KVD’s reign appears to be over…

UPDATED–Kevin VanDam did not have a good year. Check that, the iconic KVD did not have a good last two years.

But just a note to apologists. His 53rd place finish this year in the 106-angler Bassmaster Elites is not an illusion.

You have just witnessed the end of the dominance and uncanny consistency of the guy who once made every right decision and out-worked virtually every other competitor.

Is he through? No. His experience over (more…)

Hoping (even praying) for a wet El Niño winter may not be enough to make it happen. That’s my take, based on today’s El Nino Watch from the Climate Prediction Center. Sure, the predictions are based on a discussion of the conditions being witnessed, so a consensus may or may not be reached, but it looks like I may not have to do any preemptive roof work after all. (more…)

NOT QUITE READY, but I’m getting there…

I was hoping to get over to Lake Mead this week, having spent last week putting together all this summer’s rod, reel and line combinations for another shot at the U.S. Open.

But what I had not allowed for was so many other things associated with boat and motor prep, along with storage reorganization. Before I could get to the highway, I needed my annual Anglers Marine water pump replacement, computer diagnosis, plus a strap here, a hinge there, plus some bulk oil for the extra miles I plan to run before Sept. 8.

I won’t bore you with the specifics, (more…)

A bass boat (NOT PICTURED in this file photo) was involved in a fatal collision at El Capitan Lake.

UPDATED–If you heard about the death of a young angler {officially two anglers} and bass boat involvement in the crash at El Capitan Lake yesterday (click here) then you know everyone in the sport has a knot in their stomach about this.

And while not all the facts are clear, finger-pointing will fix on someone. Yet, I have to think that of the potential causes, sheer lunacy is probably not the primary issue. (more…)