this is one of those stories that has to be told . I was invited by some of the well known TFF folks to visit the GTG Saturday at lake Palestine .even though it was an open invitation I was encouraged to go hang around by several folks this weekend .I didn't think it was something I could manage . but at the last minute on Thursday a broken plan seemed to unfold a really great TFF person offered a place to stay and I asked if I might bring a friend along for the trip as well and my host told me I was more than welcome to bring him . the plan went well except for my failure to pay attention to directions and the ability to get lost even with an on the dash board GPS ... so after circling Athens like a couple of buzzards a few times I managed to find my way to lil spot on lake Palestine that was just a dream come true , we started to ketch fish from the moment we got there . the scenery was beyond compare , the fish were hungry and my host was one of the most hospitable people I have ever met . I got to also meet what was without a doubt what is going to be a legendary fisherman someday as well . Gavin is 14 and has the heart of the best . he is driven to ketch fish like only one or 2 people I have ever met . what a wonderful young man this young fella was ...nevermind the video games ....Gavin fishes non stop from when he wakes till when he sleeps ...simply amazing that there are any of these left on the earth I tell
anyway as it happens frequently I went to ketchn fish when I got there as well . everything was biting and the entire situation was just surreal . the lodging scenery and amenities were perfect as was the weather . now to say I am good with clock management is for sure a silly thing to utter . we were late everywhere we went and the phones didn't work for diddly out there as well we managed to miss one boat ride because we couldn't communicate and probably some tips on ketchn fish as well . so we looked at a map of the lake , picked 3 spots and found crappie at all 3 locations . we stumbled into the GTG late and almost didn't get lunch , the party was winding down and were unfashionably late for sure , we did get there in time to hear Mr. Crappie and chat with some friends and meet some new found friends there as well . so after the party was over the final venue included a bunch a super nice stuff ....assorted crappie tackle and bunches a really cool items were being handed out to everyone and a big ole pickle jar had everyone's names in it for random drawings of assorted items . my bud ends up getting his name drawn to actually get the rod Mr. Crappie himself used for 2 days to ketch fish with at the lake are you kidding me ? WOW ! and so on the name drawing goes and the items are presented to all the winners .I wasn't paying very close attention to everything as I was trying to get to know a few folks a bit before the event was over . I do want to apologize for our rather tardy arrival . hopefully we were not terribly distracting in the chain of events and I am totally sure I missed some of the best parts without a doubt . so they get down to the last prize and I am wandering around laughing with my buds and cutting up a bit still shaking hands and then someone and I am at a loss for who at this point ...says hey bud ...I say what ?
they just called your name what I said ? he said they called your name for a prize .....
I turned around to see Shut up and Fish and the announcer with a beautiful new Hummingbird Graph 688 DI in hand and smiling at me. i am still in shock and really cant begin to say THANK YOU ALL enough . it was rather obvious I needed to get a good extra top shelf selfie so when I got home late I got the photo !
K A B O O O O O O M and THANK YOU ALL once again !

and I got to meet a legend -

Looks like you guys had a great time!

Oh and congrats on the DF! Now maybe we can get some better pics of what you come across!

that's hilarious my friend ...flat out stupid funny
I may even have to change my sig er screen name sometime soon .....
we need to go fish ketchn someday brother
very nice to meet ya

Wow! That was super nice prize.

thanks sir ....a super duper adventure without a doubt
if they do this again I am going to make sure I get much more involved for sure
I think everyone on the TFF should make an attempt if they can to go and they do it again
the folks were really great , the food was wonderful ,and the fish were on fire, the hosts were beyond hospitable at every turn .....
WOW ....to nice
life just don't git much better than that brother

Congrats on a great prize!

Congrats !! Your gonna love
That hummingbird brother !!

congrats on your prize.

Congrats on the finder. Maybe he was trying to quietly give you the message to "shut up and fish".

Mark,
Congrats on the graph... This should give you the opportunity to be the best of the best POTLICKERS!!!

Enjoy!!!!!

Congrats sir, sounds like you had a awesome day.

Congratulations Ketchin!!!! Sorry I did not get to meet you at the fish fry. Trust you will learn to use this new technology to catch more crappie.