Here's my two cents on this. Take it for what it is, another opinion.

I think most of us are going to have to take our turn in the barrel with this virus before this is over. It's not going anywhere anytime soon. We can't keep the economy closed forever and when it reopens cases will climb again. The latest and best numbers now estimate the mortality rate to be somewhere around .3% -.7%. 3 to 7 times that of normal flu, but far lower than they initially feared. The older you are and the less healthy you are, your odds get much worse. The longer you can hold off on getting the virus, I think your odds improve because they'll have more information and better therapies.

That said, at some point you are probably going to get this virus. Everyone you know is probably going to get this virus. Most people will be okay. Some won't be. Think about who's close to you that is at high risk. Think about how it may turn out for them. Think about how you'd feel if you spread it to them. Think about how you'd feel toward whoever spread it to them.

Each man needs to know his own risk profile and determine what is best for him and his family. Nothing in this world is risk free. If you are making informed decisions with both yourself and others in mind, I fault no man for what he chooses to do in these unprecedented times. Certainly being outdoors and enjoying creation is not without its own benefits to body and mind.

Stay safe all.

Well at least we know now which trail the OP fishes. Wasn’t too long ago he was telling us about how he culls out dead fish in tournaments.

Right!!! But I cleared it with the tournament director first remember!? They had their rules worded different. Everyone now has fixed that. But Media was not the trail it was in. Sorry. You can show up and fish now and not have to worry about loosing by .5lb now!

Gordon will probably not let you fish if he finds out you’ve publicaly admitted to being a cheat.

A media poly asked my partner once if he had ever broken a fish and game law.

I can assure you I have. I've got several citations from various county game wardens to prove it.

Shot a shoveler on opening morning if teal season and dugan got me at fork
Next year I had lead in my possession same day same green pants on fork.
Took the wings off ducks when I cleaned them in Knox county. Got a ticket for that.

Probably missing a few. As my hunting buddy and dugan were not friends. He followed us around.

The Governor has clarified and made sure your rights as an outdoorsman are protected. You are allowed to hunt and fish in the State of Texas, he has deemed it essential just as he has your right to worship. Many States have banned hunting and fishing as a whole, Michigan being one of them. There is a video circulating from Johnny Morris and Mark Zona addressing the very unfair mandates that Governor is pushing. All the gun stores are allowed to stay open so you can purchase firearms and ammunition, not all States are allowing that.

Fishing tournaments is not a right and if that is one small thing we can give up for a month..........Folks it hasn't even been a month yet.......

Please read my other comments to understand where I am coming from, or else you appear as just another headline reader who doesn't bother to actually read the story.

Go fishing and enjoy the outdoors, just not tournaments right now. Go to the pond if you can't get your boat on the lake, that's what I've been doing.

Just my .02 we are coming across like the entitled society that we have become. The economy? How shallow is our economy if we can't go less than a month without worry about the damage to the stock market? Buy local, support local. Tell the bank you will make the car payment next month, they will defer it, same with the house and any other utility. Let's all relax and be thankful for what we do have.

Be a good comrade, pay your taxes and let the government tell you when freedom is acceptable. Freedom is only allowed at certain times and it is up to the government to tell us when.

If I can go to grocery store or any other “essential” outlet and stay 6’ away from someone I’m not really sure why I can’t do the same in a weigh-in line.

Quit shooting boot lips and you wont get tickets!

That’s an awesome point heavy sack! Then we are back to why does Media, an nonessential business get to operate and make money? Is it just ok for then because it’s fishing, and we are fisherman?? If he can operate and we stay 6ft apart then my barber should be allowed to reopen and have 3 people at a time in his shop. Because I know he is struggling to pay his bills right now. And you could either choose to wait outside or in your car or come back another time. But he’s completely shut down. Or nail salons. Why not just limit the amount of people that are in them and sit people every other station 6 feet apart and they can still operate for business? Or allow restaurants to seat 5 or 10 tables depending on size? If you allow the tournaments allow it all.

"If you guys will just let government violate some of your constitutional rights you might be able to avoid having them strip away all the rest!"

I can't wait for the court challenges. A few have already started.

As the head of a tournament organization, I would not want to face the backlash or liability if someone, or several folks, contracted the virus from coming in contact with someone who didn't even know they were carrying the virus because of continuing with tournaments. When all of this started really coming out in March, we (THSBA) cancelled our last 6 events because schools were not letting their teams compete. Looking back, it was for the best knowing what we know now, especially since we preach safety above all else with the students and boat captains. Does it suck? Absolutely. However, we are just like everyone else in the tournament game and will hopefully continue when the restrictions are lifted.

If anglers to keep and clean their catch for personal consumption then it's for table fare

Do your research, 60-80% of the population will end up having some form of this virus.

But, in the position of a TD you have to look more at the litigious nature of people in our society today. That is a tough call to make for sure!