There were many adventures on the drive back from Grove to Tulsa, including a stop for a snowball fight, led by Nanook of the North, Canadian Dave Mercer. He actually likes this weather. But Steve Bowman guided Mercer, Jim Sexton and me safely to our hotel, finally.
On the way back, Classic competitor Jason Quinn passed us at one point with his boat in tow. It was 9:30, and Quinn had concluded a very short practice day on Grand Lake.
“I’m from South Carolina,” said Quinn. “I ain’t used to this stuff.”
The question now remains: How many more of the 53 Classic competitors have fled Grand Lake?
Surely, Russ Lane is long gone. He had to drag himself out there for the 7 a.m. takeoff.
“I’ve got pneumonia, and I had a reaction to the medicine they gave me,” said Lane, as he readied his tackle. “I’m 40 years old. I don’t know how many of these I’ll get to fish. They’ll have to carry me out of here.”
Even before it started snowing, Lane knew his day would be short.
“I’ve got a few things I want to check out,” he said. “Then I’m going to get off the water. I think I’ve got a pretty good plan (for the tournament).”
