Page 36 - Lady Bass Digital Magazine March 2023

pounds, and just short of big bass. Charlotte was having a keeper dry spell, but I tried best to help her find one.
She was gracious, nonetheless. So, at the end of the day, I weighed in two nice keepers and felt a small sense of
redemption. I learned many things that week; I could write a whole book on the emotional and psychological
aspects of fishing. I think, however, the most important lesson I learned is that each lake we fish has its own
natural bass hang outs- brush, docks, cedars, grass, humps, ledges. You can try your hardest to fish what you
know . . . and sometimes it works. But sooner or later you have to bite the bullet and go where the bass WANT
to be and see if you can make it work.

I share all this not to scare anyone off. I’ve come a long way in the last 12 years, and fortunately my nerves and
fears are not quite as debilitating as they used to be. But each tournament teaches me something- about myself,
about people, about bass, about nature. I come away braver, stronger, more empowered, and touched by new
friends and experiences - things I would have missed out on if I hadn’t faced my own fears and trepidations.

36 Lady Bass Anglers Association