I know that everyone out there has probably read everything on the 2011 Bassmaster Classic and Kevin VanDam’s remarkable victory, along with all the records that this win set.
However, in going over all that info, there are three things about this years classic that really stand out to me that I just figure are worth looking at one more time.
The first being the co-operation of the fan’s and the local community. While several of the angler’s, including KVD, remarked on their personal blogs about the civility of the fan’s, few other outlets have picked up on that.
Apparently, while there was a throng of boats on the water following their favorite angler’s, most of them stayed at a distance that required them to use binoculars to see the action. I think this speaks volumes about the fan’s of this sport and the etiquette that is on display for the rest of the sporting world to look at.
Next, there was a comment from one of the final day competitor’s that caught me off guard. I won’t name the guy but it was recorded that he felt that if KVD was not there, apparently meaning not competing in these events, that there would be more for the rest of them.
Now that got me thinking if that guy really just wants to have it easier or he’s just pi%$ed that he can’t win the way that KVD does. And if that’s the case, why make it easier as opposed to working harder at your own game so that you can compete week in, week out with KVD? I guess I’m a little old fashioned in that I would rather have a guy to butt heads against who sets the bar higher and makes you stretch to beat him than not have to work to win.
Lastly, they tried something new with a camera that was mounted on Kevin VanDam as he was fishing. I guess the producers didn’t get what they wanted from the footage and decided not to air it but, other than the adjustments that KVD made during the tournament that did get publicized, what better tool can you have than watching what he is doing with his hands while he is doing it?
I once read something from a reporter who went fishing with Bill Dance who focused more on what Bill was doing during his retrieve than any other single factor of his fishing. That reporter wrote that try as he might, he just couldn’t duplicate Bill’s retrieve and of course, Mr. Dance beat him like an old rug during their time on the water in spite of the fact that he was using the exact same everything that Bill was using.
Congrats To KVD From MVF
Man, what I wouldn’t give to get my hands on that footage from this classic. Obviously, KVD has something going that is special and short of actually fishing with him, I can’t think of anything that would be more instructive than having a DVD of nothing but what was recorded by that camera! I can dream can’t I?
Congratulations to Kevin VanDam from all of us here at Man Versus fish! Hopefully, we’ll see ya’ on the water …