Bass BumsLovers Of All Things Bass FishingSo who are Bass BumsŪ? They're individuals young or old, male or female, with a passion for all things bass fishing. This is an individual who embraces and knows to be true the old saying:
"A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work!" This individual loves all the paraphernalia of bass fishing be it rods, reels, plugs, soft bait, fishing equipment, fishing tools, bass boats, fishing line or anything else one can collect, manipulate, create or use to fish for and catch largemouth and smallmouth bass, or when weather fails, diddle with in their own private "Bass Bum Tackle Lounge". Bass BumsŪ savor early mornings on lakes, rivers and reservoirs and the quite solitude and peace they bring. They realize a sense of calm in watching the sun set while sitting in their boat with line in water. They marvel at the soar of an eagle above them or the cry of a loon unseen somewhere on the lake. They thrill in the smashing strike on a topwater lure and the anticipation and excitement that comes with a slight tick or a jarring thump of their line. They experience a sense of extreme elation and expectation as they fight the unknown struggling on the end of their line. They look intently at the water for that first flash of white when the bass is "up", close enough for that first glimpse, and they exalt in yelling to their fishing partner, "It's a hawg, get the net", even when it may not be. They delight in returning to the dock or cabin at days end to share stories about bass they caught and the big ones that got away. They enjoy cooking an evening meal as a group effort while having a few brews or perhaps a bourbon in a plastic cup with their fishing buddies, friends all. A day drifting the river seeking smallmouth and "spots" in holes or current temporarily erases from their mind all matters, demanding or troubling, as they focus on nothing but the present. They become enveloped in a quiet repose. Bass BumsŪ fish for bass because they love to. They love the environments where bass hang out, as they are never lacking in beauty. They love trying to outwit a creature whose formidable survival skills have been honed over a thousands years. They enjoy sharing a day in a boat with a good friend, when conversation may be minimal and there is solitude without loneliness. Bass fishing removes them from the gathering places of crowds that are at times, simply ugly. They fish because it takes them away from a daily regimen of things they may dislike intensely but are trapped in doing by society's demands. They fish quite simply, for the pure joy of it. My fishing buddies and I are Bass BumsŪ. Come along and meet a few of us. "PURD"
This guy is me. Affectionately known as "Purd". I am not just passionate about bass fishing, I'm consumed by it. I'm a junk fisherman. I'll try any technique, tackle, or lure as a "student" of this great sport. I spent 30 years in the world of marketing, selling, manufacturing and distributing medical and surgical products.
"MITCH" This fellow is "Mitch", though some call him the "Commish". That smile on his face is due to the smallmouth in his hands, the first he ever caught over 5lbs. Mitch is our "live bait" guru. He knows more about "minner" fishing than most any man I know. Mitch spent the last three decades in law enforcement retiring from the FBI a couple of years ago. A great cook whose specialty is meat, especially pork loin and ribs.
"ELMO" This gentleman is "Elmo". He is an attorney with a predilection for bass fishing rivers. Thus, he is our "river specialist". Though he likes lake fishing his first love is floating a river. A glass of Irish whiskey and a good cigar make him happy, though beer works just fine too.
"JUDGE" To the right is a Bass Bum known as the "Judge". Not sure why, he has never been a judge, though he is an attorney. The name just seems to fit. He has an appreciation for well seasoned food, beer and a good cigar. He is also a very good cook upon whom we often rely.
"Miss Katy" This college co-ed is our first lady Bass Bum. She is an excellent bass angler as well as an outstanding golfer. It's embarrassing to admit, but she manages to consistently beat the other fellas on this page in both sports.
"Hotrod" This guy, a regional manager for a medical products company, is a "fly rodder" for trout first and a bass angler second. All he needs to do is shift that love of fly fishing for trout to fly fishing for smallmouth. Now that's an exhilarating combo. A graduate of The University of Tennessee and lover of rock climbing and snow skiing.
"Bart"
Grew up bass fishing the Stones River and Center Hill Lake, but now he's a Dale Hollow smallmouth nut. He loves fishing and the fellowship that goes along with the trips. He is the master of allegory never failing to entertain the rest of us when relaxing in the evenings with a good meal and a beer.
An icy cold Bud is his favorite brew!
"Bart III"
This is big Bart's progeny. He's an outstanding member of the Lambuth University baseball team in his senior year. It's not unusual for him to out-fish his dad and most of the other Bass Bums! Check out the 24 1/2" largemouth caught here in Tennessee July 20, 2009. He didn't have a scales with him but it had a 16" girth. You can do the math.
There are others with whom we fish which I consider to be Bass BumsŪ. There is a nursery owner, a salesman of medical products, a school teacher and a real estate agent as well as "another" attorney. I'll introduce them all to you as time goes by.
BECOME A BASS BUMŪWe're looking for pictures of bass like the ones above. We want largemouth bass pictures and pictures of smallmouth bass. Join the Bass BumŪ ranks. Send us a "digital" photo of yourself with a bass you caught, include some info about the circumstances of the catch including weight, length etc and we'll put it in our Bass Bum Gallery.If you have a nickname include that too, so long as it's "decent", nothing profane please. Go to "Contact Us" now.
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