Down but Never Out

by Jared Pease

On Monday January 4th a bomb was dropped that blew away many anglers and fans of the professional bass fishing world. BASS announced it was eliminating the Women's Bassmaster Tour. There was no forewarning, no hints, no preparatory countdown - "1... 2... 3... RIP" just a completely unexpected, and quite painful, "RIP" that left many of us reeling with emotions. Confusion. Sadness. Anger.

It takes no rocket scientist to figure out who were hurt the most from this abrupt decision - the people who poured their heart, and in many cases, their entire financial existence, into the Women's Bassmaster Tour - the anglers themselves. They too received no warning, just a short letter with a brief explanation of the decision to terminate. There was no well deserved apology, in that letter, just a shove out the door and a "Good luck wherever you land"

And land they did - on both feet, running.

It didn't take long for the ladies of the world of professional angling to stand up, brush themselves off and come up with a game plan. These ladies love fishing more than anything. This terrible news was not about to keep them down. Some of the ladies even looked at this news as a blessing in disguise and a chance for someone to step up and create a women's trail that would finally be handled the way that many of the ladies wanted it to be handled. No more championships being held in cow pasteurs, no more feeling like the red headed step child getting lost in the shadow of a larger organization. Maybe now they would have a chance to stand up, be heard and shine. That is exactly what many of the ladies wanted - so they set their targets.

Now, here we are only ten days after the demise of the WBT and another women's trail is already taking shape. Their first tournament already scheduled for May 5th through 7th on Kentucky Lake. The sole purpose of this tournament is to get all the ladies together in one room and hold a meeting where the ideas will flow as they work towards creating a new women's professional angling trail. Already offers for help and sponsorship are pouring in.

The Sportsman Edge Marina, in Paducah Kentucky, has offered their services and is supplying all the necessities for running the tournament including a trailer and weigh scales. The local marina, The Moors, has offered the ladies the complete run of their resort, free of charge, giving them a headquarters, meeting room and room and board. And many others, from all across the country, have stepped up to the plate as well.

Secret York, one of the organizers of this event, is quite excited about what is taking shape here. While their trail has yet to be named and is still in the works, she is quite optimistic about the future of professional women's bass fishing. This first tournament on Kentucky lake will give them a good idea of what is to take shape. There is a good possibility that it will be followed up by another tournament in the fall. There is even talk about putting together a complete schedule for a trail in 2011.

BASS may have stepped out of the picture but you have not heard the last of women's professional bass angling. After all, they still have a representative of their passion getting ready to cross the stage during the Superbowl of professional bass angling - The Bassmaster Classic. In fact, I am betting that Pam Martin Wells does much more than simply cross the stage. Keep your eyes and ears open folks because this lady angler can fish alongside the best of the best and I have a feeling the world is about to see just how well a woman, a rod and a little green fish go together.

These ladies are powerhouses and when they set their mind to something, you can be sure that they will carry through. A new trail is on the horizon and I am excited for it.

To find out more about the developing trail please visit Cheryl Bowden's website