Storms, Bucks and Sponsor Season

There’s no rest during pro fishing’s “offseason”

(The writer's opinions and observations expressed here are his own, and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views, policies or positions of FLW.)

Well, my fishing season has come to an end for the year. It was very successful in many ways, including financially, which means the bills are all paid up and I’m ready to hit it hard again next year.

It was also a good year because I made some new friends along the way. But I think the best part was the feeling that I learned a good bit about the ever-adapting habits of those little green fish we so love to chase.

I really feel like my game will be escalated next year. I’ve had some years, successful or not, that I didn’t feel like I learned a darn thing. This was not one of those years. After doing this as long as I have, to feel like you learned, and to know that fire to go out and kick butt again next year burns bright as ever is a good feeling.

So it’s the offseason. What are you going to do? I’m starting to hear from family and friends, “OFF? Are you serious?”

When you fish for a living there is never an “offseason.” This is the time of year when all the sponsor contracts are negotiated. That’s a full-time job right there. Then there is selling this year’s boat, getting all the accessories together for next year’s boat and making sure they are sent to Ranger, researching all the lakes on next year’s schedule, booking places to stay at next year’s events, booking seminars and other speaking engagements.

So, as you can imagine, my schedule has been a little full. Then my buddy says, “You see they got that storm headed right for us?” No. Don’t have time for this. Mother Nature has other plans.

As I’m sure you all know the storm spared most of Florida, and really put a beat down on the Carolinas with all the flooding. But imagine, if you will, waking up to check the 5 a.m. advisory, and Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel is broadcasting from literally about 3 miles from your house. Not good.

Quick decision. Put storm shutters on, grab Mom, the dog and run. Georgia bound for this guy. I got to the end of the driveway, stopped, blew the house a kiss and said, “Hang in there, baby. I’ll be back.”  Hurricanes usually don’t bother me, but a direct hit from a Cat 4 is a different ballgame all together.

Upon my return the next day I found that luckily all we got was a little flooding, a brief period without power and some torn screens on my pool cage. Not too bad. I wish we could say that for the people of North Carolina.

Well, now that all that stuff is squared away, let’s move on to my “offseason” proper. My offseason will be filled with alarms going off at 4:30 a.m. after a night of not nearly enough sleep, early-morning hikes and late-evening moonlit walks in the woods. That’s right, friends! Hunting season is upon us! If you want to find me the next four or five weeks I suggest looking about 25 feet up a tree in Maryland, Kentucky, Illinois, Oklahoma and Tennessee. I work seven days a week all year long to be able to do this. I also look forward to this all year long.

I have met a lot of wonderful people over the years and am very thankful to have the opportunity to hunt some pretty cool places. As much as I love bowhunting, though, I think it’s the fellowship of these “deer camps” that keeps me coming back.

Getting to spend time with people that you may not see much, if at all, all year long. Getting caught up on the goings on of the year. Having a few beers and eating way too much. These are the things I think I enjoy the most.

But make no mistake about it, I don’t practice with my bow for months before the season starts to not be serious about the hunting part. If ol’ big walks under my tree stand, he will certainly have an elevated chest ventilation procedure performed on him. I can promise you that.