eBassFish.com Warriors On The Water

Warriors On The Water
by Monica Altman

A Report from the W.O.W (Warriors On The Water) Tournament
Held May 11 on Lake Jordan in North Carolina

Colors being presented and national anthem before take off

Besides the excitement of fishing my first tournament as a boater, it was an honor and privilege to be involved in such a worth while endeavor. I had cold chills as the national anthem was sung and the flyover of a C130.

Monica waits for "blast-off"

The look of enjoyment and gratitude on the servicemen and women's faces was so rewarding. All of the servicemen and women kept telling us thank you over and over again, when in reality we should have been the ones thanking them. If it were not for all of their sacrifices and heroic efforts, myself and so many others would not be able to do what we love to do day after day.

Monica Altman with Major Michael McCleish

There were 149 boats in the tournament. Everyone was a winner, whether you caught fish or not. I fished with Major Michael McCleish. I was very impressed that someone so young could be a major and have so much knowledge. He especially knew a lot about fishing. We had a tremendous day on the water. He and I caught many fish, but none were keepers.

There were two highlights for me during the event. The first, when the Major had to climb up on a bridge to get a keepsake lure un-hung from a dangling rope; and the second, me almost falling in the lake first thing, when my trolling motor cord broke into. Thanks to the major's military knowledge, he saved the day, by helping me put it all back together. And off we go to the next spot.

It was the most rewarding day I have ever spent on the water. I truly hope that next year and in the future that more WBT anglers can become involved in this worth-while event.

If anyone is interested in participating next year, would like to see the highlights of this year's event or you are interested in being a sponsor go to www.warriorsonthewater.com

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.