eBassFish.comThat's My Story

"That's My Story and I 'm Sticking To It"
by Carolyn Poole

This happened to me not once but twice at Lake Lewisville, TX, with keeper bass. The first time was at the preview event during practice days, then the next time during thereturn tournament. I will start with the tournament. I draw out with Renee Brisendine, a sweet and wonderful co-angler; of course all the co-anglers and anglers that I have fished with are precious and very dear to me. I wouldn’t take anything for the friendships that I gain on each one of these tours I fish.

Mean while, back at the trailer park, as Renee and I were in the water waiting for our number to be called out for take off, we were carrying on our conversation and getting to know each other. Renee, said Carolyn, now just let me know if there is anything that you want me to do to help you with your fish, I will be more than happy to do anything you want me. I said, thank you so much, but I have enough energy for both of us, I will probable just sling it on the boat.

Well, thank God for “Sling it on the boat”. We were fishing on some rocks when a big four pound bass hit my crank bait, and there I was, reeling that sucker in, when my reel slid to the side of my rod. I was holding my reel on my rod and reeling at the same time. Renee, said Carolyn what can I do, I said do worry, I’ll get’er, boy she was fighting and running all around the boat. I finally got her close enough to get’er up to the boat and sling her in. We were so excited, jumping up and down, hooting and hollering. Renee, said Carolyn, you better get her in the water before she dies. You’re right I said. Well, I guess after that commotion, we scared the rest of them off. It was a Kodak moment alright.

The day I was practicing, I was alone when the same thing happened to me, I said nobody will ever believe this, so I took a picture of the bass before I throw her back. Where was she during the tournament???? Makes you sick, don’t it. That’s why they call it fishing, not catching.

Congratulations Donna Rutledge of Orland Park, Illinois on her 2nd place finish in the Bassmaster Weekend Series Co-Angler Division on Pools 4 & 5 Mississippi River in Wabasha, Minnesota July 25th.

The 9th Annual “Legends of the Outdoors” National Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony - will take place Saturday, August 14 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in beautiful downtown Nashville, TN. The doors will open at 10:00 a.m., enabling guests to socialize with Honorees and other attending “Legends of the Outdoors” members - the Banquet and Induction Ceremony will begin at noon.

The 2010 Induction Class consists of Judy Wong, Charlie Ingram, Peggy Vallery, Dick Cabela, Mary Cabela, and Jack Minor – posthumously. In addition, Ducks Unlimited will be recognized as the 2010 “American Outdoor Organization of the Year.”

Congratulations to Melinda Mize of Ben Lomond, Arkansas for winning the recent Bassmaster Weekend Series event on Lake Millwood, Arkansas. Click here to read story.

FLW co-angler Judy Israel of Wimauma, Florida retired in May after 14 years of tournament fishing. She retired as the only female co-angler to win 2 events on the FLW Tour. During her career she had 15 Top 10 finishes.

Congratulations to Dianna Clark of Bumpus Mills, Tennessee for her 5th place finish in the Bassmaster Central Open on the Red River June 5th.

Check out the Raleigh, NC News and Observer to read an article about women's bass fishing featuring comments from former North Carolina WBT anglers Monica Altman, Renee Brisendine, Susan Orton and Linda Berry.