Lo and behold – a friend who owns Uncle Gus Marina & Sales on Lake Whitney south of Dallas (TX) happened to have just taken on Champion Boats – my sponsor for the last ten or so years before I retired. He happened to be in a pinch needing Champion pros to help to work the Dallas Summer Boat Show, since most were competing in major events elsewhere. We struck a good deal for both of us.  Now, I’ll be fishing the Red River out of a beautiful 2007 Champion with all the bells and whistles and have my expenses paid plus a nice profit.  

Anytime we can offset expenses with a sponsor, drive a few hours and compete for a title and a boat valued at $50,000 or prize money and awards, it’s good business sense. One thing I am discovering that should bring a smile to everyone’s faces is that instead of my approaching industry sponsors only for an annual contract, I’m finding better success by approaching them on a per tournament basis. They seem to be much more willing to spend, for instance - $3-$5,000 per event than $25K per year.  So that might be something of a new twist in sponsorships to consider. You end up with one major sponsor – PR and exposure targets are streamlined – it’s a lot easier and better for all. But you could line up several sponsors for each event- up to the individual.

By the way, Uncle Gus Marina & Sales is open to possibly adding to their pro staff. If you live near enough to have them as your boat dealer and would be interested in such a position with Champion Boats, contact James Selman or Thurman Selman at Uncle Gus Marina & Sales: 254-622-3333 * 151 County Road 1715, Clifton, TX  76634. They are about 100 miles south of Dallas and looking at adding some pro staffers. If you need any help putting a proposal together, I’ll be happy to help you. Email me at: kmagers@ectisp.net. 

Never stop looking for sponsors. There’s one within a cast of you at all times.

One favorite trick is to wear a baseball style cap with a small baggie of ice under it. It takes about a handful of crushed ice in a small sandwich bag, zipped shut and placed on the head. It’s invisible due to the cap, but oh boy, can you ever feel it. Cold air falls so it cascades down over your face same as when you stick your head in the convenience store freezer to get a bag of ice and take your time getting out of it. The ice has to be replaced in baggie about every hour or so but it’s well worth the time. Our family doctor said it was fine to do – would not harm the brain or the body either one. Must be right as I’m still alive and well and the doctor uses this on the golf course.

Hydration is also super important. Never wait to feel thirsty before drinking water. Water is better for us than sugary drinks – and according to a friend and EMS tech, it is better to drink 4 waters to every 1 electrolyte drink, soft drink, etc. Never alcohol, just stay hydrated and don’t worry about bathroom stops because it will eliminate as perspiration through skin pores rather than the bladder as urine. Without enough water, dehydration and heat stroke chances soar. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be fishing than passed out and beet red in an Emergency Room.

What you wear is also important. It really doesn’t matter what color it is - as long as it’s white. J  A white cap can be 20 degrees cooler than a black one – and a light colored cotton shirt can be 20 degrees cooler than a dark one made of blends. Cotton breathes – lets in air. And it’s air on wet skin (perspiration) that cools us down.  

Eating is important. We get up ultra-early for take off – some don’t eat breakfast – meaning to eat that peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the cooler – or the donut in a storage compartment but once the fish start to bite – it can be 2:00PM before we realize we haven’t eaten a thing. That can make the body’s blood sugar level go wacky – and combined with dehydration, can land you in the hospital.

Hope to see you all at the Red River. Just don’t take my cap off!

Good fishing, Kathy Magers