The clock is ticking down for my first event on the Elite Series. I am ready to get in my Skeeter and Fish! The start of the season is the beginning of travel, long hours, and not much sleep. It is what I love to do.
I have not made a cast since I filmed my last television show for Strike King. It was December the 12th. Two months of no fishing has been tough. I am preparing my body for the rigors of the tour. My elbow has been on the mend from a nerve issue. I have been to my doctors and regularly doing my therapy. The hand and elbow are gaining strength from the exercise program. The routine is very simple and builds strength in all of the muscles in my arm. I won’t look like Popeye. These exercises are helping at this point! I still have four more weeks to be ready! My resolution (New Year’s) is still on track! Twenty pounds is my goal on losing weight. I currently stand at fifteen lost! My current goal is to cut down on diet sodas. Adding more water to my system simply makes me feel better! The caffeine in those drinks gives me a boost to get through the days, but it is time to reduce the caffeine intake.
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| No more cookies on this diet! |
I have more boat shows to attend in the coming weeks. This weekend I will be appearing in my hometown of Paducah, KY. It will be nice to sleep in my own bed while attending an event for Skeeter Boats. Next week is the Bassmaster Classic. The Classic Sport Show is always a blur for me. Along with sponsor duties, I will be doing various video and radio interviews. It is not much fun being on the sidelines not competing. Staying busy really helps. It will also be fun to meet all of the greatest fans of bass fishing at the show.
I keep working on all of my tackle. This is a process that I cannot do in a day or two. I feel that I do a better job if I break up my time and spend a couple of hours each day with it. My first two events are in Florida. I have my boxes loaded with Ragetail and Perfect Plastics from Strike King. I also have every box and rod labeled with Line Rite Tackle and Rod Tabs. These small colorful labels cut down on the time to try to find the perfect bait. The Rod Tabs will ensure I have picked up the rod with the correct size line for the pattern that I am fishing. These little tabs really help me with the hardest part of my job….organization! They will have me ready to transition my tackle to the third event at Bull Shoals. It will be totally different at Bull Shoals, but I will be ahead of the curve ready to roll!
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| Custom colored 6XD cranks |
I have been working on my boat wrap and jersey as well. It is very slow going. The process has so many details. We are on track to get it all done. The shirts will be finished next week. My wrap will be ready the following week. There is so much effort that goes into my job. I wish I could just get to the water.
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| Ready for battle. Preparation meets success! |
Another family member is also on the mend. I included a picture on my last blog entry of Scooter and Cesar our dogs. About two months ago, Scooter was helping me work on several articles in my office. I stood up to take a break. I stepped back on to his foot. He squealed as I had stepped on his little foot. He lost his toenail in the process. He does not seem to hold a grudge as he still edits all my work and gives kisses! Scooter was my old friend Barkley’s buddy during his later days. You just have to love dogs! They really give our family a lot of love!
The flowers in my yard are coming up and the trees will be budding soon. Our regular pair of Canadian geese has made it back to our pond to hatch their young. Spring is on its way. That means fishing will be here soon. Time for you to prepare too!