As I watched the shiny boats with all the accompaniments a fisherman could ever want gliding through the water, and the broad smiles of the guys who do for a living that thing I'd probably pay others to let me do, the echoes of "Whoa, Son", were replaced in my brain by another proclamation which, while said with equal fervor, will have an effect that lasts much longer.
The B.A.S.S Tournament Trail would now include a Women's Division! I didn't just hear this once; no, it's been repeated each weekend for months now on the fishing "news center" type shows run on ESPN (I'm getting to like those programs- they're pretty well done.) All I could think though, was... why?
Though a lot of people don't like to admit it, men and women are different. I first learned that at age six when my older sister hit me for walking into her room without knocking and she was undressed (I'm surprised that I don't still have the scar!) After that, Mom figured it was time for Dad to give me "The Talk." Unfortunately, that didn't figure into his plans for that day...or week...or month...so nightmarishly, my Mom explained to me that men and women are different.
I won't bore you with all the details, let's just say I couldn't look my mother in the eye for some time after that. She was right, though. About the inside and the outside. The part I have on my mind right now (sorry- that made me laugh for some reason) is the part about us being built differently. The recent fad (that's right, I said it) of women and girls wanting to join all male sporting teams is a great example of the difference. Why is it a bad idea for women to play opposite men on a football team? Because in general, men are bigger and physically stronger than women. This is why you don't see men and women on the same football, baseball or basketball teams. This is also why men don't wrestle women in the Olympics, aside from the problem inherent to groping one another, and that men should treat women with respect.
So, with regard to the creation of a women's fishing division, I ask again, why? Oh, wait- I'm not saying that there's gonna be any hand-to-hand combat among anglers, that's not my point. I'm actually viewing it from the completely opposite side.
There's no physical contact between the men and women, so why the need for separate divisions? Why can't a woman fish right alongside or against a man?
I don't get it, especially since the real competition is not person versus person, but person versus fish. Sure, there may be some bruised egos on the part of some men who get whupped by a lady angler, but they shouldn't see it that way. I think B.A.S.S had the chance to be the first major competitive sporting circuit in which men and women compete together (unless there's something of which I'm not aware.) It's not a demonstration of physical strength or ability, so why not let it be a real competition in which all are involved, so that a real champion can be found?
I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with the things we everyday fish-for-pleasure folks don't consider. Instead of watching as the individual female competitors gather sponsors for themselves, the founding of an entire division could allow B.A.S.S. to gain corporate sponsorship for entire events, making a nice addition to their annual income. I could imagine a whole new line of clothing too, but that could be gained by individual fishers. Please don't think I'm bashing the tourney group over that, if it is the case, 'cause I'm not. They'd be bad businessmen if they didn't do what it takes to succeed, and I don't feel that there's anything underhanded about it, I just tend to look at things a little differently at times.
I think it would be great to have women competing head-to-head, team-against-team with the guys. Now, having said that, picture this:
Years go by with the Women's Division growing and becoming a star attraction of it's own...the competition is tough in the Men's and Women's divisions, and one Saturday on an episode of "Bass Center"...
She: "Y'know, you're a great angler, but I think I could do a little bit better."
He: "Ha ha! That's a nice thought, but I've been doing this for a long time now, and if the guys I face can't take me, then I think you'll need some more seasoning."
She: "So are you saying that you'd rather not go against me?" He: "I'll fish against anybody, I'm just trying to give you a fair shot."
From there the pot gets stirred by the hosts and the magazines pick up on it. More challenges are made and refused, the anticipation builds among all the pro fishermen on the circuit and they start pushing for the competition. Eventually sports writers, TV producers, fishermen, heck- everybody wants to see it happen.
First the one-on-one, then another for a different species, then the team competition, and after a few more configurations of battle, the ultimate:
An all out competition between the men's and women's divisions to find the world's best angler! At this point of course, the rest of the world wants to stake a claim as the best of the best, and you have the setting for an Olympic style competition much like current day Match Fishing, but for the spin fisher. The world of competitive fishing is changed forever! Huge prizes, big money, increased attention to conservation and some great angling!
There's obviously an upside to the split division, but it'll take a determined promoter to make the most of it.
Now, how can we figure fly-fishers into this? Keep the knots out or learn how to use 'em!
~Mark
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The Premiere issue is ready for shipping & the Fall 2008 issue will be available September 1st.
Hatches Magazine Subscription
Price: $6.95 for each issue
The Premiere issue is ready for shipping & the Fall 2008 issue will be available September 1st.
