Saddle up, The Cowboy is coming. Like a high plains drifter, Joey Cifuentes III mopes around. Seemingly unaware of his surroundings, he has the brim of his hat pulled down, minding his own.
But a keen eye peers out for his adversary, the other watchfully on the herd. In this wild west story, a northern smallmouth is the beast. Cifuentes just wants to break the bronco, leave his mark and add another to the herd. He doesn’t want any trouble, but he’s got a job to do as well. Like a true cowboy, Cifuentes has two tasks at hand. Wrangling the cattle with his lasso, and outdrawing anyone who threatens his herd.
With his dropshot and spinning rod, six shooter and lasso of sorts, The Cowboy is doing what he needs to do to survive this showdown. Two 5-pounders have been tamed by Cifuentes so far, outpacing and picking off other shooters one by one. With only four fish in the well and one pound back of the lead, The Cowboy is coming.
Photo by Shane Durrance
