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  • June 19, 2009

    Nashville Wrap

    Through two Regionals there is one obvious fact: the talent level is up. Nashville was as deep as Grapevine, and all three tickets to Dogwood were collected by new blood. If the trend continues, September is gonna be fun.

    Tom Boatwright loves him some outdoors and it shows by how he competes and interacts with fellow sportsmen. I got to spend about 10 minutes with Tom before the event, and he never asked for advice or rules clarification. He just wanted to tell me how good the bow-fishing is back home. Loves it, boy, loves it.

    Chris Reed finished second and had his whole family there for the show. He was solid throughout the event and strikes me as a guy who will put in the time it takes to win the TOC. Plus, it’s real hard not to pull for someone when their boys are yelling, “Go daddy!”

    Justin Brown picked up the third invitation and has the ability to compete in the finals.

    —John Davis

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  • June 12, 2009

    Shootin', Singin', and Sleepless

    Nashville was the first Regional to fill, so I guess there really is a correlation between country music and hardcore outdoors. Combining a trip to the CMA Music Festival and the TOC seems like a no-brainer to me, but I’m just small-town with simple taste. Shootin’ targets all day and listening to Jason Aldean rip it up at night sounds just fine.

    The original Total Outdoorsman, Chris Nischan, and top five finalist Daniel Lee Martin, will try and use their experience to return to the Canyon. Chris guides both hunting and fishing, so a rod or rifle is basically an extra digit to him. Daniel Lee was the biggest surprise of last year. He shot the highest ever air rifle score in the celebrity event, finished second in the Regional, and had the highest finish of any rookie in the Finals.

    The rest of the field will come from the South and the southern section of the Mid-West, so the “talent” won’t be just in the celebrity competition. Archery will be good, bait casting great, and air rifle will be out of this world. Well, that’s if the competitors handle the pressure from having to perform in front of a crowd.

    —John Davis

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  • June 9, 2009

    Grapevine Wrap

    A talented field of 40 were not able to break the strangle hold Brian Cramer has on the TOC Grapevine Regional. With 26 points separating first and second place, it was a Texas-size country beat-down. There is so much good I could say about Brian, but I’ll just leave it at this: It’s obvious he’s been working hard to develop his skills.

    Thomas Cooprider held steady through the four disciplines to finish second. No one will out-work Coop heading to the Finals. And with third and fourth place finishes at the finals under his belt, he’s a player.

    James Crawford finished third and will be a contender at Dogwood. I was very impressed with James. He’s cool under pressure and has a world of talent. If all the new blood is as good as James, we’re gonna have fun in September.

    I have to mention Jeff Patterson. He’s a return competitor who has been close before, but this year he tied for third and missed his invitation by the tiebreaker—over-all time. Keep pluggin’ away, Jeff. It’ll happen for ya.

    The Grapevine Bass Pro Shops was a great host, and the competition was strong. I’m already looking forward to a return trip in 2010.

    —John Davis

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  • June 4, 2009

    Elizabeth's Challenge

    Between the Grapevine and Nashville Regionals, the Western contingent of the event crew will spend a few days immersed in Arkansas hospitality. This includes a fishing trip on a couple of really good farm reservoirs. To say the thought of 5-plus-pound largemouth has Eric and Brian excited is way understating their excitement.

    Well, that was until the challenge.

    My oldest, Elizabeth, is coming into her own as an outdoors girl. (Sorry, she’s only 11 and one of my babies, so I’m sure I won’t use the word “woman” in any context referring to her comfortably for at least 25 more years.) She also has quite a bit of her daddy’s bravado when it comes to taking on or issuing a challenge. Sunday afternoon, she wore out some slabs and had the “invincible” rolling.

    A daddy’s “tying up loose ends” call to my boss on the way home became a little brag time for Elizabeth. Let me sum up the Arkansas end of the conversation:

    “Hey Mr. Eric, I pounded ’em… Yes sir, of course it was fun… About 25-30 keepers, or about 20 better than you in a week…”

    So there you go. An 11-year-old girl putting the squeeze on six full-grown men. Time will go faster, missed strikes will hurt more, and the thought of having to eat crow instead of Elizabeth’s crappie will sit with us in the boat all day.

    We are still setting the ground rules, like a 5-pound largemouth equals five crappie, but Monday night there will be a list posted in the comments section of who failed the challenge. And if she emerges victorious, I’ll not only let Elizabeth actually see this site, but post her victory speech.

    —John Davis

    dek: 
    Between the Grapevine and Nashville Regionals, the Western contingent of the event crew will spend a few days immersed in Arkansas hospitality. This includes a fishing trip on a couple of really good farm reservoirs.
    Elizabeth's Crappie
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  • June 4, 2009

    Texas Heat

    After more than a month of chatter, it’s finally time to turn up the heat in Texas. The Grapevine Regional is not only the first up, but very well may prove to be the toughest competition of the four. Look at who’s coming from the Qualifiers and their scores, combined with the automatic-bid-receiving finalist from last year who choose the Lone Star State, and we have us a pretty stiff competition.

    Tom Cooprider, Drew Simon, and Brian Cramer (who, combined, have a 3rd, two 4th, and a 5th places finishes in past TOC Finals) will attempt to two-step their way back to Dogwood. These fellas have been through it, with success, and shouldn’t be surprised at anything the organizers throw at ’em. All three will wish fellow competitors the best and mean it, but when it’s go time they’re gonna try to kick your teeth in.

    The archery and air rifle scores of competitors coming from the Quals are outstanding. The games are different and more difficult. But, Bubba, a 50 is a 50, no matter where you shot it. Someone will smoke both of these courses and put a big ole bear hug on winning this deal.

    Predictions before you actually see someone compete aren’t wise—there are just too may variables. I have seen a bunch of talented outdoorsmen just fold up like lawn chairs under the pressure, but I have no doubt that there will be some new blood in the finals from this Regional. And anyone advancing from this crowd will be a little bit of worry for the Soul Patch Warrior (a.k.a. Paul Thompson).

    —John Davis

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