well, and I cheer him on when he is doing well. If we have bad tournaments, we can talk about it and always learn from our mistakes.
This week, I have been the fan. I have been landscaping all week while Jordan is fishing the FLW event on Lake Hartwell. While I was slaving away at my job, I was constantly wondering if Jordan was finding them during his practice. He would call me several times a day to let me know how they were biting.
On Tuesday, the final day of practice, he got them pretty dang good! During one call, he actually got a bite and caught a big one while I was on the phone with him. I was so pumped up that I couldn’t even focus on my landscape project. Later that night, he told me that he just had one of the days where he couldn’t do anything wrong. That is the kind of days that the both of us dream about having on the last day of practice.
Today is the first day of the event, and I am chomping at the bit to get that phone call after he weighs in. I really hope he catches them big time. I am his biggest fan this week, and I know he will return the favor next week when I fish in my first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament.
For our entire lives, our goal and dream has been to fish the Bassmaster Elites together. This year, we stand a pretty god chance of making that happen. Jordan is sitting pretty high in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open standings. If all goes to plan and he does well in the last two Opens, we will be the second brother duo on the Elites.
Remember to chase your dreams!