Crappie Masters visit part two.

So I've finally got around to writing part two of the Crappie Masters story I started last week (part 1 here). You would think that since I was camping all week long I would have had time to write it. But those, all too hospitable, Georgians at Lake Blackshear kept me busy either eating, fishing or listening to stories, and that's a story for another time. Hopefully I'll get to that one sooner rather than later.
Saturday at the Crappie Masters was so cool. They have a Kids Fishing Rodeo, and they give away prizes to the the kids that catch the most fish, for various age groups. It's free and they give away all sorts of cool Bass Pro Shop stuff. The winners receive prizes, and additionally, every child gets a grab bag of fishing related goodies.

The "Weigh in" and Kids Fishing Rodeo were held at the Alabama Wildlife Federations Lanark location. Jimmy Harris, AWD-ANC Director, gave us a tour of their facilities and I was very impressed. If you have never visited it, please find a way to do so. It will be well worth the trip. The Pond where the Kids Rodeo was held was loaded with fish. The kids loved it, catching fish on an almost a constant basis. As I stood there on the sidelines, all it took was a couple minutes before someone nearby caught a Catfish or a Brim. Their eyes just lit up. Below is a picture of all the kids that competed. Quite a turnout.


Below is a picture of one of the teaching ponds where the AWF let classes of children wade and find all sorts of insects and larvae to analyze. First hand education, teaching our children to love and respect nature. It's a great thing, and its also a beautiful place.


OK, so on to the rest of the Crappie Masters festivities. It was time for the weigh in. Now remember, I've never been to an event like this. It was so cool and professional. The Channel 8 TV crew was there (and also channel 12 I believe). Here they are interviewing Jimmy Harris before the fishermen arrived for weighing in:


I was able to get my picture taken with Tim Huffman and TJ Stallings. Both great guys that I've become good friends with. I have a lot to learn from those two professionals. Tim is a professional writer (if you are a crappie fisherman, you certainly have read one of his many articles or books), and TJ is a professional steward of fishermen everywhere. TJ works for TTI Blakemore.





So, like I said in the previous article, fishing on the Alabama River was tough, very tough. The water level dropped over a foot from one day of fishing to the next. But Whitey Outlaw and Mike Parrott managed to pull out a win.


My media day fishing partners, Jim and Barbara Reedy came in a respectable 10th place. Good job Jim and Barb.

All in all, it was a great experience. I would encourage those that have never been to a Crappie Masters event to go to one at their earliest opportunity. It's a wonderful and very professionally held event. You'll get to schmooze with the pro's, and you'll get to see some nice slabs. Even with my Yankee accent, I was welcomed with open arms. You have to love Crappie Fishermen, they are the friendliest people you'll ever meet.