8 days in the life of db (Part 3)

Hang with Don Barone for eight days on the road with the Elite Series.

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Remember this story? 8 days on the road with me. It took you from...
Remember this story? 8 days on the road with me. It took you from…
...A to B where...
…A to B where…
...I left my daughter, Ashley, and nephew, Shawn, in Austin, Texas and headed north to...
…I left my daughter, Ashley, and nephew, Shawn, in Austin, Texas and headed north to…
...the Toyota Texas Bass Classic where the next 8 (or so) days on the road took place.
…the Toyota Texas Bass Classic where the next 8 (or so) days on the road took place.
The TTBC took place on Lake Fork where a bunch of our Elite anglers took part, including the eventual winner, Keith Combs, who has won it 3 times so far.
The TTBC took place on Lake Fork where a bunch of our Elite anglers took part, including the eventual winner, Keith Combs, who has won it 3 times so far.
It was a pretty cool event, my first time there and it was hot...
It was a pretty cool event, my first time there and it was hot…
...but not hot enough for me to do a carrot snow cone.
…but not hot enough for me to do a carrot snow cone.
The music was pretty hot as well...
The music was pretty hot as well…
…including country music star, and one of my personal favorites, Pat Green, who...
…including country music star, and one of my personal favorites, Pat Green, who…
…rocked out with his hit song, Wave on Wave, which...
…rocked out with his hit song, Wave on Wave, which…
…is what I had to do to the event: wave goodbye and head from
…is what I had to do to the event: wave goodbye and head from “C” to “D” on the map which was…
…Russellville, Arkansas and the Elite event on Lake Dardanelle.
…Russellville, Arkansas and the Elite event on Lake Dardanelle.
I got to meet some new friends in Russellville including Wilkins of Wilkins Brothers Outdoors. We stayed at his mom and dad's house where dad Mike somehow talked...
I got to meet some new friends in Russellville including Wilkins of Wilkins Brothers Outdoors. We stayed at his mom and dad’s house where dad Mike somehow talked…
…the baker at the local donut shop, Daylight Donuts, DELIVER donuts to me in the morning as I was writing stories. Personally, I think half of my success as a writer is the direct result of a sugar high.
…the baker at the local donut shop, Daylight Donuts, DELIVER donuts to me in the morning as I was writing stories. Personally, I think half of my success as a writer is the direct result of a sugar high.
It turns out that the outdoor store the family owns was once called Rush Sporting Goods and was one of the oldest sporting good stores in Arkansas. These old floors have seen a ton of anglers in the past...
It turns out that the outdoor store the family owns was once called Rush Sporting Goods and was one of the oldest sporting good stores in Arkansas. These old floors have seen a ton of anglers in the past…
...and in the present come through the doors. Hey Wilkins family, thanks for the hospitality, the great meals, the new friendship…and the donuts.
…and in the present come through the doors. Hey Wilkins family, thanks for the hospitality, the great meals, the new friendship…and the donuts.
On Monday, the first day of practice, I run into this guy...
On Monday, the first day of practice, I run into this guy…
…Jacob Powroznik, who...
…Jacob Powroznik, who…
…just won his first ever Elite event, the Elite shindig on Toledo Bend…congrats man…welcome to the Bassmaster Classic.
…just won his first ever Elite event, the Elite shindig on Toledo Bend…congrats man…welcome to the Bassmaster Classic.
And then Elite event #5...
And then Elite event #5…
...began with registration under the hoops...
…began with registration under the hoops…
...and history in the Hughes Community Center.
…and history in the Hughes Community Center.
But a very cool thing happened at the registration...
But a very cool thing happened at the registration…
…a bunch of the Elite anglers handed me some of their rods and reels for Tackle The Storm, to give out to anglers in Arkansas who lost all their fishing stuff to the recent tornadoes. Thanks guys, appreciate it.
…a bunch of the Elite anglers handed me some of their rods and reels for Tackle The Storm, to give out to anglers in Arkansas who lost all their fishing stuff to the recent tornadoes. Thanks guys, appreciate it.
Shout out to the fans who showed real early to get the best seats even though...
Shout out to the fans who showed real early to get the best seats even though…
...it was raining and...
…it was raining and…
...windy. Oh by the way...that guy up on the roof fixing the flags, that's Eric Lopez, our location guru. I have to make a dreaded RETRACTION of what I said about him in the last 8 days with me thing. Seems I said in the story that he was a Cubs fan, BUT, as I heard SEVERAL times he grew up in the shadow of Comiskey and is a die-hard WHITE SOX FAN...so there Eric...sorry man...forgive me.
…windy. Oh by the way…that guy up on the roof fixing the flags, that’s Eric Lopez, our location guru. I have to make a dreaded RETRACTION of what I said about him in the last 8 days with me thing. Seems I said in the story that he was a Cubs fan, BUT, as I heard SEVERAL times he grew up in the shadow of Comiskey and is a die-hard WHITE SOX FAN…so there Eric…sorry man…forgive me.
Yup…a dog shot. Gotta love dogs, especially...
Yup…a dog shot. Gotta love dogs, especially…
...puppies, so when I see a chance to take a photo of...
…puppies, so when I see a chance to take a photo of…
...man's best friend...it's going to happen.
…man’s best friend…it’s going to happen.
<p>13 minutes to check-in. That's Lisa, one of the backstage B.A.S.S. workers. I did a story about her and some other folks…you can read it <a href=
13 minutes to check-in. That’s Lisa, one of the backstage B.A.S.S. workers. I did a story about her and some other folks…you can read it here.
In the distance...
In the distance…
…the roar begins as...
…the roar begins as…
...the Elites race the clock for check-in. You don't believe me? Click fast through the next 9 photos and you'll see for yourself how KVD came in for check-in. Go ahead...I'll get out of the way. No text, just click through quick...
…the Elites race the clock for check-in. You don’t believe me? Click fast through the next 9 photos and you’ll see for yourself how KVD came in for check-in. Go ahead…I’ll get out of the way. No text, just click through quick…
...told you.
…told you.
And waiting for the anglers: spectators...
And waiting for the anglers: spectators…
...girlfriends...
…girlfriends…
...and wives.
…and wives.
Hey Paul, looking good.
Hey Paul, looking good.
<p>My buddy Ott DeFoe. I'm going to do a story with him called "My Hometown: Ott DeFoe" at the end of the week for the upcoming BASSfest.</p>
My buddy Ott DeFoe. I’m going to do a story with him called “My Hometown: Ott DeFoe” at the end of the week for the upcoming BASSfest.
Under all that…Shaw…can you tell he's a Florida guy who doesn't like chilly weather?
Under all that…Shaw…can you tell he’s a Florida guy who doesn’t like chilly weather?
That's Le Ann Swindle, Go-Pro-ing her husband...
That’s Le Ann Swindle, Go-Pro-ing her husband…
…Gerald Swindle and who knows what he is saying. These two are great friends who do a lot for me...thanks guys.
…Gerald Swindle and who knows what he is saying. These two are great friends who do a lot for me…thanks guys.
Nice crowd turnout to...
Nice crowd turnout to…
…meet and greet the Elites.
…meet and greet the Elites.
I found this guy, Mark Young, in the crowd…you can read his harrowing story about surviving the tornado that struck Arkansas right <a href=http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/just-ask-who-are-you><b>here</b></a>.
I found this guy, Mark Young, in the crowd…you can read his harrowing story about surviving the tornado that struck Arkansas right here.
Up on stage, Billy McCaghren who promised to give $20 for every pound of bass he caught to Tackle The Storm to help the kids in Arkansas and...
Up on stage, Billy McCaghren who promised to give $20 for every pound of bass he caught to Tackle The Storm to help the kids in Arkansas and…
…even his son, Callen, thought it was a cool idea.
…even his son, Callen, thought it was a cool idea.
I have to tell you, this is my good friend Kevin Short. A couple of weeks ago, his entire house was destroyed in the tornado that hit Mayflower, Arkansas, and yet, just a couple of weeks later, he is competing at the highest level. I personally — and I have been around athletes and competition for a long time — I personally think him being on stage was one of the most moving and courageous performances I have ever seen. That's the stuff of a champion right there.
I have to tell you, this is my good friend Kevin Short. A couple of weeks ago, his entire house was destroyed in the tornado that hit Mayflower, Arkansas, and yet, just a couple of weeks later, he is competing at the highest level. I personally — and I have been around athletes and competition for a long time — I personally think him being on stage was one of the most moving and courageous performances I have ever seen. That’s the stuff of a champion right there.
That's Kenyon Hill…a lot less Kenyon Hill. Dude has lost a ton of weight; you can see how in the same story as Lisa & Mark's <a href=http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/just-ask-who-are-you><b>here</b></a>.
That’s Kenyon Hill…a lot less Kenyon Hill. Dude has lost a ton of weight; you can see how in the same story as Lisa & Mark’s here.
John Crews also pledged money, $15 a pound, to Tackle The Storm and it all came about because of...
John Crews also pledged money, $15 a pound, to Tackle The Storm and it all came about because of…
...this guy...my co-founder of Tackle The Storm, Skeet Reese, who came up with the idea of turning pounds to cash to buy rods and reels for kids.
…this guy…my co-founder of Tackle The Storm, Skeet Reese, who came up with the idea of turning pounds to cash to buy rods and reels for kids.
Hey Skeet...thank you, brother.
Hey Skeet…thank you, brother.
This is how I normally see weigh-ins...from behind the stage. Here's what else goes on back here...
This is how I normally see weigh-ins…from behind the stage. Here’s what else goes on back here…
Mainly interviews. Here, Ott's getting interviewed by a local TV station.
Mainly interviews. Here, Ott’s getting interviewed by a local TV station.
Two legends right here: Rick Clunn being interviewed by writer Louie Stout.
Two legends right here: Rick Clunn being interviewed by writer Louie Stout.
There is also a lot of tension back here as...
There is also a lot of tension back here as…
...the anglers wait to weigh their fish and move on to fish the final day as...
…the anglers wait to weigh their fish and move on to fish the final day as…
…both Tackle The Storm board members...
…both Tackle The Storm board members…
…Skeet Reese and John Crews make the final cut to 12 anglers along with...
…Skeet Reese and John Crews make the final cut to 12 anglers along with…
…my roommate on the road, Paul Elias.
…my roommate on the road, Paul Elias.
You know, I'm not supposed to pull for any angler to win, but I do. They are all good friends and none more so then this guy...Rick Clunn. Rick made the 12 cut and I was really hoping he would win but...
You know, I’m not supposed to pull for any angler to win, but I do. They are all good friends and none more so then this guy…Rick Clunn. Rick made the 12 cut and I was really hoping he would win but…
…everybody came to play…and my other good friend, Gerald Swindle, had a great tournament, but...
…everybody came to play…and my other good friend, Gerald Swindle, had a great tournament, but…
...it wasn't good enough. He lost by just 3 or 4 ounces. And you think that doesn't matter, you think they don't care...this is when he knew he wasn't going to win...
…it wasn’t good enough. He lost by just 3 or 4 ounces. And you think that doesn’t matter, you think they don’t care…this is when he knew he wasn’t going to win…
...and this is the moment Jason Christie knew he had won. The agony and the defeat behind the scales. And with that, I took off, heading home and making the 1,400 mile drive with...
…and this is the moment Jason Christie knew he had won. The agony and the defeat behind the scales. And with that, I took off, heading home and making the 1,400 mile drive with…
...this guy, Shimano's Chris Bielert, who also lives in Connecticut…we made the 1,400-mile trip in 23 hours in about a day and a half of non-stop ...driving, and not too long after I got home after being on the road 8 out of the last 10 weeks...
…this guy, Shimano’s Chris Bielert, who also lives in Connecticut…we made the 1,400-mile trip in 23 hours in about a day and a half of non-stop …driving, and not too long after I got home after being on the road 8 out of the last 10 weeks…
…I took another short little trip, this time just 90 miles to NYC and Times Square to...
…I took another short little trip, this time just 90 miles to NYC and Times Square to…
…take my wife, Barb, to her Birthday gift...
…take my wife, Barb, to her Birthday gift…
…a Broadway show, The Book of Mormon, and...
…a Broadway show, The Book of Mormon, and…
…dinner at the famous Broadway hangout, Sardi's, where...
…dinner at the famous Broadway hangout, Sardi’s, where…
…the desserts are show stoppers. Glad to be home now and resting up but see you at the end of the week with a bunch of new stories from BASSfest in Tennessee. See ya. db
…the desserts are show stoppers. Glad to be home now and resting up but see you at the end of the week with a bunch of new stories from BASSfest in Tennessee. See ya. db