As you read this, a good many of us are preparing for Capt. Mack’s Professional Grade Spring Fishing Classic.
For instance, from the Lake Country, Kevin Wahl, Mark Smith, Jim Lumpkin and myself will all be there. Trust me, you do not want to miss this event!
It’s going to be held Feb. 4, at Jim Ellis Mall of Georgia GMC at 3600 Buford Dr. in Buford, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. – or until I pass out!
In addition to our very own Smith from ReelTime Guide Services, also on hand will be Ryan Hanks and Franco Curotto of Cast Fishing Jimbo on Lanier, Capt.
Brandon Davis from Bent Rod Charters, L.J.
Harmon from Lanier Baits (the dropshot Jedi), Capt. Ron Mullins of The Striper Experience, Capt.
Adam Parker, Oakwood Bait and Tackle’s Paul Marks and Kris Kemp, Ryan Marquis from Tiny Boat Nation, and Marty Allagood from The Bait Shack.
You’ll also be able to book with guides such as Capts. Davis, Smith, Wahl and myself.
I encourage any of you that can, to come up and take part in this event.
The fishing and outdoor world needs these kinds of events; we need true fishing and hunting events like this, not just the typically crowded halls filled with bric-abrac and junk. We need seminars, vendors who know about and love their crafts, and experts we can chat with about all our concerns and questions.
These events are vital to the continued success of our sport and the personal growth of each of us as outdoorsmen.
In the glory days I remember going to the NWTF Convention about this time of year in Unicoi and I remember the Atlanta Boat Show being filled with guides and lodges from all over the South. We had Fisharama back then, filled with bass boats, crappie rods, crappie jigs, bass tackle, and celebrities like Capt. Mack and O’Neal Williams, Bill Dance and Orlando Wilson. These were the events we looked forward to each year. My dad and I booked trips, bought gear, and met great people. I’m truly thankful to see these events making a comeback and can’t wait for this one.
When I was probably 10 or 11 my father and grandfather took me to the NWTF show at Unicoi. We went every year as far as I remember, and quite frankly, I don’t know if it was the state or national show.
Regardless, that year I had a little money and wanted to buy a mouth call. We turkey hunted a lot back then. I mean every Saturday morning my grandaddy would pick me up and we’d go to White Plains and hunt.
So, I was into turkey hunting, to say the least.
Anyway, as I was walking around talking to people and looking at calls, I saw the Quaker Boy calls booth and a vast array of mouth calls. Oh man I had hit the motherlode! Well, I made a beeline over there and started looking and asking questions. An older gentleman came over and started talking to me. He took a call off the table, gave it to me, and picked up an identical one. He sat there for an hour or more showing me how to make yelps, purrs and cuts.
Yes, I bought the call, and it turned out the older gentleman was Mr. Dick Kirby, founder of Quaker Boy and one of the greatest turkey hunters ever to strut the woods.
So yes, ladies and gentlemen, these shows are important and if you see me wandering around stop me. Talk to me! I love sharing what we all have been so blessed to do. See you folks Saturday!