Gray skies outside my rain-splattered window are making me rethink my plan to spend half-a-day on the lake.
As I pondered my options (clean the garage or fish in the rain) I realized that I had not sent in my entry fee for what has become the annual harbinger of autumn’s arrival: the HD Marine Camp Sunshine tournament.
A quick call to the Buford boat dealership, however, made the day even grayer. I was informed that for the first time in nearly two decades the benefit tournament was not being held.
No specific reason was offered, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if waning attendance at bass tournaments might be part of the reason.
It seems that back in the 1980’s and 90’s there were a lot more tournaments from which to choose. I recall having to cull through tournament flyers and decide which I could fit into my schedule. Many summer evenings had multiple competitions from which to choose.
I also belonged to a bass club that had a waiting list of fishermen who wanted to join. Many clubs had to cap membership to comply with constraints attached to permits issued by the Army Corps of Engineers.
I must have blinked my eyes because things have changed. Many bass clubs have disbanded because of low membership numbers. Fewer and fewer pot tournaments are being organized.
Even the crowds at the Bassmaster Classic – the World Series of bass fishing which I try to attend as a spectator each year – have been smaller.
Our culture has changed; not that fishing has been discarded but, rather, other options have taken fishing’s place. Add to that the fact that a new bass boat can cost upwards of $60,000 and you have the recipe for ‘looking elsewhere’ for your thrills.
Not long ago I was fishing a tournament with a Millennial, a young man I have known since his high school days, and every time I looked in his direction he was on his cell phone…tweeting something or checking his Facebook page. My, how things have changed!
Life, all 64+ years of it, has taught me to accept change and not let it control how I feel. (I once had a full head of hair and could dunk a basketball; now my head has about as much hair as that basketball.)
I enjoyed the glory days of tournament bass fishing here on Lake Lanier, I treasure the great memories and friends I picked up along the way, and I’m certain they will someday return.
Until then I’ll just say, “Thank you, Lord, for Your marvelous creation and the chance to enjoy it.” And not having to worry about finding a parking place at the boat ramp is just icing on the cake.
