Dawn to dusk at the Championship

Don Barone's perspective on the final day of the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

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My B.A.S.S. Nation Championship gig began as many of my Bassmaster gigs begin, in what may be my favorite time, early morning, right before first safe light. It's that time before launch when all things are possible, and here at the Nation Championship, for some of the competitors, it is the moment they have been dreaming about for years.
My B.A.S.S. Nation Championship gig began as many of my Bassmaster gigs begin, in what may be my favorite time, early morning, right before first safe light. It’s that time before launch when all things are possible, and here at the Nation Championship, for some of the competitors, it is the moment they have been dreaming about for years.
At this event, you see all kinds of boats being launched, this aluminum boat is piloted by Florida Contender, Chad Prough.
At this event, you see all kinds of boats being launched, this aluminum boat is piloted by Florida Contender, Chad Prough.
Love this shot…with 5 minutes to spare before check in, Ian MacDonald of Illinois stops to make 6 last cast before coming around the point and checking in. Way to go Ian, way to go.
Love this shot…with 5 minutes to spare before check in, Ian MacDonald of Illinois stops to make 6 last cast before coming around the point and checking in. Way to go Ian, way to go.
The competitors didn't have to sit there to long before...
The competitors didn’t have to sit there to long before…
…these trailers were hitched up and came to get them.
…these trailers were hitched up and came to get them.
And then these guys, and a bunch of other of my friends in the Service Crew, got to work fixin' what needed to be fixed. This is my buddy, Andy from Triton, he used to be a farmer in the past, the dude is a bear of a man, but one of the nicest guys I know...
And then these guys, and a bunch of other of my friends in the Service Crew, got to work fixin’ what needed to be fixed. This is my buddy, Andy from Triton, he used to be a farmer in the past, the dude is a bear of a man, but one of the nicest guys I know…
…this is
…this is “Nelly,” another big dude, but also a great friend, 7 years ago “Nelly” gave me a small pocket knife that he owned, I still have it but it is in a place of honor in my memorabilia cabinet and I will never part with it. Thanks Nell.
And this is my best friend in the service crew, Lee from Skeeter. As you can see he hates it when I swing the camera his way, sort of gives me the same look as my wife when I do it to her. Lee is from Texas, him and his wife have a couple of Harley's and a couple of dogs. Secret, every Tuesday when we are out on the road is my
And this is my best friend in the service crew, Lee from Skeeter. As you can see he hates it when I swing the camera his way, sort of gives me the same look as my wife when I do it to her. Lee is from Texas, him and his wife have a couple of Harley’s and a couple of dogs. Secret, every Tuesday when we are out on the road is my “Lunch With Lee,” day. We take turns buying, but we sit for an hour or so and just talk, talk about anything, it is by far one of my most favorite things of being on the tour. So as the service crew is fixing things other competitors are…

…in the service yard catching up on work or...
…in the service yard catching up on work or…
…some Zzzzzz's.
…some Zzzzzz’s.
While others take the time to tie on new lures or...
While others take the time to tie on new lures or…
…check out their rods and...
…check out their rods and…
…reels.
…reels.
15% of those who brought their home flags with them to the tournament were from other countries like these two...
15% of those who brought their home flags with them to the tournament were from other countries like these two…
…Japie & Elandi Botha from South Afirca who came to Louisiana for the tournament and met up with and became friends with this guy...
…Japie & Elandi Botha from South Afirca who came to Louisiana for the tournament and met up with and became friends with this guy…
…Monroe, Louisiana native, Joe Dee Dycus. Japie & Elandi became such good friends with Joe Dee that they went over to his house and Trick or Treated on Halloween. You can read about this pretty cool friendship in my story <a href=
…Monroe, Louisiana native, Joe Dee Dycus. Japie & Elandi became such good friends with Joe Dee that they went over to his house and Trick or Treated on Halloween. You can read about this pretty cool friendship in my story The pool man and the Afrikaners.
Another of the foreign flags fly over the Nation Championship came from this African country, Namibia…and was brought here by this guy...
Another of the foreign flags fly over the Nation Championship came from this African country, Namibia…and was brought here by this guy…
…Max Pieper who along with this guy...
…Max Pieper who along with this guy…
…Tim Johnston of Montana both beat all the odds on being here, you can catch their story, <a href=
…Tim Johnston of Montana both beat all the odds on being here, you can catch their story, Fishin’ The Desert.
This is a shot from the Sponsor dinner…that's me messin' with the sponsor dudes from Shimano who God knows why let me hang out at behind their sponsor table and...
This is a shot from the Sponsor dinner…that’s me messin’ with the sponsor dudes from Shimano who God knows why let me hang out at behind their sponsor table and…
…sign autographs for the contenders…down a ways in these photos you'll see how this came back to me on Championship Sunday.
…sign autographs for the contenders…down a ways in these photos you’ll see how this came back to me on Championship Sunday.
I took this photo of B.A.S.S. staff guy and the one who runs the college fishing program, Hank Weldon (my friends Trip & Mary Weldon's son) because I had no idea why he was sitting down there like that and then...
I took this photo of B.A.S.S. staff guy and the one who runs the college fishing program, Hank Weldon (my friends Trip & Mary Weldon’s son) because I had no idea why he was sitting down there like that and then…
…a video started to play. The video was for the non-profit group, Folds Of Honor, and as it played out I suddenly realized that the video was of the husband of the lady sitting there watching the screen…Major Troy Gilbert…and as she is watching it, and as I'm watching it…this comes up...
…a video started to play. The video was for the non-profit group, Folds Of Honor, and as it played out I suddenly realized that the video was of the husband of the lady sitting there watching the screen…Major Troy Gilbert…and as she is watching it, and as I’m watching it…this comes up…
…the fact that her husband, a pilot was killed in Afghanistan, and she gets up and describes how military people came to her house to tell her of his death, how it took months to find his body after the Taliban scum bags took it, how hard it is to raise her children without their dad, and then her oldest son gets up to say how much his father liked fishing and how he wished he could still fish with him...
…the fact that her husband, a pilot was killed in Afghanistan, and she gets up and describes how military people came to her house to tell her of his death, how it took months to find his body after the Taliban scum bags took it, how hard it is to raise her children without their dad, and then her oldest son gets up to say how much his father liked fishing and how he wished he could still fish with him…
…and I have to tell you there wasn't a dry eye in the house...
…and I have to tell you there wasn’t a dry eye in the house…
…including mine…this is pretty much what it looked like through my viewfinder as I tried to take a photo of Mrs. Gilbert.
…including mine…this is pretty much what it looked like through my viewfinder as I tried to take a photo of Mrs. Gilbert.
At the end, Mrs. Gilbert, her son, and the Folds Of Honor people got a standing
At the end, Mrs. Gilbert, her son, and the Folds Of Honor people got a standing “O.” You know 1% of our population protects the other 99% of us out here…so if you can, help out those who guard over us, you can do it through several military organizations or the fine folks at Folds Of Honor.
After the moving Folds Of Honor presentation contenders and their families dug in to some fine BBQ...
After the moving Folds Of Honor presentation contenders and their families dug in to some fine BBQ…
…me, after listening to Mrs. Gilbert…me I drowned myself behind this beverage table. Needed it. By the gallon.
…me, after listening to Mrs. Gilbert…me I drowned myself behind this beverage table. Needed it. By the gallon.
Fast forward to Saturday afternoon, 6 winners will be crowned, 6 Nation anglers will get a ticket to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic and people are coming early to find the best seat to watch the goings on...
Fast forward to Saturday afternoon, 6 winners will be crowned, 6 Nation anglers will get a ticket to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic and people are coming early to find the best seat to watch the goings on…
…as I walked around taking photos, and meeting folks, here with Brenda DeGree, the Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation Youth Director.
…as I walked around taking photos, and meeting folks, here with Brenda DeGree, the Oregon B.A.S.S. Nation Youth Director.
This is pretty funny…you take an old piece of cardboard…and a steep hill, or levee will work fine as well…and then….FAST FORWARD THROUGH THE NEXT 4 PHOTOS...
This is pretty funny…you take an old piece of cardboard…and a steep hill, or levee will work fine as well…and then….FAST FORWARD THROUGH THE NEXT 4 PHOTOS…
…you shove off...
…you shove off…
..and...
..and…
…hang on….sledding without snow by...
…hang on….sledding without snow by…
…Chloe Cavell….B.A.S.S. Nation competitor David Cavell's young daughter.
…Chloe Cavell….B.A.S.S. Nation competitor David Cavell’s young daughter.
Thought I would get in some casting time and next to me is Yamaha's Major Domo, and great friend, David Ittner. David did much better than I did, he didn't catch anything while I happened to catch, on an errant cast, the interpreter for team Mexico. Then suddenly...
Thought I would get in some casting time and next to me is Yamaha’s Major Domo, and great friend, David Ittner. David did much better than I did, he didn’t catch anything while I happened to catch, on an errant cast, the interpreter for team Mexico. Then suddenly…
….everything got plugged in...
….everything got plugged in…
…and the music came on...
…and the music came on…
…and the TV camera came to life as...
…and the TV camera came to life as…
…the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship contenders started to...
…the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship contenders started to…
…weigh fish.
…weigh fish.
Ah…do you think this is a fan from Louisiana.
Ah…do you think this is a fan from Louisiana.
No maybe's about it, for me, the best sign EVER for an angler who happens to be your Daddy…even if the sign is upside down. So as some in the crowd got excited right away...
No maybe’s about it, for me, the best sign EVER for an angler who happens to be your Daddy…even if the sign is upside down. So as some in the crowd got excited right away…
…others took a more relaxed approached…but then...
…others took a more relaxed approached…but then…
…the anglers started to cross the stage and suddenly...
…the anglers started to cross the stage and suddenly…
…everyone in the crowd...
…everyone in the crowd…
…started snapping...
…started snapping…
…photos of their...
…photos of their…
…favorite angler or...
…favorite angler or…
…husband.
…husband.
My friend, Tim, from Montana, did pretty well, 16th overall, 3rd in the Western Division, but unfortunately won't make back-to-back Bassmaster Classic Appearances.
My friend, Tim, from Montana, did pretty well, 16th overall, 3rd in the Western Division, but unfortunately won’t make back-to-back Bassmaster Classic Appearances.
Max from Namibia, in his country's first ever attempt, came in 47th overall, and 9th in the Mid-Atlantic Division but was the FIRST angler ever from his country to make it to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship so my new friend was pretty happy...
Max from Namibia, in his country’s first ever attempt, came in 47th overall, and 9th in the Mid-Atlantic Division but was the FIRST angler ever from his country to make it to the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship so my new friend was pretty happy…
…as he left the venue to begin his 48 hours of traveling to get back home.
…as he left the venue to begin his 48 hours of traveling to get back home.
And then came one of the more moving sights I've seen in awhile…this empty boat was pulled through the weigh-in line in memory of Idaho Nation President Jared Spickelmier who died in his sleep this week. To the Spickelmier family you have our condolences, and prayers.
And then came one of the more moving sights I’ve seen in awhile…this empty boat was pulled through the weigh-in line in memory of Idaho Nation President Jared Spickelmier who died in his sleep this week. To the Spickelmier family you have our condolences, and prayers.
This is Troy Diede of South Dakota weighing in, it was a close one but Troy finished 13th overall BUT 1st in the Northern Division and will be heading to compete in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. Funny story though...
This is Troy Diede of South Dakota weighing in, it was a close one but Troy finished 13th overall BUT 1st in the Northern Division and will be heading to compete in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic. Funny story though…
…you see that Bassmaster Pass hanging around his neck…look close and you can see a scribbled
…you see that Bassmaster Pass hanging around his neck…look close and you can see a scribbled “db” on the top left of it. On stage Troy told the story of how when I signed it for him I told him that me signing it guaranteed that he would catch fish…guess it worked.
One of my favorite shots…to me…this is the poster shot of what sportsmanship is all about. Teb Jones of Mississippi (the one with the hat on) had just beaten Albert Collins of Texas by about a pound and a half to win the Central Division and get a ticket to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, and yet both men are smiling as they hug, especially Al. For all you kids out there, this is how you play the game with respect for each other, no trash talk, just respect.
One of my favorite shots…to me…this is the poster shot of what sportsmanship is all about. Teb Jones of Mississippi (the one with the hat on) had just beaten Albert Collins of Texas by about a pound and a half to win the Central Division and get a ticket to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, and yet both men are smiling as they hug, especially Al. For all you kids out there, this is how you play the game with respect for each other, no trash talk, just respect.
Another favorite shot, Coby Carden of Alabama had just lost the overall lead in the tournament, he ended up coming in second, 1st in the Southern Division, but up on stage, in an emotional minute, as he thanked his wife for all she does to help him so he can fish, as he tried to say that he got all choked up. Kids, no athlete makes it on his own, take the time to thank those closest to you who help make it all happen. Props to you Coby.
Another favorite shot, Coby Carden of Alabama had just lost the overall lead in the tournament, he ended up coming in second, 1st in the Southern Division, but up on stage, in an emotional minute, as he thanked his wife for all she does to help him so he can fish, as he tried to say that he got all choked up. Kids, no athlete makes it on his own, take the time to thank those closest to you who help make it all happen. Props to you Coby.
The exact moment of...
The exact moment of…
…victory. This is that one second in time when my friend Jeff Lugar of Virginia found out he was going to fish in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic…a back-to-back appearance.
…victory. This is that one second in time when my friend Jeff Lugar of Virginia found out he was going to fish in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic…a back-to-back appearance.
But this is the guy who was the overall winner...
But this is the guy who was the overall winner…
…Paul Mueller of Connecticut…who also will make back-to-back Classics, last year he came in 2nd on the Classic stage but this year...
…Paul Mueller of Connecticut…who also will make back-to-back Classics, last year he came in 2nd on the Classic stage but this year…
…when he won the Nation Championship he also won the The Bryan Kerchal Memorial Trophy. Brian won the 1994 Bassmaster Classic but was killed in a plane crash only 5 months later. Brian, like Paul, was from Connecticut so the trophy that bears his name, will be heading home, and if you don't think that means much...
…when he won the Nation Championship he also won the The Bryan Kerchal Memorial Trophy. Brian won the 1994 Bassmaster Classic but was killed in a plane crash only 5 months later. Brian, like Paul, was from Connecticut so the trophy that bears his name, will be heading home, and if you don’t think that means much…
…this is my great friend Sylvia Morris, President of the Connecticut Nation, and good friend of Brian Kerchal as well, a very strong lady trying very hard to compose herself, that's how important that win by Paul Mueller, how important the Bryan Kerchal trophy comes home to Bryan's home state.
…this is my great friend Sylvia Morris, President of the Connecticut Nation, and good friend of Brian Kerchal as well, a very strong lady trying very hard to compose herself, that’s how important that win by Paul Mueller, how important the Bryan Kerchal trophy comes home to Bryan’s home state.
So in the end, all 6 winners raise their trophies, and hopes to win the 2015 Bassmaster Classic...
So in the end, all 6 winners raise their trophies, and hopes to win the 2015 Bassmaster Classic…
…and take a selfie with Bassmaster Host, Dave Mercer.
…and take a selfie with Bassmaster Host, Dave Mercer.
As the day began in the dark of the early morning at launch, it comes to an end under the glorious Louisiana sunset. To all my cajun friends, to all the anglers, to the B.A.S.S. Nation…thank you for the memories, thank you for the magic you always bring to my life between dawn, and dusk.
As the day began in the dark of the early morning at launch, it comes to an end under the glorious Louisiana sunset. To all my cajun friends, to all the anglers, to the B.A.S.S. Nation…thank you for the memories, thank you for the magic you always bring to my life between dawn, and dusk.