Walleye sponsorships revisited?

[theproangler]

I'm relatively new to the tourney angling world, and was wondering if anyone has ideas on how to get in touch with industry contacts to send my resume, etc?
What's the best way to contact these promotions managers?
Thanks,
Jason

[Fishing Insider]

If you are relatively new as you say, you are probably wasting your time and energy. There's not much point in contacting potential sponsors until you have put together a pretty good tournament and promotions resume'.

[has no clue]

insider doesn't have a clue man....but with that attitude I sure wouldn't sponsor him...sounds like he is part of the problem with the sport....if a sponsor likes you...they will start some dialogue.....keep an open mind and understand it will take several years to get to a state or national pro staff level....you will start out in a vip program and you can work your way up.... Get a portfolio together, start volunteering your time and it won't be long and you will be making headway....don't let anyone...especially a washed up insider tell you not to bother trying to chase your dream...

[KHedquist]

NPAA is a good place to start


NPAA # 292 All fisherman are liers except for me and you, and I'm not so sure about you?
<'{{^}}< http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=106750

[AndyR]

I was in the same place two years ago.

I will tell you this, no matter how much information you get on here you might not get that sponsor you wanted. I'll try and prepare you though.

I got started by knowing people in the industry or knowing people that were close to someone in the industry. This got my foot in the door and a good chance at it. Get your foot in the door!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very important!

--------- Its all about the people you know! -------------

Its tough for a "nobody" to land a sponsor. In-fact anyone. Who wants to throw $$$$ at something your basically donating money to? (Prove them wrong!)

Start with the non-fishing businesses.

After you get your point to a few sponsors that you really mean what you say and are trying to help them they will respond to that.

Bottom line, if your like me and the tournament record is nothing special (like me) try to have someone hook you up with a sponsor and work your butt off trying to prove to them, you want to help them and they will help you. Sell yourself to them and you can go along ways.

Realistically who all is going to do that, not a lot of people but that is the way to go.

I just like telling people that it is NOT (NOT!!!! I MEAN NOT) about your resume. It may help but after you get your foot in the door the light can shine.

[Fishing Insider 2]

Fishing Insider is not that far off the mark in his comments. Breaking into the sponsorship game is not an easy task. While it can be done, there is no need to bash Fishing Insider for attempting to give a realistic answer based on his perception and experiences.

[Fishing Insider]

That's just plain funny. If you knew who I was you would be looking for a hole to crawl in.

[Secret Agent Man]

>That's just plain funny. If you knew who I was you would be
>looking for a hole to crawl in.

Could not help but read the above, and that song from years ago came to mind..."Secret Agent Man...Secret Agent Man"

WHo is this man or woman who goes by the name of "Walleye Insider." We shall seek the truth to this mystery...

Speaking about climbing out of a hole???

[Bond]

Bond, James Bond. Or would it be Walleye, Willy Walleye?

[tzone]

You lose a lot of creadability when you say "if you knew who I was". Come on. If you are not going to say who you are then don't post things like that.

Tom

[face it]

monies are harder to come by these days. sponsors are less willing to invest the dollars needed to support you (tourney expences, truck payment, mortgage, ect...) and still get a good return on the dollar. that is what it is all about. companies don't just dump money to dump money, they expect a return on their dollar.

most are going to do vip. it doesn't cost them much if anything to do that. plus they get a good exposure of their products for little or no money.

if you do get a sponsor you will work your butt off if you want to retain them. you always have to go above and beyond whats expected. doing kids fishing events, sportshows, vendor shows, dealer shows, on the water demos, and most of those expenses tend to come out of pocket to some extent. all of your previous free weekends do disappear too.

if you know someone who knows someone take advantage of it... its really hard to get your foot in the door on your own. your peers input to the prostaff managers mean more than a resume`, i know from personal experience it pays to have friends in the business.

don't give up on your dreams, but if your family suffers from it, i'd give up fishing in a heart beat! good luck with your search, and call the npaa they might have some leads for ya too.

[Fishing Insider]

I don't feel the need to tell who I am. If I did, I wouldn't have the freedom to post much of the stuff I post.

What happened here was that I gave a person who asked a good question some good advice, based on my 20 years in the sponsorship business. Then I was told by someone who doesn't have a clue, that I don't have a clue. I thought it was kinda funny and I still do.

All of the advice that is given on this site needs to be filtered. Some of it is really, really bad. I would suggest everyone do their homework; filter and verify all the advice... even mine. I won't be offended by that. To the person who started this thread, good luck to you in whatever you decide to do. If your resume' ever comes across my desk I will give it the same consideration I do all the others.

[bradley894]

Hmmmm.

[Stacker1]

Ya know, as I sit here and ponder the sponsorships that have been given and the time I have given for the sponsor ships, In most cases, I would have been better off getting a part time job and saving the cash for fishing. I would have gotten more money per hour and been at home more. Just remember, the sponsors need something more than your smiling face.

Have a great day!!

[Yep]

Stacker you are right. Just look at that silly Berkley promotion out there now. Some of the offers are product, at retail value, and they expect you to plaster all of their products on your promotional gear for peanuts. They are typical of these giant mega-conglomerates who now run promotional fishing.

As an angler attempting to break into the sport take smallsteps, get some local non-endemic sponsors, local fishing sponsors and work your tail off.

Nothing like being beholden to a boat or motor company for a silly delayed bill and 15 percent off. Heck, most of the folks with those deals are only getting 15 percent off retail anyway.

Its best if you just put your head down, create a business plan, get good accounting advice and don;t lose sight of whatever your goals are.

[walleyedmike]

>You lose a lot of creadability when you say "if you knew who
>I was". Come on. If you are not going to say who you are then
>don't post things like that.
>
>Tom
Couldn't have said it better myself, tzone. Just another reason why I don't post much anymore..... don't need the abuse.

Grow a pair, F.I.

Mike

[walleyedmike]

See, Fishing Insider, is that so hard? I know that if I were an aspiring pro, that AndyR's post would give me extra incentive to work at it, like he has, rather than not even giving my self a chance after reading your post.

[Stacker1]

>Stacker you are right. Just look at that silly Berkley
>promotion out there now. Some of the offers are product, at
>retail value, and they expect you to plaster all of their
>products on your promotional gear for peanuts. They are
>typical of these giant mega-conglomerates who now run
>promotional fishing.
>
>As an angler attempting to break into the sport take
>smallsteps, get some local non-endemic sponsors, local fishing
>sponsors and work your tail off.
>
>Nothing like being beholden to a boat or motor company for a
>silly delayed bill and 15 percent off. Heck, most of the folks
>with those deals are only getting 15 percent off retail
>anyway.
>
>Its best if you just put your head down, create a business
>plan, get good accounting advice and don;t lose sight of
>whatever your goals are.



Thanks Yep, you are the man. you are in the ......know?

Have a great day!!!

[Toolman]

>Stacker you are right. Just look at that silly Berkley
>promotion out there now. Some of the offers are product, at
>retail value, and they expect you to plaster all of their
>products on your promotional gear for peanuts. They are
>typical of these giant mega-conglomerates who now run
>promotional fishing.
>
>As an angler attempting to break into the sport take
>smallsteps, get some local non-endemic sponsors, local fishing
>sponsors and work your tail off.
>
>Nothing like being beholden to a boat or motor company for a
>silly delayed bill and 15 percent off. Heck, most of the folks
>with those deals are only getting 15 percent off retail
>anyway.
>
>Its best if you just put your head down, create a business
>plan, get good accounting advice and don;t lose sight of
>whatever your goals are.

If your "business plan" involves tounrnament fishing to try to earn a living (or even make money)...it's probably a bad business plan.

Tim

[hgmeyer_unlogged]

Have/had two sponsors... One was me and the other was an unrelated business. I own my own business, not fishing related, that used "me" as a promotional/advcertising expense. It generated some documented business. And, my "take a client fishing" policy really helped me cement relationships with some of my clients (the ones who were interested in gouing fishing). The other company also used me for that same kind of opportunity, taking a few customers fishing.

If I were considering sponsoring someone it would not be for "impressions", but for concrete client development. So, tournament sucess would be a "plus", but the ability to get along with people and translate fishing knowledge into a memorable day on the water would be the big selliing point. In effect, a captive "guide". I used days of prefishing for many of those opportunities to great success. I had to be out there on the water and the client felt special being peripherally involved in a tournament. Most of the time I included "dinner" with other fishermen and the client felt very "involved".

If you are looking for sponsors and want to think outside the box, consider getting yourself qualified as a guide and then offer the service to the client/sponsors for business development. Getting your sponsor and his customer together for a great day on the water is something that sponsor might get a big benefit from.

Finally, do consider the value of your time. I had looked into a "boat deal" years ago... Came to about $6-8 an hour... I am a computer network engineer. I can do better than that so I said no. My "insider" friend who brokered the offer completely understood why I said "pass".

[another insider]

I have to agree with FI. What does a new guy really have to offer a sponsor? Let's be honest here people! There are hundreds of guys out there who have been doing this for years and still have a hard time getting sponsors.

It's all about marketing, if a company gives you $1.00 you better be able to show them how you can generate $10 or even $20 of sales from it otherwise they are better off just running an add in a magazine.

And how do you think you are going to generate those kind of returns? By being alone out in the middle of a lake with nobody watching you? Walking across a stage where the only people watching you in person are the other competitors, there spouses, and a couple true spectators. And on TV IF you get seen you get a 1/2 to 1 second shot of you, if you win it might be a couple seconds. Do you really think that anybody looks at all those patches on your shirt during those couple seconds? Reality check - THEY DON'T!

So how much do you expect a company to pay you for that?

Look at anybody who is really succesfull at this and you will see that they were able to parlay there fishing along with some GREAT promotions.

And PLEASE think before you mortgage your life, house, family, etc. to "pursue your dream". The tournament trails are paved by people who think they are going to make a living fishing and promoting fishing products. I've seen enough ruined marriages by people chasing there dream only to realize, to late, that there dream should have been a happy family instead of being gone from the family for long periods of time spending every dime you and your spouse have saved only to see someone else walk away with it!

[Robert M]

I looked into it a little and had a very good non fishing related sponsor biting on the line.However after penciling things out and the time I would have to put in and what I would get back I had to pass.I decided I could make more in other ways with less effort.Not that it cant be done but it is a long hard road to the top where the money is at and even then it probably doesnt get any easier.Just dont let your ego get in the way and give yourself away for free.There are plenty of people out there doing that.

[Chad]

Jason,

The old saying "It isn't what you know but WHO you know" is pretty true here. You need to make some friends that are connected. Then eventually you'll meet their friends who are connected and grow your name. Eventually you will meet some industry people and then it is all up to you to knock their socks off. If your lucky they wil give you a try. If you work hard you will climb the ladder and eventually end up on the upper rungs.

You will need to figure out what your niche in the market is. There are 100's if not 1000's of anglers scrambling after the same nut's you are. What make's you bett? If you can figure this out you may be able to land something!

For some, the benefits do not compensate for the work they have to put in to receive them. Most of the time you can make more $$ working extra hours or getting a 2nd job and paying retail. If you buy $500 of product fom ABC Co and get 30% off, you saved $150. In return, they required that you work a sportsmanshow which you did for 3 days/8hrs/day. You were actually paid $6.25/hr.

It is not as easy as it may have been 10 years ago.

ChadM

[Yep]

Toolman,

I agree, if you are looking at tournament fishing as your only revenue stream it's a bad plan. That said, it's part of my business plan, along with about another 6 different segments, and it is quite beneficial.

Again, keep your head down, create a solid business plan, get good accounting advice and don't lose sight of your goals.

You can achieve what you set out to do, if it's well planned. Without preparation you will blow plenty of opportunties and won;t achieve success.

[Stacker1]

I also remember when a speaker could command a good dollar to do a seminar for a club or event. Today, there are so many guys, who are qualified, willing to do it for every tom dick and harry club at no charge to "Get ther name out", they have all but washed the profitability of that venue away as well.

[perchjerker]

this just struck me

I would start by filling out my profile here as completely as you can.

This is the largest walleye forum, afterall...

If I was a potential sponsor and looked at your profile it would be telling me that you arent much of a promoter...


;)

[another insider]

The good speakers still command a pretty good amount of money to do semonars. I agree that there a are a bunch of guys who will do a seminar for free or next to it, but as the saying goes you get what you pay for.

If you really want to get people in Joe Walleye just won't do it anymore you need a big name.

[another insider]

The good speakers still command a pretty good amount of money to do semonars. I agree that there a are a bunch of guys who will do a seminar for free or next to it, but as the saying goes you get what you pay for.

If you really want to get people in Joe Walleye just won't do it anymore you need a big name.

[Yep]

Another Insider,

That is unfortunatly true of the entire industry. Paid pros getting dropped left and right for the cheap promotions and the promise of money if you win. Odds are downright low for a win so that is a bad deal of you want to pursue this as a career.

True, many of the big names get good bucks for their seminars. However, take a look at almost every Ranger Boats or Brunswick contract. Almost all have the caveat of you providing them 3 or more days at no charge to promote their product.

Back in the day it was okay. You do your three obligatory days and then they would line up gigs for you to attend and pay you an agreed upon amount. Now, that doesn;t happen, unless you are one of a dozen, or fewer, pros who gets asked to go places for sponsors and gets paid a competitive wage.

The fishing and marine industry is so incredibly drained right now and with the fast declining number of license purchasers nationwide the immediate future doesn't look great for the fishing and boating industry's bottomline.

Business plan, sound accounting advice, keep your sights on whatever goals you set for yourself and you can be successful. Don't rely on the marine and fishing indsutry to pay your way. Look at seminars as a way to pay for your down time during the fall and winter months, if you are an excellent presenter. Great pros with lots of wins don;t necessarily make great presenters.

[Yep]

Another Insider,

That is unfortunatly true of the entire industry. Paid pros getting dropped left and right for the cheap promotions and the promise of money if you win. Odds are downright low for a win so that is a bad deal of you want to pursue this as a career.

True, many of the big names get good bucks for their seminars. However, take a look at almost every Ranger Boats or Brunswick contract. Almost all have the caveat of you providing them 3 or more days at no charge to promote their product.

Back in the day it was okay. You do your three obligatory days and then they would line up gigs for you to attend and pay you an agreed upon amount. Now, that doesn;t happen, unless you are one of a dozen, or fewer, pros who gets asked to go places for sponsors and gets paid a competitive wage.

The fishing and marine industry is so incredibly drained right now and with the fast declining number of license purchasers nationwide the immediate future doesn't look great for the fishing and boating industry's bottomline.

Business plan, sound accounting advice, keep your sights on whatever goals you set for yourself and you can be successful. Don't rely on the marine and fishing indsutry to pay your way. Look at seminars as a way to pay for your down time during the fall and winter months, if you are an excellent presenter. Great pros with lots of wins don;t necessarily make great presenters.

[Toolman]

Yep,

I guess I should rephrase my statement. There guys who make a living (some probably make a pretty good living) as strictly a professional walleye fisherman. Even the ones who make a marginal living at it are at least doing what they love. For every one guy that does well in the walleye game, I'd bet there are 20 more racking up debt that will take them years to pay off, all in the quest to be a "professional fisherman". In my case I fish a few tourneys and I've found that, if I need cash for the tourney coffer, I can earn more in a couple of weekends of doing side work than I could in much, much more time spent trying to gain/keep sponsorships. I have a good job (as does my better half) and I'm reasonably sure that I wouldn't be able to make nearly as much as I do on my current salary.

I have a lot of respect for the guys that can make a living in the industry, mainly because thay are doing what they love to do. In my case, it doesn't make dollars or sense-so I'm sponsored by "me" (and my wife). That's not to say that trying to aquire sponsors isn't something that someone with a dream shouldn't attempt. Just realize that the $ don't grow on trees and there may be alternatives that make more sense financially.

Tim

[Toolman]

Yep,

I guess I should rephrase my statement. There guys who make a living (some probably make a pretty good living) as strictly a professional walleye fisherman. Even the ones who make a marginal living at it are at least doing what they love. For every one guy that does well in the walleye game, I'd bet there are 20 more racking up debt that will take them years to pay off, all in the quest to be a "professional fisherman". In my case I fish a few tourneys and I've found that, if I need cash for the tourney coffer, I can earn more in a couple of weekends of doing side work than I could in much, much more time spent trying to gain/keep sponsorships. I have a good job (as does my better half) and I'm reasonably sure that I wouldn't be able to make nearly as much as I do on my current salary.

I have a lot of respect for the guys that can make a living in the industry, mainly because thay are doing what they love to do. In my case, it doesn't make dollars or sense-so I'm sponsored by "me" (and my wife). That's not to say that trying to aquire sponsors isn't something that someone with a dream shouldn't attempt. Just realize that the $ don't grow on trees and there may be alternatives that make more sense financially.

Tim

[Yep]

Toolman,

I agree. Unless you treat professional tournament fishing as a business there are better and kess costly ways to acquire money for tournaments.

Selling yourself for a lame delayed bill boat and motor package just so you can run the newes rig each year is economically foolish except for the few who get a steep enough discount. It's the dirty little secret that the boat and motor companies don;t want discussed.

It's a fools bet. You are better off purchasing what you can afford and fishing what you can afford than to sell your soul for nada.

[Yep]

Toolman,

I agree. Unless you treat professional tournament fishing as a business there are better and kess costly ways to acquire money for tournaments.

Selling yourself for a lame delayed bill boat and motor package just so you can run the newes rig each year is economically foolish except for the few who get a steep enough discount. It's the dirty little secret that the boat and motor companies don;t want discussed.

It's a fools bet. You are better off purchasing what you can afford and fishing what you can afford than to sell your soul for nada.

[Promotions Guy]

Perchjerker has made a very good statement regarding promoting yourself whenever possible (even your walleyecentral profile!). You never know when sponsors may be looking to recruit their next angler!
Justin

[randyr]

Having been in business for many years I have some suggestions.
First, set up your fishing efforts as a business (LLC, for example.) Get someone to help you with a basic accounting package to track expenses and revenue (Quickbooks.)
Be professional: have some business cards printed, set up a simple website, and study the subject of sales (sponsors care more about the quality of your presentation than your fishing expertise.)
After these initial steps you are ready to approach sponsors. Don't expect anything other than VIP discounts for several years. This means you will need lots of money or risk your home and family.
One last suggestion is to be your "own sponsor". There are many companies that you can represent as a dealer or rep and be paid directly for the sales you generate versus earning less than minimum wage as a "Pro". For example, I am a dealer for AMSOIL lubricants. I give everyone that I fish with a catalog, I have my web address on my truck and logos on my boat and shirts. Every sale that results for the rest of that customer's life is credited to me. Even customers that have no interest in tournament fishing are positivley influenced by the impressive boat I haul around - and connect AMSOIL products with the high level of performance tournaments require. Tournament experience also serves as a proving ground when I talk to totally unrelated customers year-round. In other words, I promote a product 12 months a year and not just during the fishing season.

[jack neuman]

Agreed. The demand for sponsor dollars is so high that fisherman tend to do anything for a free hat. I still can't believe that people pay for the logo covered hats, jerseys, stickers etc. In minor league and college baseball we used to blot out the logos on our mitts and shoes if we didn't get paid. I always try to keep my logos limited to those who pay me. When we pay for the items that make us a walking billboard, we water down the sponsor market for everyone else. We need to make sure we are compensated for all impressions.

[Yep]

Amen Jack. All of the folks who are thrilled to wear "Brag Rags" but who truly don;t get paid make it harder for everyone else who is truly trying to make a living or even a semi-pro existence.

The boat, motor and gear companies love the dopes who do this for product or delayed billing. YOU are still paying for it. No pro athlete fom NASCAR to MLB promotes stuff for free. You all know who you are. Stop it and propser, continue and go broke helping out Brunswick, Genmar, Pure Fishing and the rest.

Purchase what you can afford. Wear promotional clothing or decals only when you get compensated. Have a business plan, sound accounting advice and keep your sights set on your goals.

[another insider]

Trying to compare a walleye angler to a NASCAR driver is pure lunicy! There are a handfull of walleye guys out there who actually influence people into buying things. I know it sounds extreme and rude but it's the truth.

So the guy gets a little bit of a deal and he feels important by wearing a sponsors shirt and saying he is on a pro staff, who's to say that that is not his dream. Maybe he just realizes that trying to make a living at walleye fishing is right up there with trying to win a lottery and just wants to have fun doing it. SO he get's a couple deals along the way, who is that really hurting?

[Yep]

Another Insider,

Perfect. Keep going down that path and some day the folks at the boat and motor companies will give you a fake gold watch and a pat on the back for all you did for them.

You may be an isider, but not on the pro angler side of things.

[another insider]

You are right that I am not on the "pro anglers side" I am on the side of reality and the side of using the money availbale to me for marketing to the best of my abilities to drive sales. Isn't that what companies should be doing - trying to drive sales with sponsorships? If they aren't driving sales all they are doing is giving money away.

I'm trying to show people what those on the inside look for and how they feel about sponsorships. I am not trying to paint some rozy picture so that some new guy in the sport thinks he can be fully sponsored and will be living the dream right away. Sad to say but a lot of guys think that if thye buy a fancy boat that compnaies will be knocking at there door to sponsor them. You and I know that that just doesn't happen but trust me a lot of guys think that's the way it works.

As for the "brag rags" I agree to a point but if it's your money that you are spending on sponsorship and you have say $1,000 to spend are you going to spend it all on one guy to do a seminar or are you going to give it in the form of product to 5 or 10 guys who will then go back to there local clubs and tournaments and support your product. Again remember to treat this like it's your money.

[marcnsaugeyes]

Boy I think the posts start drifting too soon and too much sometimes. First welcome to the mad world of tournament angling. If your well off financially, mentally and have a wife supports your addiction then your already off to a good start. If your looking for tackle manufacturers try tackle shows or get to know their pro-staff by attending their seminars. Get to know your local sports photojounalist and get coverage in your local newspaper. Not just for fishing but other community services. ( I was dressed up as a zombie for a charity haunted house for small kids and got into the paper). Get your name in print often. Give them fishing reports and be the one who calls to give results after a tournament. When you go after your first couple of sponsors go after ones you have a passion for. Get their product into print before you send them your resume. Perform seminars and include their baits or tackle long before you approach them so your already comfortable promoting them. Work your local market. If your looking for capitol to go after the dream then your hometown is where it's most likely to come from. They need to see an advantage of having that hometown boy go all the way. I've seen more than one town that has a sign that said Home of "WAlleye Professional"YOUR NAME HERE. Be willing to be the part-time employee for the feed n seed annual spring days. There are a FEW who can make a living at it we've all seen that. None of them got there overnight. Many have tried and crashed and many of us are happy to have just a couple of good sponsors who believe in us. It's a mad mad world out here just remember you can only truely love this sport if it stays fun.

[lund man1665]

I was fortunate enough to pick up a local sponsor in my hometown. Then I found my other sponsor here on W.C. They give me some free product, some discounted product and pay me as well. So dont give up your search because other people tell you to!!! I started with a local hotel sponsorship and now I have been blessed to pro staff for a very reputable company in the fishing industry!! I dont fish to make money I fish because I love to do it and my spponsors have made it financially easier for me to do that so I give them my time in return. So contact as many sponsors as you can and eventually some of them will give you a chance!!!! Good Luck!!!

Mike Bisdorf

[dirty underpants]

P.J. hit it smack right on the head!!!!

Fishing Insider, Fishing Insider 2, and the others HAD a chance. Had a chance to be up front, honest, tactfull. To respond in an open forum, as a professional, and make your sponsor's proud.

This exact thing is my belief why the world of professional walleye fishing is floundering. Cut throat.

You guys had an opportunity to come out as a representative of your sponsors, and aid a prospective angler! No different than coming out to a local club on a Saturday and helping with a kids clinic. Someone new to the sport. Excited (like you once were), looking for some direction and advice.

Are you kidding me?!? As a business owner, I couldn't tell you how proud of my "employee" I would be if they did that here. After all, that's what I was looking for. Someone who represents the same beliefs I do in fishing. To promote the sport in a positive light, as my representative.

Nope. It took 30 minutes for the 1st reply to come in. Come back later, don't bother.

Nobody is asking for lies, either way...good or bad. Be a champion for your cause.

AndyR is a true professional. Out there giving honest, helpfull advice. Not all negative, not all rosey. Not hiding. I'd be proud as heck of him, and calling him right now to tell him!

Andy, you need to know what you did here was "worth" more than spending a full day at some boat show, telling stories to people who aren't even going to remember your name the next day.

P.S. I'll bet we NEVER know the real identity's. I'd drop them like a hot rock if it was someone I sponsored.

[tomhowellsfishing]

I'm small potatoes in the sponsorship game. Most of what I get is discounts, delayed billing, and some free product. I support the companies who do this for me, and do run their logos on my tow vehicle, and clothing. I fish a statewide tournament trail, and have some great looking tournament shirts. For me, this is all the more I will ever do in fishing, but it makes me happy, lets me have a little something to be proud of, and in some small way helps my sponsors.

Many of you may remember me asking for help when my daughter was stricken with cancer just recently. Guess who stepped up to the plate in a big way, Northland, Lund, Pure Fishing, Rays Sport & Marine, the NPAA, Cut Foot Sioux Inn, Minn Kota, and Salmo. They stood by me, and I will be forever greatfull.

Tom

[Rick from Fort]

Thank you for sharing that!We should all be feeling a little humble...