Chatuge says, Cheers to 50 years!

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During the 2018 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship at Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Ga., Black Velvet Whisky gave free tastes to folks 21 and older. In the year Bassmaster is celebrating its 50th anniversary we asked fans, “What are you celebrating today?” In the following photos and captions you’ll see their answers.
During the 2018 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship
at Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee, Ga., Black Velvet Whisky gave free tastes to folks 21 and older. In the year Bassmaster is celebrating its 50th anniversary we asked fans, “What are you celebrating today?” In the following photos and captions you’ll see their answers.
Fans began arriving early to see the sights and taste Black Velvet.
Fans began arriving early to see the sights and taste Black Velvet.
Some immediately began competing in the cornhole games, or bean bag toss, made just for Bassmaster tournaments.
Some immediately began competing in the cornhole games, or bean bag toss, made just for Bassmaster tournaments.
Who’s going to win this round, the girls or the boys?
Who’s going to win this round, the girls or the boys?
Based on their techniques, we’re betting on the girl team.
Based on their techniques, we’re betting on the girl team.
Our first taster of the day was Cody of Canton, N.C. What are you celebrating today? “Life man. I try to do that every day.”
Our first taster of the day was Cody of Canton, N.C.
What are you celebrating today?
“Life man. I try to do that every day.”
Brian (son), Tom (father), Ashville, N.C. What are you celebrating? “Just coming down here to see the Elites and getting some autographs.”
Brian (son), Tom (father), Ashville, N.C.
What are you celebrating?
“Just coming down here to see the Elites and getting some autographs.”
Matt, Duluth, Ga. What are you celebrating? “Bass fishing, 100 percent. I’m a Marshal this week. I’ve been out with Jason Christie and Clifford Pirch so far.”
Matt, Duluth, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“Bass fishing, 100 percent. I’m a Marshal this week. I’ve been out with Jason Christie and Clifford Pirch so far.”
Matt told us this is the fourth Bassmaster tournament where he has served as a Marshal.
Matt told us this is the fourth Bassmaster tournament where he has served as a Marshal. “I’m looking forward to the seminars today,” he said.
Some fans wanted to study the options before they got their taste.
Some fans wanted to study the options before they got their taste.
Melissa (left) and Toni, Ball Ground, Ga. What are you celebrating? “We’re camping here. Our sons are huge fisherman. We’re celebrating friendship and family. Bassmaster is 50? We’re both 50!”
Melissa (left) and Toni, Ball Ground, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re camping here. Our sons are huge fisherman. We’re celebrating friendship and family. Bassmaster is 50? We’re both 50!”
Cody and Justin, Hayesville, N.C. What are you celebrating? “We’re toasting friendship and bass fishing.”
Cody and Justin, Hayesville, N.C.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re toasting friendship and bass fishing.”
Casey, Lauren, Vanetta and David, North Georgia. What are you celebrating? “We’re celebrating David’s birthday.”
Casey, Lauren, Vanetta and David, North Georgia.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re celebrating David’s birthday.”
Jacob and Levi, Ducktown, Tenn. What are you celebrating? “We just started fishing tournaments together. We’ve got one tonight. We’re here to learn.”
Jacob and Levi, Ducktown, Tenn.
What are you celebrating?
“We just started fishing tournaments together. We’ve got one tonight. We’re here to learn.”
The Black Velvet team prepares for another wave of fans.
The Black Velvet team prepares for another wave of fans.
Tisch and Rob, Blairsville, Ga. What are you celebrating? “We’re here to see all the sponsors and meet the fishermen.”
Tisch and Rob, Blairsville, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re here to see all the sponsors and meet the fishermen.”
Meg, Rodney and George. Rodney and his wife hail from Ft. Worth, Texas. George and Meg live in Hayesville, N.C. What are you celebrating? “We’re celebrating friendship and being in God’s country,” said Rodney. “George and Meg retired here. We rode our motorcycles up here to see them.”
Meg, Rodney and George. Rodney and his wife hail from Ft. Worth, Texas. George and Meg live in Hayesville, N.C.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re celebrating friendship and being in God’s country,” said Rodney. “George and Meg retired here. We rode our motorcycles up here to see them.”
Rodney’s cornhole skills were legit. “I’ve fished a lot,” he said. “I’ve been a Bassmaster member forever.”
Rodney’s cornhole skills were legit. “I’ve fished a lot,” he said. “I’ve been a Bassmaster member forever.”
Mark from Black Velvet (center) made two fans very happy. That’s JR and Amy from Hiawassee, Ga. What are you celebrating? “We’re celebrating the great weather, and Lake Chatuge having a Bassmaster tournament.
Mark from Black Velvet (center) made two fans very happy. That’s JR and Amy from Hiawassee, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re celebrating the great weather, and Lake Chatuge having a Bassmaster tournament.”
Michelle and Clayton, Blue Ridge, Ga. What are you celebrating? “Life, and being happy. After this we’re going to go watch the Georgia Bulldogs play football.”
Michelle and Clayton, Blue Ridge, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“Life, and being happy. After this we’re going to go watch the Georgia Bulldogs play football.”
Tonya and Nick, Turtletown, Tenn. What are you celebrating? “We’re out here to celebrate fishing.”
Tonya and Nick, Turtletown, Tenn.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re out here to celebrate fishing.”
Rachel and Kevin, Jasper, Ga. What are you celebrating? “He lives and breathes fishing, and I’m fully supportive of that,” said Rachel.
Rachel and Kevin, Jasper, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“He lives and breathes fishing, and I’m fully supportive of that,” said Rachel.
Jessica and Shannon, Canton, N.C. What are you celebrating? “I’ve been a lifetime Bassmaster member since I was 16,” said Shannon. “We’re celebrating having fun with family, and enjoying having the Bassmasters in town.” By the way, their last name is Fish. How great is that!
Jessica and Shannon, Canton, N.C.
What are you celebrating?
“I’ve been a lifetime Bassmaster member since I was 16,” said Shannon. “We’re celebrating having fun with family, and enjoying having the Bassmasters in town.” By the way, their last name is Fish. How great is that!
Aaron and Tyler, Blairsville, Ga. What are you celebrating? “We’re cousins, and we do a lot of fishing. To have Bassmaster here at our lake is really special,” said Aaron.
Aaron and Tyler, Blairsville, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re cousins, and we do a lot of fishing. To have Bassmaster here at our lake is really special,” said Aaron.
Gary and Joyce, originally from Florida. What are you celebrating? “We retired, sold our home and bought an RV to travel the country,” said Joyce. “We’re camping this week on Bald Mountain. We like this kind of event, and we like whisky too.”
Gary and Joyce, originally from Florida.
What are you celebrating?
“We retired, sold our home and bought an RV to travel the country,” said Joyce. “We’re camping this week on Bald Mountain. We like this kind of event, and we like whisky too.”
Cobb, Todd and Lee, from Western North Carolina. What are you celebrating? “We’re celebrating Basmaster, and the best of the best fishing on our home lake,” said Todd.
Cobb, Todd and Lee, from Western North Carolina.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re celebrating Basmaster, and the best of the best fishing on our home lake,” said Todd.
John and Sally (front) with their daughter Cathy. Cathy lives in New York City and was in town visiting her parents who live on Lake Chatuge. What are you celebrating? “We’re celebrating, life, alcohol and fish. We’re big boaters,” said Sally.
John and Sally (front) with their daughter Cathy. Cathy lives in New York City and was in town visiting her parents who live on Lake Chatuge.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re celebrating, life, alcohol and fish. We’re big boaters,” said Sally.
Nick and Jaeann, Hayesville, N.C. What are you celebrating? “We’ve here to see the boats. We live on Lake Chatuge. We were out yesterday watching the anglers from our pontoon boat.”
Nick and Jaeann, Hayesville, N.C.
What are you celebrating?
“We’ve here to see the boats. We live on Lake Chatuge. We were out yesterday watching the anglers from our pontoon boat.”
Tyler and Drew, Hiawassee, Ga. What are you celebrating? “I love bass fishing,” said Drew. “He’s a boat mechanic,” said Tyler with a smile.
Tyler and Drew, Hiawassee, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“I love bass fishing,” said Drew. “He’s a boat mechanic,” said Tyler with a smile.
James and Elijah, Hayesville, Ga. What are you celebrating? “We’re cousins. We’re just celebrating being able to live on this lake, and live in this beautiful area.”
James and Elijah, Hayesville, Ga.
What are you celebrating?
“We’re cousins. We’re just celebrating being able to live on this lake, and live in this beautiful area.”
After fans tasted Black Velvet Whisky, some got back to playing the special version of cornhole. This one looks like a winner!
After fans tasted Black Velvet Whisky, some got back to playing the special version of cornhole. This one looks like a winner!