72 Mississippi Sportsman^ | April 2015
scenario at Sardis a few seasons ago on
the day before the tournament.
Tournament veterans Ricky and Jimmy
Smith beached their Ranger in very
windy conditions, and the rollers filled
their boat instantly as soon as they put
the bow of the boat on the beach.
I mean it went down, brother — down
to the bottom.
Luckily, after the storm passed, we were
able to get the boat afloat and the bilge
pumps still worked. Scary few minutes
for all who were caught in extreme
winds.
And, if I go even further back in MCC
history — about 15 years ago or so —Charles Wallace from Memphis sank his
boat at Eagle on the Friday before the
tournament.
He got there just as everyone else was
scrambling to get out of the lake. We
begged the man not to put in; we saw the
storm coming from the west.
“Please, Charles, come with us to Ms.
Allen’s,” we urged. “We’ll play dominoes
and eat chili. You’re going to die if you go
on that lake.”
He went.
It hit.
Sixty mph winds.
Down went the boat.
Knock, knock, knock (Thirty minuteslater).
“Err, Paul, can you and some of the
fellers come help me get my boat out of
the lake?” Charles asked. “It’s washed
up against the rocks just below the new
landing.”
We somehow baled enough water
out of the cracked and totaled boat.
Miraculously, it floated enough for me
to attach a tow line from the back of my
boat and haul Charles around to the
ramp.
It was a bad decision to go against
Mother Nature that afternoon.
Folks, we never know exactly what the
weather will bring. Use good sense: No
amount of fish or points is
worth risking life, property or
pride.
I’m glad we all got off the
lake at Washington with no
incidents.
To the best of my recollec-
tion, we’ve canceled only two
tournaments in 24 seasons.
Both times, tornadoes were
predicted to be imminent.
Even then, we had some
competitors who were upset
when the board canceled the
events.
We’ve fished in some tough
conditions from extreme freez-
ing, single-digit temps to high
winds. Yep, Pat, I believe you’re
right: Lake Washington was
the windiest tournament we’ve
ever fished.
What’s next?
Two Big Mama Opens — the
first one at Grenada, followed
by one on Barnett. These are
open events — no club mem-
bership required.
The Big Mama Opens will
be great. With good weather,
we should have a huge crowd.
These BMOs potentially pay
a record $5,000 cash to the
Top 3.
Go to http://www.magnoliacrap-
pieclub.com for full details.
Join the tournament fun:
MCC is a great bunch. ■as Big as they grow continued
- Auto Glass Replaced
- Rock Repairs
- Shower Doors
- Window & Picture Frame Glass
- Insulated Glass
- Plexi Glass
- Patio & Sliding Door
- Commercial Store Fronts & Doors
- Heavy Equipment Glass
Our Services Include:
If this is your view
from inside
your truck,
call
Venable
today.
RIDGElAnD
660 Hwy 51
Ridgeland, MS 39157
601-605-4443BRAnDon
209 Woodgate Dr. S
Brandon, MS 39042
601-824-4405