March 11, 2011
Harris Chain, Day Two
I came into this tournament just hoping to salvage the first day. I didn't have a strong practice and felt if I could weather the first day, things would get better.
Unfortunately, I didn't really manage to salvage the first day. It was pretty bad for me, and I've got a lot of ground to make up today (Friday). I'm currently tied for 75th with just 9 pounds — about 11 1/2 pounds off the lead and well out of the cut to fish Saturday unless things pick up.
I have some major work to do today, but it can be done. I've done it before and will do it again. It all gets back to living in the moment, not getting too up or too down and making the most of each day on the water.
If you can do those things, you can be a successful tournament angler.
And part of doing those things is just keeping the tasks and challenges you have in perspective. You can look at my situation in a couple of different ways: (1) I'm in 75th with less than half what the leader has, so I need to make a big move right away or (2) it's a four-day event, I'm just a couple of big bites out of it and the important thing is to make some progress today.
I choose the second perspective. You should, too, in your tournaments … unless, of course, they're one-day events. Then you have no choice but to go for it.
It's important to keep a positive attitude. Without it, almost nothing good can happen for you. As tough as my first day was, I didn't take myself completely out of the tournament. With a good day today, I can make the cut and keep fishing — survive and advance.
After a day like yesterday, you have to regroup, analyze your day and think about the corrections and changes that must be made to do better the next day. I've done that, and I'm optimistic.
I'm hopeful that things will go my way today. With the passage of the front and cooler temperatures, fishing should be tougher today, and I like that. A good bag could move me way up.
Yesterday is history. It was a challenge. I was one big bite away from a good day, but I didn't get that opportunity. I can't do anything about it now.
It's time to make the most of today.