I'm a competitive person. If I'm going to do something I want to do well and beat the crap out of everybody else that does it. Fishing is no different. I've fished all my life and I'm fairly sporty with a rod and reel.
Over the years I've fished in tournaments and done fairly well. Granted, you won't see me on the Bassmasters circuit any time soon, but I can hold my own on most days. While I have no illusions of being the best, no woman has ever out fished me. Ever.
I've been soundly beaten by women in golf, tennis and horseshoes, but never has a female bested me in fishing. And I don't just say this without backing it up, I've gone up against one of the best the female gender has to offer and still came out on top.
I was writing a feature story on a lady that's a professional bass fishermen. She's competed in men's and women's events and done quite well. She's a regular on the women's pro tour and has won events. In the course of doing a story she invited me fishing and I accepted.
I told my wife who I was fishing with and that a woman had never beaten me. She told me my record just might be in jeopardy. It was certainly going to be a challenge, but I knew I had to man-up and bring my A-game.
The deck was stacked against me right from the start. We were fishing out of her boat, meaning she got to run the trolling motor and fish out of the front of the boat. Fishing out of the front is a huge advantage and a big hurdle for me to overcome. I also had to find time to take notes and a few pictures for my story and this too gave her an advantage. All she had to do was fish, while I had to worry about getting good quotes and checking to see if the light was right.
Nevertheless, I adapted. It was tough day on the water. The bites were few and far between. When the water settled and boat docked I knew that my accomplishment was great and once again I staved off the notion that a woman could beat me bass fishing. There were only five fish caught that day. I caught four, including the biggest fish, a five-pound lunker. The pictures that ran in the paper show her holding MY big fish. It was a great day. Oh yes it was a glorious day.
I'm not saying women can't fish. I'm not say that on any given day a woman can't beat me bass fishing. What I am saying a woman hasn't done it yet.
A time may come when the record gets tarnished. The king may get knocked off the hill. But, until that does comes the record still stands with me on top.
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For some reason, I can't picture you playing tennis. (Long Island ice teas in the clubhouse with Peyton and Muffy after a match?)
I can, however, clearly imagine you gloating over catching the bigger fish!
Back in my younger, more athletic days I played tennis. I wasn't very good because I'm not a big fan of running without a purpose. I'll run to good food and run away from somebody chasing me.
Most women are squeamish about putting a worm on a hook. I know I am. Crickets, too.
When we were little girls, my grandfather would take us fishing. He baited the hook for us until we got over seeing the poor worm writhe and could do it ourselves. (I remember that being the worst part. I felt so sorry for the worm!)
We were always very proud of the fish we caught, though. And we LOVED eating them.
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