db: Off day

In light of Day 2 of the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship's cancellation, db reaches into his personal scrapbook to share some of his favorite images.

Okay, so competition got cancelled today. If you go down to the marina, you are only going to see boats like this around and not...
Okay, so competition got cancelled today. If you go down to the marina, you are only going to see boats like this around and not…
…boats like this. As much as we wanted to say
…boats like this. As much as we wanted to say “Ready, set, go!” we couldn’t.
Big winds on the big lake, supposed to blow up to 25 mph, which will make the flags stand out straight. Just too dangerous to send...
Big winds on the big lake, supposed to blow up to 25 mph, which will make the flags stand out straight. Just too dangerous to send…
…the Elite anglers out, so in lieu of game day stuff, I've put together a small photo gallery of some of my OWN personal shots; photos I take at the events that I just keep for myself, photos that will be special to me when I hang up the laptop. We begins with K-Pink, the first Elite angler I ever met who has become a lifelong friend, along with his wife, K-2.
…the Elite anglers out, so in lieu of game day stuff, I’ve put together a small photo gallery of some of my OWN personal shots; photos I take at the events that I just keep for myself, photos that will be special to me when I hang up the laptop. We begins with K-Pink, the first Elite angler I ever met who has become a lifelong friend, along with his wife, K-2.
I have to tell you, I have been doing this for 7 or 8 years now and I never fail to stop and take a photo of when the boats are all lined up.
I have to tell you, I have been doing this for 7 or 8 years now and I never fail to stop and take a photo of when the boats are all lined up.
To me, there is beauty in this shot, sportsmanship in this shot. When I'm gone from here, I will print a shot like this out and paste it in the scrapbook and title it
To me, there is beauty in this shot, sportsmanship in this shot. When I’m gone from here, I will print a shot like this out and paste it in the scrapbook and title it “The Anticipation Lap.”
Shots like these will also be pasted into the scrapbook. Steve Kennedy, also a friend-for-life, is playing games with me here. But know this about Steve: a genius on the water, but also a friend who, when I was in the hospital in January, was going to drive up from Alabama to bust me out because he was afraid I was going to get sicker. Photos like these are seared in my memory, as are...
Shots like these will also be pasted into the scrapbook. Steve Kennedy, also a friend-for-life, is playing games with me here. But know this about Steve: a genius on the water, but also a friend who, when I was in the hospital in January, was going to drive up from Alabama to bust me out because he was afraid I was going to get sicker. Photos like these are seared in my memory, as are…
…photos like this one. Here, buddy Casey Ashley: a tremendous singer, a stick with a guitar, a stick with a rod and a reel. These guys are extraordinary anglers but, off the field, they are exceptional people as well. Just as talented on land as they are on water.
…photos like this one. Here, buddy Casey Ashley: a tremendous singer, a stick with a guitar, a stick with a rod and a reel. These guys are extraordinary anglers but, off the field, they are exceptional people as well. Just as talented on land as they are on water.
Part of team Lintner, also a photo for the scrapbook. I'm going to be doing a story about Jared Lintner soon: a real stud high school basketball player in California who was offered full-ride scholarships to play hoops at D-1 schools all over the country, but choose a small Junior College near his home. His answer when I asked why: He just pointed to that lady siting in the boat with him and said,
Part of team Lintner, also a photo for the scrapbook. I’m going to be doing a story about Jared Lintner soon: a real stud high school basketball player in California who was offered full-ride scholarships to play hoops at D-1 schools all over the country, but choose a small Junior College near his home. His answer when I asked why: He just pointed to that lady siting in the boat with him and said, “Her, who would become my wife, and give me three great kids. It was a no-brainer.” You would put this photo in the scrapbook as well.
And then there is this guy. In all of the professional sports I have covered, in just about all the life I have covered, I have never met anyone with a bigger heart. Gerald and I are like brothers-from-other-mothers; we love each other, we fight with each other. He's mad at me right now, but we still love each other and I know that he would be the first one in the foxhole to protect me. The front page of the scrapbook will be reserved for but a few…and the G-Man will be one of them.
And then there is this guy. In all of the professional sports I have covered, in just about all the life I have covered, I have never met anyone with a bigger heart. Gerald and I are like brothers-from-other-mothers; we love each other, we fight with each other. He’s mad at me right now, but we still love each other and I know that he would be the first one in the foxhole to protect me. The front page of the scrapbook will be reserved for but a few…and the G-Man will be one of them.
Most of these following shots will never make the news, but they are the kind of shots that are near and dear to me. One day, they will also be pasted on the page. You may think I'm kidding when I say it is a family out here...but here, it is.
Most of these following shots will never make the news, but they are the kind of shots that are near and dear to me. One day, they will also be pasted on the page. You may think I’m kidding when I say it is a family out here…but here, it is.
I knew this young lady smiling at me before she was a young lady, before she was even born.
I knew this young lady smiling at me before she was a young lady, before she was even born. “So-So” and her younger brother, “SJ,” have become pretty much adopted grandbabies of Barb and mine. Whenever I see them they run up and hug and kiss me. Front page scrapbook, right here. Love them as they are my own. I only feel sad that they are so young and I’m so old that I will miss the walk down the aisle, but the scrapbook will always be with me.
Ss will the memories of the classy way these guys treat the fans...
Ss will the memories of the classy way these guys treat the fans…
…and us, the dreaded media.
…and us, the dreaded media.
So as soon as the weather clears, it will be back to B.A.S.S.
So as soon as the weather clears, it will be back to B.A.S.S.
The media will also be back in full swing as well. (BTW…this is a guy called Bowman, a front page of the scrapbook guy. It is this dude who brought me into this sport.)
The media will also be back in full swing as well. (BTW…this is a guy called Bowman, a front page of the scrapbook guy. It is this dude who brought me into this sport.)
And these guys will start smiling and get back on the water so they can...
And these guys will start smiling and get back on the water so they can…
…once again dazzle you on stage.
…once again dazzle you on stage.
Until then, be safe, and thank you for the support you show this sport and all of us. And yes, Michael will be front and center, page 1, in the scrapbook of those personal photos I will always keep.
Until then, be safe, and thank you for the support you show this sport and all of us. And yes, Michael will be front and center, page 1, in the scrapbook of those personal photos I will always keep.