Even after a year on tour that was tougher than I would have liked, I still owe the sport of bass fishing and the state of Texas a lot. That’s why I’m thrilled that for the fourth straight year, I was able to help organize a CAST for Kids Foundation event in East Texas. It’s actually the 10th year we’ve done it, but the fourth with that particular organization, and I’m proud to say that we’ve passed the half million dollar milestone.
That seems like a lot, and we still have more to give. I’ve been fortunate to fish and hunt all over the country. I can hook up my boat any time and hit the water. But for a lot of the kids who’ve participated in this derby, it may be the only time of year they get to do something like this.
I realize it when I see how excited they get just to put a worm on a hook or catch a small fish. It’s really humbling.
My wife Jennifer and I get a lot of credit for this event, and we do put in a lot of work, but we’re only two small cogs in the wheel. When I first met the CAST for Kids crew in Waco, maybe seven or eight years ago, I was shocked at how much they get done with a bare bones staff and limited resources. It just goes to show that a few determined people can make a huge difference.
We have a strong and generous community here around Sam Rayburn, and my fellow guides and pros all step up big time, too. In addition to the event for kids, there’s a dinner with a big auction. We had guided trips in our auction that went for $1,200 all the way up to over $10,000. We had hunts in the United States, Argentina, New Zealand and Africa. There were lots of one-of-a-kind items and no one shied away from opening up their wallet.
The dinner and auction were made even better by the fact that Shaw Grigsby was our guest speaker. Anyone who has ever seen Shaw speak knows that he’s passionate and animated. He did a fantastic job and he even donated a trip.
I have to thank my sponsors, too. No one at Yamaha, Strike King, Lew’s, Seaguar, Pipe & Steel, Humminbird, Minn Kota, BLV, Loving Toyota or Tackle Addict ever says “no” when I ask for their assistance. In fact, they usually offer up more than I ask for. I’m thankful to partner with every one of them. At a time when the sport and even the broader world sometimes seem hopelessly divided, this was one night when everyone put aside their differences in support of a cause that’s bigger than any of us.
I may not have been the top earner on the water this season, but I hope that I can be the top earner when it comes to charity and good causes. I’ll do everything in my power to make this event grow and grow. It’s important to me and allows me to give back to the sport and the community that made me who I am.
Check out more photos of the event! Photo gallery
