Donna G

Fishing as co ain't for everyone, but I love it. Haven't fished Heartland, but been a regular on Central Pro-Am last two years and qualified for the championship both years. Fished BFL a time or two, also. Granted, I'm in a unique position and it works well for me because I travel with hubby and he fishes pro side. You're right, not all pros are created equal, but I've had a blast and learned so much. I'm with getfished, sometimes what you learn is what NOT to do. They put their drawers on the same way we do. Wait, I mean the same way YOU do. I'm sure I'm much more ladylike in that respect. lol dtrs5kprs, your buddy John is right. You won't step in the boat with a nicer pro or person than Mike Webb. He gets a lot of respect from me, particularly for what he does with his organization K.A.S.T - Kids Are Special Too. I write a column in CPAA's Fishin' Magazine. In a recent issue I discussed how treating my pro with respect had been a valuable tool for me. I did it in a humorous way and it was a hit with both pros and co-anglers. Apparently it was right on. One excerpt from the column is what has helped me keep the back of the boat in perspective. "Sometimes the only reward is knowing that you did the right thing (treating the pro with respect). You can try your best and still get a Hateful Hank on the front deck, but that's life. People are people everywhere -- on the front deck or the back, at work or on the street. I've drawn anglers that I felt sure were going to be grouches, yet turned out to be truly pleasant and professional...There's no measuring all I've learned from the pros I've fished with -- either through observation or deliberate instruction. What a bounty! I truly believe I have been blessed because I practiced old-fashioned manners, gave respect and applied the Golden Rule." I've been lucky. Whadda wanna bet now that I've posted this my next pro will be the one from hell? Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. I do agree with whoever said they'd rather fish with their buddy. My favorite fishing partner is ALWAYS going to be Champ188. Donna G

Found this on get5bass. Link takes you to an entry form and a little more info. Mentions pre-registration on Saturday 5-6 p.m. at Hook, Line and Sinker with a tournament meeting at 6 p.m. with boat numbers given out then, but you don't have to attend. You can sign up at the ramp. Tournament University of Arkansas Bass Team - 3rd Annual Fundraiser Bass Tournament November 8th, 2009 Beaver Lake Prairie Creek Marina Safe light - 3:00 PM Entry Fee: $80 per team Tournament University of Arkansas Bass Team - 3rd Annual Fundraiser Bass Tournament November 8th, 2009 Beaver Lake Prairie Creek Marina Safe light - 3:00 PM Entry Fee: $80 per team http://www.get5bass.com/UofA3rdANNUAL2009.html or email: bassteam@uark.edu Donna G

Found this on get5bass. Link takes you to an entry form and a little more info. Mentions pre-registration on Saturday 5-6 p.m. at Hook, Line and Sinker with a tournament meeting at 6 p.m. with boat numbers given out then, but you don't have to attend. You can sign up at the ramp. Tournament University of Arkansas Bass Team - 3rd Annual Fundraiser Bass Tournament November 8th, 2009 Beaver Lake Prairie Creek Marina Safe light - 3:00 PM Entry Fee: $80 per team Tournament University of Arkansas Bass Team - 3rd Annual Fundraiser Bass Tournament November 8th, 2009 Beaver Lake Prairie Creek Marina Safe light - 3:00 PM Entry Fee: $80 per team http://www.get5bass.com/UofA3rdANNUAL2009.html or email: bassteam@uark.edu email: bassteam@uark.edu

I'm not good with teknekal stuf'. All I know is that our GPS said 3 p.m. when we hit the buoys, but it was really 4 p.m. Didn't he order the date moved on when DST changes? Thanks. Actually remembered to do that.

This is true.

Well, now there is a very interesting story behind that. One I'm not sure Champ wants me to tell. We had 4 fish Saturday and 4 Sunday, but if you look at the results you will see a zero on day two. We were pressing hard to get #5 and when we finally pulled up the trolling motor and headed in, Champ said he wasn't sure we would make it in time. Smooth water and not a lot of boat traffic gave us hope. We hit the buoys at 3 p.m. on the nose, but I'm thinking "Where is everybody?" The parking lot was almost empty and the weigh-in trailer was gone. Seems when President Bush changed the dates of daylight savings time, he forgot to tell our GPS. This past weekend would have been when the time changed originally instead of this coming weekend. Kelly Power and Jim Thompson met us at the ramp with our trailer telling us how worried they had been and that it was 4 p.m. They were about ready to call the water patrol. It's a warm feeling to know anglers look out for each other. Thanks, guys. Oh, well. Our bag wouldn't have put us in the money. Did have a good time and caught some nice fish. A couple of the smallies were very energetic. I had a keeper LM on a drop shot in front of a dock slip that went airborne on me when I was fighting to unravel the braid that had wrapped around my reel. Champ said he had never seen a LM jump that high. He estimated 5 feet. lol That would have been our fifth fish. We'll be at Beaver next weekend fishing the UA bass fishing team benefit derby. Take care. Donna G

Excellent job, Jeremy! I think you and Champ188 have a mutual admiration society. He enjoyed his day with you, too. I know what you mean about him and the spinR bait. I call him Mr. Blade. Donna G

Don't know about MBCA, but CPAA Team Shoot-Out top three: Peter Wenners / Brian Snowden - 16.17 Mike Webb / Tim Sainato - 15.86 Bobby Sullivan / Matt Jones - 13.90 Sullivan and Jones had a big bass 7.71 I think with only 4 fish. It's a 2-day tournament with 25 boats paying two places $7,000 first and $3,000 second. There is a big bass pot and a side pot, as well. We had 4 for 8.45 and were in the same boat as a lot of folks with only 4 fish. It's a combined 5-fish limit for the team. Donna G

We went out just after daylight from Ahoy's down to mouth of North Indian. Couldn't get too much going on a spook, but caught a small one in some schoolers. Had my best luck on a War Eagle 1/2 oz heavy finesse jig flipping the original shoreline (before all the rain) behind hubby (Champ188) who was mostly throwing a spinnerbait. Had 3 keepers out of about 20 fish total. Two on the jig and one on the spinnerbait. The bite definitely died off as it got later when the front started moving in. Figured we'd find some on the dock corners, but no luck. We packed it in around 2 p.m. to come in and catch the Razorback game, of course. Think it must have been slow for everyone. We are staying at Harpers Valley Resort and there is a bass club (about 8 boats) here from LOA fishing a tournament. We had more keepers than the club combined. Nice folks and good set up - Nancy and Basil Ellis, Harpers Valley. Our first visit here, but it won't be the last. Going back out tomorrow and probably fish around Kimberling and Baxter. Thinking about jig, spoon and dropshot on bluff ends. Forgot Champ dabbled around with the dropshot some today and caught one or two. Good luck if you are going back out tomorrow. We'll post again when we get home to Arkansas. Donna G

Thanks, Eric. I know the family appreciates your support. We hadn't been to the Rock in awhile since we just finished up the CPAA team championship at Stockton and then started practicing for the pro-am championship at Bull, so we didn't make it to the scales. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.) Probably 25 shorts, but never could manage a keeper. Super nice giveaways, although I think those who stunk in the tournament should automatically get the big draw prizes. lol Since we didn't really have a pattern going, not sure if any input would be beneficial, but most of the fish came on a spinnerbait shallow, with a few on jigs and shakey heads. Tried a spook early and had a couple of blow ups, but no body committed. Some of the fattest short spots I've seen. One landed in the bottom of the boat and was 'swimming' upright on his fat little belly instead of flopping on his side. I don't think he could rollover. Thanks to all who participated. I know everyone has great demands on their time, but occasionally we have to set them aside and give back. All of us will stand in need of the kindess of others one day. Headed to Bull Tuesday. Take care. Donna G

Hi, Whack'em. Thanks for asking. A-ok on our front. Leaving for Central Pro-Am Championship at Bull on Tuesday, but we plan to fish the benefit tournament at TR Sunday. Take care. Donna G

I've had a set of Bass Pro Shops for years and it is does a great job keeping me dry. Gets pretty stuffy, though, if it is warm outside. I've had them so long the outside layer on the knee pads and bottom have blown out. Duct tape is a wonderful thing. I've heard the BPS 100mph is awesome, especially in cold weather. I'd like to get some just for the winter. Donna G

I never offer less than $40 and usually do $40-50. I do watch the gas prices. Since we have a boat and hubby competes on the pro side I know how much I'm getting for my small contribution. The pro has to find the fish, take us to the fish and bring us back. He probably practiced one or more days to find our fish, so tournament day is not the only gas he's burned. I don't base it on whether they are a good guy, but I have been known to throw in a 'tip' if I catch 'em. Some pros won't take the money at all and some won't take the full amount but I always offer. There's a good article (if I do say so myself-I wrote it lol) coming out in the next issue of the CPAA Fishin' Magazine called "Golden Rule Precious Tool for Co-Angler" and it concerns co-angler etiquette. Donna G

Thanks Whack'em. All is well. Had my 6-months kidney cancer check-up and still cancer free. It was a very good report. Go back every 6 months for a few years. Made it into the CPAA championship again this year in the last tournament at the Rock. Had a very nice pro who is a local. Got quite the drop shot lesson and limited out in the last 30 minutes. Whew! Cutting it close. I'm so excited. I certainly didn't want to go to Bull Shoals just as Champ's bass caddy. lol Donna G

Hmmm. Where is that again, Techo? Me and Champ are hitting the water this weekend. We might need to stop for lunch. Donna G

We don't often take a lunch break out of the boat, but have been to Big M and the food's good. Nice place where you can eat inside or out. I seem to recall seeing advertisements for beer. I stick to tea, so wasn't scoping out the brew. Donna G

Skeeter, Did you get your lock in the hardware section? We got a good bicycle lock at Wally World last year, but the one you describe sounds like a cool deal. We were staying at Robin's Resort for a CPAA tournament at LOA. The week before 5 boats were floated off and ransacked. Our room faced the slip we were in and it was well-lighted, but it's still creepy thinking you could get up in the morning and find your stuff or boat gone. Donna G

What's the famous line? You can't please all the people all the time? Or here's another one straight from AA or is it Alanon? 'Take what you like and leave the rest.' I read the forums on topics that I like and I don't read the forums on topics I'm not interested in. It's a great system. I'm in to bass fishing, so I don't read the posts on fly fishing or hunting. Choice is a beautiful thing. It's like a buffet. I can eat all I want of my favorite stuff and ignore the wrinkled peas. lol I love OA because everyone has been extremely nice to me, it's well-moderated and G rated, I've learned a lot and no one has suggested I shouldn't be here. I've seen some sites where certain people posting go into x-rated bleepisms over a woman on the forum. I just want to read, write and learn about fishing. I'm not trying to prove anything gender-wise. So, I really, REALLY appreciate the acceptance here. Thanks for the good job you do, Lilley. I love OA, but I'm sure your new one will be exceptional, too. And, if not, I'll take what I like and leave the rest. Donna G "No one likes change except a wet baby." Mark Twain

Sorry I didn't think to look up any of you guys. I had a nice pro. I only had one keeper, too. Also, a 12.5 inch spot. Are you sure your fish was the smallest? Mine weighed 1.38. Champ and I had better luck on the team tournament. I actually contributed two fat ones to the limit!

Hook Line and Sinker is in downtown Rogers on the way to Prairie Creek. It's not a couple, but Aaron Joliff. There is another Hook Line and Sinker location in Bella Vista at 71 and County Road 40. Good selection, nice folks. Mostly bass fishing tackle.

We're staying at Cowskin Prairie Motel east of town for BFL. We haven't stayed there before, but have passed it often on the way in from Northwest Arkansas. We like that it is away from the town traffic, but still close. There is a restaurant and you can back your boat and truck up to some of the rooms. I know some of the anglers stay at the Outrigger Motel 918-786-4456 for Grand tournaments. I don't know where that is in relation to Wolf Creek, but it is in Grove. I checked a bunch of the places last year when CPAA was going to Grand, but didn't. So this is not current info, but they told me all the rooms were ground level and you can back the boat up to the room. Hickory Inn in Grove also told me you can back up to the room and you can leave the truck hooked up. They give you a special rate if you tell them you are fishing the tournament. 918-786-9157. One other is Grand Motel 918-786-6124. I don't remember their set-up. Good luck and give us a review of where you end up staying. Speaking of BFL, anybody been catching 'em?

Nope. He was just trying to air out his - uh-hum - golden locks. lol Were you there?

You guys crack me up!

Ditto. I forgot to look for you. I was sitting at the Central Pro-Am Association booth most of the day with a blue Lowrance visor. However, I did see you, but I didn't realize who it was and since I forgot to look for you ... Sorry about that. Champ188 was the great big guy 6'4' in the lowkey Champion shirt with no hat. He hung out by the Hook Line and Sinker booth and CPAA most of the day. What color is your Ranger? We run a Champion 188 white with silver, red and black trim with a 200 Opti. It's Mike McClelland's '04 boat without the wrap, of course. We won't be fishing Table Rock exclusively since Champ and I are both competing in Central Pro-Am and BFL Ozark division this year, but we'll be there quite a bit. Between the two circruits, they go to Table Rock 3 times. Plus, we always fish the Champion boat owners tournament in the Fall. Hope we get to meet you. Tight lines. Donna Gi

Thanks! We're headed up there within the hour.