Goodbye, Georgia photos

B.A.S.S. writer Don Barone bids farewell to LaGrange, Ga., and West Point Lake. These images are the memories he will carry with him.

<p>For me the West Point Lake Battle began with a gift of an Elvis Bobblehead and a young child's invite to her ballet recital...</p>
For me the West Point Lake Battle began with a gift of an Elvis Bobblehead and a young child’s invite to her ballet recital…
<p>...make no mistake, none of this would be possible without sponsors, and all of those nameless and faceless people who help us out...</p>
…make no mistake, none of this would be possible without sponsors, and all of those nameless and faceless people who help us out…
<p>...one of the best, hardest working stiffs on the tour, Bassmaster Classic winner Cliff Pace...you see that beat up lunchpail in front of him, it's vintage, it came from a working stiff, and at the end of the year I will give it to the hardest working stiff on the tour...</p>
…one of the best, hardest working stiffs on the tour, Bassmaster Classic winner Cliff Pace…you see that beat up lunchpail in front of him, it’s vintage, it came from a working stiff, and at the end of the year I will give it to the hardest working stiff on the tour…
<p>...but many of the anglers are also daddies...and onshore, their families wait...some come in soon...</p>
…but many of the anglers are also daddies…and onshore, their families wait…some come in soon…
...others check in on later flights...
…others check in on later flights…
...but always, the love ones wait.
…but always, the love ones wait.
Red hair and freckles...
Red hair and freckles…
...Mike Jacobs...please know that thousands of people all over the place take comfort in your strength. Godspeed my friend, may your journey be long and full of health, family and love.
…Mike Jacobs…please know that thousands of people all over the place take comfort in your strength. Godspeed my friend, may your journey be long and full of health, family and love.
<p>I put this in the gallery for my wife's male Shih Tzu, Riley...see, Riles, there is a reason to come out with us on the tour.</p>
I put this in the gallery for my wife’s male Shih Tzu, Riley…see, Riles, there is a reason to come out with us on the tour.
The lake was thirsty this week...
The lake was thirsty this week…
...and the anglers, and especially the Marshals with them, bore the brunt of it...but a huge shout out to all...
…and the anglers, and especially the Marshals with them, bore the brunt of it…but a huge shout out to all…
<p>...of you who came to cheer on the men who chase dreams one lake at a time...the Elites of B.A.S.S. Thank you.</p>
…of you who came to cheer on the men who chase dreams one lake at a time…the Elites of B.A.S.S. Thank you.