The next featured participant in this series just narrowly made the cut as my boy, Jayce, made his appearance back on May 28, 2009. It sure didn’t take long for the little guy to get a look at the big boys of bass fishing at barely two weeks old. Fast forward and he is presently getting it done himself.
June 12, 2009 – Fort Madison, IA – Bassmaster River Rumble
Me and my newest angler pose with Kevin VanDam’s truck and boat.
This shot comes from a family outing to watch the Bassmaster Elite Series weigh-in at Riverview Park in Fort Madison, IA. Quite a trick with a four-year old, a two-year old and their brand new, fifteen day old little brother.
Quotes from the original June 17, 2009 post:
“At various times during our journey, I felt like patting myself on the back with one hand and slapping myself upside the head with the other.”
“The spectacle for me was what I would call a ‘Wrigley Field moment.’ You can watch it on television, look at the pictures or see it in print, but being there takes your breath away every time. One of those goosebump, loss for words and can’t wipe the smile off of your face experiences; I felt like a fourth little kid in our party despite being a month away from turning forty-two.”
“I also killed some time watching Takahiro Omori (Japanese born angler and 2004 Bassmaster Classic winner) as he checked his equipment and filled his reels with fresh line as Julie was nursing Jayce (discreetly) in our car a mere fifteen feet away. How cool is that?”
July 26, 2019 – Lake Storey – Knox County, IL
So the kid I was holding in the first picture is now holding his own bass. One that he caught by selecting a lure, choosing a spot, making a cast, recognizing a bite, setting the hook, winning the battle and hauling his catch aboard. In fact, he did it four times under less than ideal dog day conditions on a challenging lake as those Lake Storey bass are a wary bunch. A proud Dad moment and from the look on Jayce’s face in this photo I believe he was also feeling pretty good about his accomplishment.
Oh, by the way, Jayce outfished me four to zero on this day, didn’t bother me a bit.
Talk to you later. Troy