Down But Never Out

On Monday January 4th a bomb was droppedmeeting where the ideas will flow as they work
that blew away many anglers and fans of thetowards creating a new women's professional
professional bass fishing world. BASS announced itangling trail. Already offers for help and
was eliminating the Women's Bassmaster Tour.sponsorship are pouring in.
There was no forewarning, no hints, noThe Sportsman Edge Marina, in Paducah
preparatory countdown - "1... 2... 3... RIP" just aKentucky, has offered their services and is
completely unexpected, and quite painful, "RIP"supplying all the necessities for running the
that left many of us reeling with emotions.tournament including a trailer and weigh scales.
Confusion. Sadness. Anger.The local marina, The Moors, has offered the
It takes no rocket scientist to figure out wholadies the complete run of their resort, free of
were hurt the most from this abrupt decision -charge, giving them a headquarters, meeting
the people who poured their heart, and in manyroom and room and board. And many others,
cases, their entire financial existence, into thefrom all across the country, have stepped up to
Women's Bassmaster Tour - the anglersthe plate as well.
themselves. They too received no warning, just aSecret York, one of the organizers of this event,
short letter with a brief explanation of the decisionis quite excited about what is taking shape here.
to terminate. There was no well deservedWhile their trail has yet to be named and is still in
apology, in that letter, just a shove out the doorthe works, she is quite optimistic about the future
and a "Good luck wherever you land"of professional women's bass fishing. This first
And land they did - on both feet, running.tournament on Kentucky lake will give them a
It didn't take long for the ladies of the world ofgood idea of what is to take shape. There is a
professional angling to stand up, brush themselvesgood possibility that it will be followed up by
off and come up with a game plan. These ladiesanother tournament in the fall. There is even talk
love fishing more than anything. This terrible newsabout putting together a complete schedule for a
was not about to keep them down. Some of thetrail in 2011.
ladies even looked at this news as a blessing inBASS may have stepped out of the picture but
disguise and a chance for someone to step upyou have not heard the last of women's
and create a women's trail that would finally beprofessional bass angling. After all, they still have a
handled the way that many of the ladies wantedrepresentative of their passion getting ready to
it to be handled. No more championships beingcross the stage during the Superbowl of
held in cow pasteurs, no more feeling like the redprofessional bass angling - The Bassmaster Classic.
headed step child getting lost in the shadow of aIn fact, I am betting that Pam Martin Wells does
larger organization. Maybe now they would have amuch more than simply cross the stage. Keep
chance to stand up, be heard and shine. That isyour eyes and ears open folks because this lady
exactly what many of the ladies wanted - soangler can fish alongside the best of the best and
they set their targets.I have a feeling the world is about to see just
Now, here we are only ten days after the demisehow well a woman, a rod and a little green fish go
of the WBT and another women's trail is alreadytogether.
taking shape. Their first tournament alreadyThese ladies are powerhouses and when they set
scheduled for May 5th through 7th on Kentuckytheir mind to something, you can be sure that
Lake. The sole purpose of this tournament is tothey will carry through. A new trail is on the
get all the ladies together in one room and hold ahorizon and I am excited for it.