Posted by PRESS
on September 3, 2008, 8:42 am
Message modified by board administrator September 3, 2008, 8:44 am
AUGUSTA CHRONICLE – SEPT. 3, 2008
Low levels force closure of Wildwood ramp
By Rob Pavey
Thurmond Lake’s falling water levels forced the closure Tuesday of Columbia County’s six-lane “mega-ramp” at Wildwood Park.
“Right now it’s unsafe for larger boats to use any of the ramps,” said Barry Smith, the county’s community and leisure services director.
The closure will affect the lake’s dominant bass tournament venue and six major events scheduled there in September and October, including the area’s inaugural ESPN Women’s Bassmaster tour Sept. 18-20, Mr. Smith said.
No tournaments have been canceled, but organizers are being notified and efforts are under way to arrange alternate locations for anglers to launch.
“We’ve notified all the tournament owners of the conditions up here, and basically let them know we’d love to have them, but they may have to launch from other sites,” he said.
Thurmond Lake’s full pool is 330 feet above sea level.
On Tuesday, it had fallen to 315.5, and forecasts indicate it will continue to fall without heavy rains.
Wildwood’s $1.1 million ramps, completed in 2003, have been closed several times because of low water, and extended twice in efforts to make them usable during droughts.
The most recent closing occurred last September, when the lake’s pool fell to 322 feet above sea level.
The ramps reopened in January after a $450,000 renovation was completed.
“They were redesigned to work down to 315, and we’re about there now,” Mr. Smith said.
“You really need 3 feet of water on the ramps to launch safely, and after that it drops off severely.”
The Women’s Bassmaster event, with 85 boats, has no plans to change its schedule, BASS publicist Doug Grassian said when notified of the ramp’s closure.
“We’re certainly not going to cancel, but if we need to move to other ramps, we will do so, but we can still hold our weigh-ins at Wildwood.”
Other tournaments scheduled this fall include: BFL this Saturday and Sunday with 100 boats; American Bass Anglers Sept. 13-14, with 45 boats; the Sept. 27 Sportsman’s Festival and Wild Game Cookoff; the Mr. Clarks Hill tournament Oct. 4, with 40 boats; and a major FLW Tour event Oct. 22-25 with about 200 boats, Mr. Smith said.
The Corps of Engineers’ Web site lists 18 ramps at the reservoir that remain usable, including Lake Springs, Amity and Cherokee.
MIDDLETOWN (NY) TIMES HERALD-RECORD – SEPT. 3, 2008
Column
Dirks: So you want to be a pro angler?
With more than 4,000 bass tournaments held around the country each year, there are plenty of folks who eye the possibility of becoming a professional bass angler. Millions of dollars in prize money and serious corporate sponsorships are available.
However, the odds of becoming a full-time professional tournament angler are steep. Most pros agree that less than 1 in 10 make it to the pro bass tournament level of fishing.
Jimmy Mason has been a bass pro since 1995 and is no stranger to the hectic and competitive life of the bass tournament angler. Mason participates in both BASS and FLW tournaments held around the U.S. each year. He’ll be competing in the FLW Eastern series tournament on Lake Champlain Sept. 10-13 (flwserieseast.flwoutdoors.com).
In a recent interview on the DirksOutdoors show on WTBQ, Mason shared his advice and guidance to would-be pro bass anglers.
Mason’s advice to young anglers participating in local youth tournaments through programs such as Junior Bassmasters is to get a college education first.
“I wouldn’t advise any youngster to start this before finishing college,” Mason said. “One thing a college education gives you is something to fall back on, or it gives you an opportunity to make some good money while you’re trying to become a full-time angler. College also teaches you how to think in a logical and organized manner.
“Pick a degree that gives you some flexibility with work so that you can work flexible hours and have plenty of time on the water.”
Mason has a degree in electrical engineering that was key in helping him early in his bass fishing career.
“Fishing professionally is not something that accidentally happens,” he said. “You don’t just decide one day that you’re going to start full time next year. It’s like any other career that requires a five-year plan that you have to work yourself into.”
Mason stressed that is also important for an aspiring pro angler to fish as a co-angler in as many pro-level tournaments as possible.
“Fishing as a co-angler, where you’re making your own decisions, is like getting a college course in tournament fishing,” Mason said. “You’re going to learn from guys that have tons of experience and have been around for a long time. Over time, you’ll make some great friendships and valuable contacts. Find a pro that you really trust and practice with them before tournaments.
“As a co-angler fishing with another pro, you have to watch how they practice and the mental processes they go during practice. That experience will go a long way when you decide to move up to the front of the boat and fish full time.”
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