Waiting for registration to begin

We are sitting here, waiting for the registration to begin. It's still an hour away but the anglers are starting to filter in. Many of them have mentioned, "I've never fished in weather like this."

 

And, as many as have said that, just as many have responded, "Why would you?"

 

The answer, of course, is "It's the Bassmaster Classic."

 

Any other tournament would probably produce a weather delay. This one? No way.

 

This is my 27th or 28th Classic. At my age, you can forgive me for not having my math in order. Too many other things to keep up with these days. But I don't remember it ever being quite this brutal. I can remember a cancelled practice day because of a hurricane at Baltimore. I can remember a little snow here in 2008 and a lot of snow at Grand Lake. But ice is another thing. And with temperatures promising to be in the single digits, this one will set the bar.

 

In all the previous Classics, we've learned something from our anglers on catching and finding fish. That's sure to happen at this Classic, although what you learn may not be useful if you don't get out in these conditions. It will be wisdom for wisdom's sake. Like the guy said:  "Why would you?"

 

Meanwhile, I hope to learn some better ways to stay warm. I'm sure we will get a ton of ideas on that. They can come in handy in the duck blind or deer stand. Although we will be on the water following every move, I'm sure whatever I learn won't be for the bass boat anytime soon.