I’m back from LakeNorman. I didn’t set the world on fire but I did learn a few things about deep, clear weed-free lakes that’ll come in handy next week at Bull Shoals. I don’t know a thing about it. I don’t care much about that, though. Bass fishing is what we do — find them and catch them.
We’re also in our new house. We’d been renting one on Guntersville but we decided to buy one. That’s really everyone’s dream, and we want to be a part of it. I like it as much or more for the family as I do for myself. They don’t get the publicity and recognition — I’m talking about all the anglers’ families — that they deserve. They earned it with their hard work and tears, at least in my case.
The best part about this one is that it’s right down the street from where we used to live. Everything’s the same except for our new home. The kids are in the same school, and we’re all in a community we know and call home. The only thing that’s a little different, something I didn’t think through, was my new honey-do list.
I’ve been working on that darn thing since I got home, I mean working hard. It’s getting a little shorter but I have a feeling it’ll start growing again when I go to Arkansas. I’m not for sure but I think those things are related to spring dandelions. No matter how many times you cut them down they come back, and then they come back again, and then again. Nevertheless, I thank the Lord I have a good woman to make one for me. I’d be lost otherwise.
And speaking of Arkansas, I’ll be getting everything together starting Wednesday for the trip. I have to leave early because I’m working with the Children’s Miracle Network on Thursday and Friday at BeaverLake. It’s called The NW Arkansas Charity Bass Fishing Tournament. I’m looking forward to it. Next Tuesday I’ll let you know all about what we did and how we tried to make a difference.
It’s not just me, though. Mark Zona, Tommy Sanders, Jerry McKinnis, several Elite pros and a number of other B.A.S.S. people will be there. There’ll be a silent auction and a Fish with a Pro opportunity, too. If you can participate, we’d love to see you there. Most important of all, at least to me, there’ll be a dinner provided by Catfish John’s. Check it all out at www.beaverlakeboaters.net.
Early on I said that the one thing we wanted to do was make a difference to kids. If we can do that, everything will be a success; if we fail at that, not so much. It’s not just that it helps the future of fishing, although that’s important. There’s more to it than that. It helps the future of everyone, regardless of what they do for a hobby or how they earn their living.
We’ll talk again next week. I need to go. Honey-do lists and dandelions never stop growing.