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Bass Show on ESPN
There is a show on ESPN called "Loudmouth Bass" They are trying to get one of those "In Your Face" type shows going I guess? They are knocking Fly Fishermen as being wimps that kiss there fish before letting them go? If you were to ask me that show should have the B taken off of Bass and you would have the right name for it.
Now If I am not mistaking there is a Yellowheaded guy from Oklahoma that Bass fishes (Has his own show) and kisses every bass he catches? I have also watched guys in those Bass tournaments kiss fish that they catch. Now I do not know about you but in all the years I have fished and guided for trout I have seen just one trout kissed and that was by a lady and her husband told her she had to do it as it was her first one.
I do not understand why these guys have to come down on fly fishermen unless they just have to have something to poke fun at?
It kind of amazes me that Bass fishermen would come down on anyone? They spend 50 grand for a boat, motor and trailer. Another 40 grand for a truck to haul it and another 10 to 15 for the rods, reels and lures that they use. All so they can run around at 70 miles an hour and catch a 2 pound Bass on 80 pound spiderwire?
If you ask me they are the ones that are missing the real reason that a person fishes. Becuase it is fun and should be taken at an easy pace. I know a few Guides out here that would love to take those two Bass guys out fishing. Course they may come back with a few bumps and bruses on them? http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif Ron
[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 16 February 2005).]
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Ron,
I caught that loudmouth bass segment the other day, it was part of the "Bass Center" show. As if bass fishing needs it's own version of Sports center...
I was none to pleased when the one guy mentioned that he was going to "explore his feminine side" and go fly fishing.
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Ron,
I haven't seen the show, but I have seen the shows where, as you said, they simply drag small bass across the surface with a "winch"! If that is sport, it's news to me. I saw the "yellowhaired guy" mocking flyfishers by imitating "flycasting" with a spinning rod while fishing a river. I say "To each their own" & if you are not "into" a particular type fishing, just leave it alone.
We all know how great flyfishing is, don't we?
Mike
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I tried to find a way to express my opinion to them on this subject but could not do so on there web-site? Maybe I missed something? I could find no place to send an e-mail there way? But I sure would like a word or two with them on this subject. Ron
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RonMT
I will agree with almost everything you said about Bass anglers (they have a womans division) except what they spend on equipment. Sorry but someone has mislead you on that. If you are one of the good guys, someone that wins, you pay nadda nothing. I never paid for my boat, trailer, motor, rods, reels, lures, or anything else. My sponsors did. I did not get to keep the boat, it was replaced every year, I did keep all the reels, lures, rods, and other stuff. I did buy my own SUV. But for the other stuff, no, I did win a few, but what was better was that I was able to sell myself. And someone else paid the bills.
Now granted this was way back in the 70's but I am sure it has not changed since.
So you are paying for his boat, motor, trailer, truck, and his fishing equipment everytime you purchase something from one of the sponsors.
Sorry, but just thought you should know the rest of the story.
Harold
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ron
here ya go
[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sitetools/s/contact/espntv.html:e9c45]http://sports.espn.go.com/sitetools/s/contact/espntv.html[/url:e9c45]
here's my comment:
i was very disappointed to see espn has more or less dropped all of its fly fishing programming. it is understandable...bass fishing = big $$$ and espn must follow the revenue stream. that i get.
what i don't get is espn's show 'loudmouth bass'. there is no need for bass fisherman to denigrate fly fisherman. really, there is no need for any fisherman to denigrate another fisherman, period (assuming all are within the law in their practices and are using teh resource with respect). in a time when our natural resources are threatened and need our proactive protection, i am pretty disenheartened to see espn airing a show that promotes and encourages in-fighting and derision amongst the ranks of fisherman. in a time where we should be circling the wagons and banding together to fight to protect a resource we all enjoy using, 'loudmouth bass' does nothing but increase the divide between "different" types of fisherman.
i was disappointed but understood espn's previous decisions to drop fly fishing programs for bass programs. that comes down to economics (sort of like why a sports netwrok carries poker 24/7...gotta chase revenue!). however, espn's decision to air a program such as 'loudmouth bass' has me seriously re-evaluating my 'favorite network'.
something needs to be done, or you will be losing another viewer....
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Thanks for providing that link to ESPN Tim.I would like to see a few of these bass fishers drop there 20lb line and try catching a 5lb trout on a 3lb leader.All ESPN is doing with this kind of programing is causing a split between sportsmen and that is just what those who want to stop our sports want to see.I belive ESPN has gone to chasing the good old American dollar and could care less if they lose a few viewers.I have sent them my view on this matter.
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I don't know how you guys can sit and watch fishing shows. An hour show is probably 45 minutes of direct and indirect advertisements, 5 minutes of self or mutual congratulations and the rest fishing. What little I've seen of these shows: bass; salt; fly fishing; or other; it's like watching a bad movie or paint dry. Obviously there are other opinions of the shows, otherwise they wouldn't have the sponsors, but I'm glad that I don't get it.
Allan
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Allen- I have a TV right were I tie and it keeps me compnay. That is how I was watching it. It was 3 in the morning and I was tying. Nothing else on so I was just listening to it.
HH- According to that program and another on there unless you are in the top 20 or so anglers it costs you a lot to fish in those tournaments. They said that it costs around $150.000.00 a year to just be out there not including all the gear like your boat and so on if you are not one of the top guy's They also stated that lure and rod and reel companys will give the anglers lower down that equipment but the bigger items they have to buy until they win and get there names out there.
You have to understand to that I was talking about the "Normal" Bass fishermen that just fish and listen to all of that stuff. Then go out an buy it all. Makes a person wonder how many of them go into debt just to have that stuff?
Tim-S Thinks for the link I will be sure and use it. I just wish more people would. Just to let the people at ESPN know that they are wrong and that some people take offence at what is going on there. Ron
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I kinda like it--fly fishing show are kind of boring to me, they just don't reflect the whole experience very well. They're mostly just a nonstop advertisment. If you don;t like it, change the channel.
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RonMT
You are right, I did not mean that all the Bass anglers get their meal ticket for free, but the top 20 is not near low enough.
I was not even in the top 100 and I got most of my stuff "sponsored" Boat manafactures are not the only ones that give out boats, some of the bigger boat dealers also do it for the advertizing.
But by and large I would agree that unless you get in the money regular you will have to foot the bill.
ESPN has just given me another reason to build rods and tie flies.
Harold
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I hate fishing shows as well, and heartily agree that they are nothing but big long advertisements.
I do, however, love to catch bass and love bassboats. They add to the fun. Peace and quiet and solitude are a lot harder to find when bass fishing on big water, largely because of the recreational boaters, however.
ESPN's ownership/involvement with BASS and tournament fishing has aggravated a lot of people. I hate bass tournaments. I am not particualrly fond of a lot of the rednecks that I have encountered through bass fishing, but then again, I'm not fond of a lot of the elitists that I have encountered in fly fishing either.
In either sport, it isn't arguing before the Supreme Court, saving lives, starting the next Microsoft, or inventing the light bulb. It's only fishing. It's a lot of fun if people allow it to be.
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ever noticed how fishermen seem to resemble their prefered prey?The large mouth bass, I'm sorry to say,just isn't the sharpest tool in the shed and those who spend gazillions on them alone...well enough said.At least flyfisherman use their noggins to catch them.I wonder what a bassman would say to a 60lb dogtooth tuna on fly...or a sailfish....or a marlin...ETC ETC ETC ETC
Adam
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It seems that you made a very collective assumption on bass anglers in general. You are stereotyping them the same as they stereotyped us. 99% of all bass anglers i know dont own a 50,000 boat 15,000 worth of equipment or anything of that nature. In fact flyfisher persons spend more on equipment. Most people have a few baitcastors and only a few 100 bucks in tackle. Whats the big deal about two guys on ESPN bad mouthing fly fishing. Unless someone is holding a gun to your head you can always change the channel.
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The way to a flyfisherman's heart is through his fly
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Naw BA04,
The 2 year-old lost the remote, so once I get her settled on a channel and get sittin in m' lazy boy with a 6-pack, couple o bags of chips and the dawg, I cain't get er changed. I tried a long stick, but my aim wasn't so good and I kept knockin that there TeeVee off'n the milk crates, which caused a loss of reeception. Due to that I ahd ter listen to them fellers bad mouthin me and my friends. Maybe we'uns could find us's a lawyer and try fer one of them there class action deallies.
Robert, you wanna repreesents us?
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif
Don
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So less see? It is OK for them to slam Fly Fishermen but not OK for us to say anything about it? Yep I can change the channel but others won't and they are making fly fishermen look like Arse's in front of those other people who make take it that we are all the same. Why do "THEY" Need to be saying anything about any other fishermen.No matter how they fish? Just to fill up there time on air?? I think they are wrong and I said something about it. That is my right just as it is your's here. Ron
[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 22 February 2005).]
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Hey, Ron;
Hope I didn't make ya mad. I agree wholeheartedly with ya. While I have never been insulted within my hearing by a bass fisherman, I have gotten some interesting looks and been chuckled at since I began WW fishing a few years ago. I was trying to keep it lighthearted.
Please let me know fi I offended you, as that was in no way my intent.
Don
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Thats not what i meant at all. Yah they are uninformed dumb"arses". But they are only two people by which some of you have been judging the rest. Bad mouth them all you want i could really care less. They are only expressing a opinion as are all of us. They are a bunch of guys trying to fill air time. I watched their show once and it just looked like two overpaid jerks yelling about fishing and getting paid for it. I dont care what those two say because i know that it isnt true. I wasnt able to type all that i wanted to earlier so it was sort of uncomplete. I was sitting in my 4th period class. I didnt mean to insult anyone or start anything. Also you didnt offend me in the least drolfson
-Zac
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The way to a flyfisherman's heart is through his fly
[This message has been edited by Bass_Angler_04 (edited 22 February 2005).]
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Iteresting that this thread started when someone cast stones at another type of fishing. Then those who were offended simply do the same and cast stones of their own . . .
The whole point of that show segment is to get a rise out of folks. There is room on the water for everyone. If you don't like bass fishing, that's OK, but tearing them down makes you no better than those who make fun of fly-fishing.
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Jeff - AKA Dr. Fish
If it has fins and swims than I must chase it!
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i never heard back from ESPN, by the way...that will get them another letter
hope i didn't come off as 'throwing stones'; my take is fisherman need to come together to protect the resources, period, regardless of their methods (as long as they are ethical & legal).....i love to bass fish, but i do it from a kayak with an old glass rod & deer hair poppers in a quiet backwater....
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one thing to consider is that those guys are fishermen in about the same way that the guy who hits hogs in the head with a sledgehammer in a slaughterhouse is a hunter. So the real error is even putting them in the same category.
All ESPN wants to do is get a bunch of people riled up so they'll wath the show.
I agree that all outdoorsmen need to work together to protect our heritage and rights. ESPN is not going to be a part of that effort unless it somehow lines their pockets. The folks who hold the reins are obviously not concerned with the outdoors beyond how much $$$ it will drop into their bank accounts.
And don't hold your breath waiting on them to give a considered and worthwhile response. A shame but I fear that will be the case.
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RRhyne56
[url=http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com:20a4a]http://www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com[/url:20a4a]
IM = robinrhyne@hotmail.com
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When PETA comes for my gear they aren't going to ask if it's fly, bait,or spin. Look at sports, one can't achieve something without sticking it in his or her opponents face. The critics and the fanatics want nothing more than a divided opposition.Hmmmmmmmmm.
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Thats a really good point coach. I am an avid hunter and PETA point is to divide and conquer.
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The way to a flyfisherman's heart is through his fly
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Ron,
That is why I don't watch ESPN. I got tired of their bad shows. It's The Outdoor Channel and Outdoor Network for me. I do wish we had a fly fishing channel in my area.
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Eric "nighthawk"
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I agree that we should all stick together and I also agree that those guys are looking to make people mad so they get the hype built up. It is just wrong for them to knock anyone about any type of fishing. Makes me a little mad. ESPN lost a viewer in myself that is for sure.
Tim_S- I also never heard back from them. But I do not think they care one bit. I watched a bit of the Bass thing on another channel this weekend and they are going to try and make Bass fishing Just like Golf on TV. They are talking about Millions in prize money now. WOW. And to think all over a dam fish that is supposed to be enjoyable to catch. Just took the fun out of Bass fishing for sure. Ron
[This message has been edited by RonMT (edited 28 February 2005).]
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Whenever I'm insulted I say consider the source. In this case I do not mean bass fishermen, I am one, I mean loud mouthed TV personalities trying to creat a rucus so they get more eyeballs on their show.
jed
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Saw the show, hated it. I think I would have hated it even if I wasn't a fly angler.
I spent the majority of my fishing life with bait casting and spin tackle. Only over the last three years has 99% of my time been spent with the fly rod. I always put a spin rod and a bait casting rod in the boat when I leave, with my tackle bag of hardware, just in case I need it. I rarely do anymore.
Regarding pro and semi-pro anglers, I had the pleasure of meeting several during the FLW tour when they fished out of Morgan City, La., in the Atchafalaya Basin. Polite, nice, good sense of humor. As has been previously mentioned, the vast majority of pro anglers are good, upstanding people who do lots of good for charity and worthwhile causes. I have read elsewhere that many of them are disgruntled with all the hype that has come to surround professional bass fishing.
Not to open a can of worms, hee-hee, but I still have a warm spot in my heart for Bill Dance, Jerry McGinnis and Hank Parker, and always watch their shows when I can. I grew up with Dance and McGinnis on the tube, they're like the grandpappies of fishing. And I think Parker's a helluva guy.
"Loudmouth Bass" rubbed me the wrong way, and not just because of the fly fishing remarks. It's just stupid, period. But let's remember that Ray Scott, Forest Wood and people like them have done tons of good for warmwater fishing and we should be grateful to them.
Just my .02,
R
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[url=http://www.native-waters.com:e8d70]http://www.native-waters.com[/url:e8d70]
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Someone should inform the Loudmouth Bass people, that a very large percentage of the Nancy Boy Fly Fisherman are Retired Military.
Who know how to use a fly rod, and if called for, know where and how far to shove it up where the sun don't shine of some Loudmouth Bass's Posterior!
~Parnelli http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif
(always willing to demonstrate, for those that require the training!)
[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 01 March 2005).]
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I am retire U.S. Army, 27 years, will not apoligize for my life or past profession. There are many retired military people on this site, and none of us are the whimpy fly anglers that was stated at the beginning of this thread.
The http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif is an indication that the previous comment was done in humor. But you had to take it to the other extreme.
Parnelli (Sergeant McGarthwaite should not be allowed to drive nothing but a U.S. Army Tent Stake, he thinks his name is Parnelli Jones!) http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/biggrin.gif (smiley face)
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I would like to take one or two of these bass guys steelhead fishing up here in the Pacific Northwest. Let?s see how they stand up to 20 degree weather. Snow, cold rain, wind, and standing in 36 degree water all day. I will let them get in touch with their feminine side as they head back to their nice warm bass lakes whining.
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JC,
Lately I would have trouble taking them out on a rainy day let along a cold rainy day.
There something not right about steelheading in February in a t-shirt. On the 28th the air temp was 61 degrees on the Skagit with bright blue skies. This is just not right.
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RonMt
As a boy, I was fishing the river that flows past my house (and occasionally through it) with a friend and we were really cleaning house on the Small Mouthed Bass. We were staying late because we got a late start and we wanted to fish until the moon came up.
We could hear some fishing profanity coming from a boat that was drifting down from above. We were fishing with Heddon rods of 8 1/2 and 9 feet which we had "borrowed" from a closet in his house. "Oh my aching butt" said my friend, Gene. "Do you know who those idiots are?"...I listened again and said "yeah those are the same guys we caddied for the other day! We ought to flip their boat over on top of 'em". (We had carried those heavy bags around 18 then an additional 9 holes and when we were done, they gave us each 25 cents each. Our parents would not let us "charge" but we were to accept whatever was offered. I think our mothers were trying to stear us into a life of beggars or something! But even our parents were a little miffed when we told them about it. The temperature that day had to be 180 degrees.
I heard the big fat guy say "those kids caught a fish lets drop the anchor"...ka splash and they pulled up right in front of us and began throwing big surface plugs with all manner of gadjets and trebble hooks hanging from them. I could tell what kind of reels they were using just from the sounds. A Langley locust would go whizz...zit...zit...ka splash. Then you'd hear "#%$^&@+## another backlash". Then the South Bend Buzzard reel would sound off...buzzzzzzzz and would end up with a similar zit zit splash! This would be followed by another string of naughty words from the other guy. Gene and I were regularly turning back small bass. Then the skinny guy hooked a bass and immediately stood up and began reeling like mad. A fair fish was hauled aboard but the skinny guy almost fell in the drink because of it. He was so proud of that twelve inch bass. He turned to us and said, "Now THATS how its SUPPOSED TO BE DONE". About that time Fatso hooked a small one, not much longer than the plug he was casting. He Looked our way and said "well here's one for the purists, HA HA HA!" (I never heard of elitists in those days, just purists). Dang! now I'd really like to turn their boat over but I had the presence of mind to maintain self control and I let them away with it. Then a huge bass jumped clear of the water about two points off the starboard bow and the skinny guy said "Judas! did you see the size of that fish?" I said, "Yup and I got Him"! A couple of secconds later Gene was into a similar bass and his reel was screamin' bloody murder. The fat guy looked at the fish with eyes like saucers and sez "Well we each caught about 10 fish today, how many did you kids catch?" Just got here at 6:30...I quit countin at 25 and Gene did about the same as me. Three of 'em were bigger than those last two. Then the skinny guy said "Hey are you guys leavin?" The moon was coming up.
Do you think the powers that be would have allowed us to catch those big bass if we had dumped those guys? I don't know but its been 60 years now and if it happens again I'll not be so considerate!
Ol' Bill
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Bill Dance's bloopers now those are classics. I have never seen anyone break so many rods, even my father who goes through at least two a year. Good thing he doesn't have to pay for them or he would go bankrupt. He also likes to swim a lot. *G* That's quality entertainment from a bass guy.
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Who has time for stress when there are fish to catch.
Nick
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Hey Kerry
I did just that . . . I took a professional Bass angler Steelhead fishing here locally in Upstate NY. He was lucky because it was late November and it wasn't real cold yet (30F). He was not a fly angler so I armed him with a spinning rod, a good float and a fly to drift underneath it.
Guess what, he said it was the most fun he's ever had fishing. IT was one of those days where the fish really cooperated and were eating real well. Come to think of it, it was one my best days of Steelheading ever. We lost track after landing more than 20 fish, mostly in the 6 - 10lb range. We did have 4 fish in the high teens.
The touring pros have to work very hard to make a living. The stress levels are VERY high so the fun levels are often very low.
He now makes an annual pilgrimage to chase Steelhead up here with me. One of these days, I'll put a fly rod in his hand http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
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Jeff - AKA Dr. Fish
If it has fins and swims than I must chase it!
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"Now If I am not mistaking there is a Yellowheaded guy from Oklahoma that Bass fishes (Has his own show) and kisses every bass he catches? I have also watched guys in those Bass tournaments kiss fish that they catch. Now I do not know about you but in all the years I have fished and guided for trout I have seen just one trout kissed and that was by a lady and her husband told her she had to do it as it was her first one."
The "Yellow-Headed Guy" was former B.A.S.S. National Champion Roland Martin. I beleive he is an Insurance Salesman in Oklahoma, now.
I just don't understand this characterization of us Fly-Fishers as strange people. I, for one, have never kissed a trout full-on-the-lips. That's perverted! I usually just hug them, blow in their ear and turn 'em loose.
Gigmaster---Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.........
