Max Leatherwood’s passing affected those of us who worked with him at B.A.S.S. — it’s hard to lose a co-worker and tougher to see a friend go.
But he touched the lives of so many others in the bass fishing world, who received a sunny glimpse of him simply by going through one of the lines he was working. While Max might have looked tough and had a movie star tough name, he was a kind, gentle soul.
I found it a joy to follow Max around at the 2013 Classic for a story on his Bump Station. He never complained once about dipping his hands into the frigid water, and he got in a good goof on Kevin VanDam. The story ended with a question on if he was a good club angler. “No,” he responded. “That’s why I’m here.”
That article elicited a comment from Mike Mulone, the event/tourism director at B.A.S.S.
“Max is one of the nicest guys I know,” he wrote, which was something I regretted not including in the story. “He is a non-stop worker from the time we park our Tundras, to building the stage to tearing it all down. Kind and considerate, I’m happy to call him a co-worker and proud to call him a friend.”
That’s about what everybody saw in him — nose to the grindstone but was always free with his smile or a funny comment. Just ask Don Barone, who penned this wonderful tribute to Max.
We can all hope to have this kind of response to our passing. There’s been story shares, heartfelt comments and passionate RIPs. Let’s take a look at some of the sentiments he elicited:
“There are probably a lot of pro fishing fans who never met Max Leatherwood. But he played an incredibly important role behind the scenes at tournaments as a B.A.S.S. contract employee — and he was one of the nicest, hardest-working guys I’ve ever met in the industry. He lost his battle with cancer this morning. For once, I hope he’s somewhere resting easy.” — Bryan Brasher
“We lost a great one today…. I know he’s in a better place. Praying that his family finds comfort in the great man he was! He touched many lives always in a positive way! He will be missed greatly!” — Jon Stewart
“Max filled the shoes of Poole and Pee Wee with grace, dignity, a smile and always a kind word. Thank you my friend. May you Rest In Peace knowing you touched us all.” — Dave Mansue
“My heart is breaking, Max you were like a brother to me! I’ll miss you.” — David Ittner
“I hope his family can feel the LOVE EVERYONE had for Max .. .and in some small way, it helps them thru their loss … He may be gone – but that man will NEVER be forgotten.” — Barb Elliott
“A big hole in the universe has been created by his passing. He was a man of simple truth and integrity. You couldn’t help but like Max from the moment you first met him.” — Paul Hudson
“The best there was on the road! Miss him like a brother! Proud to have known Max Leatherwood!!!” — John Norris
“I am so thankful that I had the privilege of spending so much time with him during the WBT and other series during my time at B.A.S.S. He was very, very special.” — Deborah Kroh
“This truly breaks my heart. My time fishing with B.A.S.S. was always brightened by Max’s smile. Such a great man and he will be missed. Prayers for all.” — Jan Heavener
“Man I hate to hear that. Max was a prince.” — Woo Daves
“He was a special person. Love ya Max. Fly High Buddy.” — Jennifer Lowen
“Absolutely heartbreaking. … I’ll definitely miss seeing you behind the stage ‘babe.’ Rest easy brother.” — Trevor Lo
“We lost a good one today. R.I.P Max.” — Matt Herren
“The B.A.S.S. family and anyone who knew him is better for having known Max. He will be missed. Peace Max.” — Gene Gilliland
“Sad … there are never enough good guys. It hurts to lose one of them.” — Melissa Clunn
“Of all the BASS staff I have ever met at many Nationals, Max was the friendliest person … he made waiting in line that much easier on everyone … he will be missed greatly by all …” — Doug Ferguson
“Sorry to hear about Max. Always a nice face in a teddy bear gruff exterior.” — Rick Pierce
We at B.A.S.S appreciate all the kind thoughts expressed toward our fallen colleague. He sure helped put us all in a good light.
THE BOURNE ULTIMATE AT ICAST 2016
Leatherwood’s death, along with ICAST next week, brings to mind another great one lost — Wade Bourne. During the opening of the New Product Showcase last year, Bourne was given what he called the greatest honor of his 40 years covering the outdoors — the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award.
“I knew Homer Circle well and to be associated with his name, for me, it’s the highlight of my career … I’m honored and I’m humbled,” he told me for this article.
It wasn’t long after that Bourne ran down my address and sent the kindest email.
“Just a word of thanks for the very nice piece you wrote about my receiving the Homer Circle award for Bassmaster.com. I appreciate your covering this. I’ve had a large number of responses from people who read your story … It was also good meeting you. …. I look forward to seeing you again sometime, somewhere down the road.”
Those words are still hard to swallow after he died in December, but yeah, I look forward to seeing him — hopefully way down the road.
ICAST JUST A FEW CASTS AWAY FOR LANE
Living in Lakeland, Fla., Bobby Lane is among the closest of ICAST attendees, just one county over. And next week’s industry-only monster show is something he looks forward to.
“I love it that it’s in Orlando,” Lane said. “It’s just nice to be on break and to walk around and see everybody on a more personal basis, instead of on the water when you’re all tensed up and fishing. It’s a lot more enjoyable.”
There’s pleasure in knowing the Elite season is heading for the home stretch and that there’s interaction with the competitors at nice dinners while wearing suits and ties. For someone who spends long days standing on the front deck of his boat, Lane said being on his feet for 8 plus hours walking the aisles is about the only negative.
“I’ve been getting into saltwater a lot more, so I can’t wait to see what’s new out there,” he said. “I’ve got a couple meetings, but it should be a fun.”
Like most Elites, Lane’s dance card is rather full. He fishes Monday with sponsors, then has a golf outing Tuesday with more before the show actually opens on Wednesday. He’ll be found at his sponsor’s booths and scouting for any free time to look at products being introduced he might use.
“You name it and I’ll be there,” Lane said. “I’ve got a long list. I get an hour break each day for lunch, and that’s it. I’m slammed start to finish. It’s what’s we do. That’s fishing.”
BIG BASS, BEST PHOTO WRAPPED INTO ONE
Wow, young man, that’s one heckuva fish.
That’s Rein Golubjatnikov of Pittsford, N.Y., and the eighth-grader landed this 8-pound, 2-ounce lunker to anchor his big bag on Day 1 of the Costa Bassmaster Junior Championship presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Perhaps him only weighing 85 pounds makes his personal best look bigger. Anyway you look at it, that was quite an impressive catch on Carroll County 1,000 Acre Recational Lake in Huntingdon, Tenn.
Golubjatnikov, 13, said they don’t have bass like that in New York, and he couldn’t find its roommate on Day 2 as he finished second. Even so, he was thrilled.
“I was really excited,” he told Andy Canulette for this story. “It was really cool to catch a fish that big. It was like a once in a lifetime thing.”
You better hope not, Rein. Here’s to hoping you hook into another big’un soon.