I was already mad at wasting an entire semester in a class just because I had to…only to be asked such a stupid question. So, my answer reflected my attitude at that moment…
“Because”!
That final exam took me less than 2-minutes instead of the allotted 4-hours. I got up…turned in my one word answer as everyone stared in disbelief…got my “A”…and never looked back.
With all the available blogs to follow, something tells me “Because” isn’t the right answer this time.
It was January 12, 2011 and it was cold outside. Too cold to fish, but not too cold to be thinking about it. I hate this time of the year. You know it’s going to get warmer but it doesn’t seem to be in any big hurry. So…it’s back to organizing my tackle (3rd time this winter) and watching fishing shows on cable (even re-runs seemed exciting). I’m slowly going crazy.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I get this “brilliant” (okay, maybe not so “brilliant”!) idea. I call my golfing/fishing buddy. I tell him, “Jack, I’m going to fish every body of water in Region 4 this year and my goal is to catch at least one fish from every one of them”. Little did I know just how many there are. Over 30 if you count everything that’s got water in it!
The next day I shot off an email to the KDWP telling them of my plans and that (if they were “brilliant” like me) they would have me writing a blog about my experiences on the State web site. I told them I was really smart, highly credible, an outstanding writer, extremely good looking and most of all a great fisherman. I know…I probably shouldn’t have held back so much huh?
I never expected to hear back…ever. WRONG! Not only did I hear back but it was a 45-minute conversation with a great guy, Tom Lang, Fisheries Programs Specialist Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism…! Over the next 4-months I had several conversations with key people at the KDWP, conferences calls and planning meetings.
In 90-days that Blog became the most followed Blog (except for “fishing reports”) on the State web site. Ultimately the Blog was closed and has now be converted to this…my own personal Blog http://www.kansasfisherman.blogspot.com.
The goals have changed some…but the overall purpose is the same. Help you catch more fish in local waters close to your home (no matter where you live or what state you live in) so you (and your family) can have as great an outdoor experience as possible.
Here is what you can expect from this blog…
1. A report on every body of water I fish (even when I don’t catch anything) including both private and public waters for the purpose of helping you catch more fish. With an occasional exception all fishing will be on public waters accessible to everyone.
2. Fishing instruction designed to help you catch more fish. Every posting will contain “tips” and instruction…not just a “report”…which is one big reason this blog will be different.
3. Videos shot “live” as it happens…the good, the bad and the ugly. My wife gave me permission to buy a camera which records in HD. That’s why I married her…besides loving me (I think?) she wants me out of the house (a LOT!) and…she is willing to spend money to make sure that happens. (Forget it…she is already taken…go find your own!)
4. Access to my personal web site (http://www.KansasFisherman.com) where I will be posting even more fishing information, in-depth instruction and tips for all levels of fisherman from beginner to tournament anglers.
5. Incredible wit and humor. (Okay…maybe that’s a stretch!)
We aren’t selling anything…except the idea that we all need to take advantage of what the KDWP has done for us in the way of fishing opportunities and that you (regardless of your fishing experience!) can learn to catch more fish and have more fun than you thought possible.
That’s it! Oh…one more thing we are selling…that you can catch more fish this year, do it closer to home than ever before, and do it without investing a lot of money in rods, reels, tackle and boats.
One last thing. Why am I qualified to write this blog, do instructional articles and videos and try to help you catch more fish?
I spent 7-consecutive years fishing 35-weekends a year in professional bass fishing tournaments throughout the Midwest including Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. I have twice represented Kansas as a member of the Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation State Team that included a top 10 finish in the world team championship against other 6-man teams representing 36-states and 3-foriegn countries. I also qualified for the Tournament of Champions for the first ever "Florida Freshwater Fishing Championship".
Impressed? Me neither. Maybe the best reason I am qualified is because I care about you… I care about what our KDWP is doing to help each and every one of us expand our fishing opportunities…and…
I care that you catch more fish than ever before.
That’s why I volunteered in the first place.
For the record: My time and expenses are all out of my own pocket! I’m already out $1,400 dollars of my own money before even writing this first blog. (Told you Jackie wanted me out of the house a LOT even if she had to pay for it!) (Note: I am certainly open to “sponsors” and “advertisers” of all types to help them be successful and help me defray some costs. Just thought I would throw that out!)
Okay…that’s “Why another blog” and that’s why I hope you regularly “tune in”. .
So if you think those are good enough reasons to qualified me for a little of your valuable time, then won’t you please join with me…join BOTH this blog AND join my web site http://www.KansasFisherman.com …check it out daily/weekly…look for me out on the water…and let’s go catch some fish together.
Clay
http://www.KansasFisherman.com 
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