I said I would close it around 7:30 pm tonight. I think I need to stick to my word.

good for joe, its a darn good step in the right direction. any word from the other kid? that actually got caught?

I don't think Sprague broke any laws that are punishable by jail time.

I heard (this is just rumor, so not sure if it's true) that one of the boys is reaching out to make amends. And that he has offered to do community service and whatever it takes to make things right. Personally, I would have them do one year as gophers for the working man's tournament Donnie hosts. I might also have them do service time at their local Salvation Army store once a week for 100-200 hours.

Make 'em clean up trash around the ramp and parking lot, cook hotdogs for the anglers, and whatever else is asked of them within reason.

I wanted to provide the following update because I feel like this is worthy of giving attention to. I received a phone call from Joe Zimmerman. He went to his coach and together they called me. He was apologetic about what happened and wanted to make sure he personally gave his apology to me. After our phone call, he followed up with an email giving a formal written apology to me, the organization, and the fishing community. He offered to do some community service or make some type of public apology to the anglers and others who were affected by his actions. He asked that I not disclose his letter and I promise to honor that; however, I want it known that he did send a written formal apology. This letter doesn’t excuse his actions, but it definitely shows character for someone his age to own his actions and take responsibility.

I absolutely feel like his apology was sincere and I admire his courage to take responsibility for his actions. I commended him for calling me and making an amends. I think it shows good character despite a bad decision he made. I also think it’s important to state that Joe Zimmerman admitted to helping place fish in the basket the day before the tournament, but he didn’t fish the tournament with Josh Phillips when Josh was caught cheating.

With that, I didn’t request anything of Joe Zimmerman, but I am publicly inviting him to come to any TTO event and help so he can gain an appreciation for how tournaments are run and what happens behind the scenes.

Also, I want to address the comments and social media that has blown up over this. I can’t tell anyone what to say or how to react, but I am asking that if anyone has any comments to please keep it about the situation and not as a personal attack against these boys. Whatever your opinion, there’s no need to personally attack these kids. In my original post on the fishing forum, I just wanted to get the facts out because I didn’t want rumors to start flying and getting out of hand and I had so many phone calls with questions and I was constantly having to correct misinformation.

Kudos to Joe. I think he has a good group of people who care about him. This type of lesson stings, and I think that he will think about what he does in the future. My Dad always said ones character is pretty much set as a young boy, but his most common phrase was "Your know by the company you keep". I fished tourneys for 8 years in the 90's, and when I started to really get a bad taste in my mouth with all the drama, and BS associated with it I dropped it all together.

Until recently I was fishing 4 days a week purely out of passion, and learning from a mentor I met who really is a "Fish Whisperer". Sum-Buck can fish, and is really good people. We all strive to do what's right, and I am sure Joe's biggest peoblem is letting his "old man" down. That was what stuck in my head early on, what would Dad say. But I was foolish little fart as a teenager, and worked hard but I never got caught when me and my buddies were up to no good.

But our "up to no good" was having a beer, or hitting road signs with kinetic objects. Best lesson I ever was taught by my Dad was "People do what you inspect, not what you expect.". There still needs to be checks and balances. I like the idea of a random polygraph in the big tourneys. But I have been around the working mans tournament ring for many years, and to try and pull something on these guys is downright silly.

Some of the guys in my neck of the woods could go bear hunting with a switch. They are not the people to cross. When it's all said and done, I think when everyone has had time to chew it over and put yourself in the boys shoes. Learning from one's mistakes are 10 fold better than, continuing down that road. This isn't no bump in the road, my passion for fishing is pretty high. My mentor keeps telling me, you sure are "mad at 'em".

In the last few years my family has been affected by a theft, and small things like someone grabbing something I left out. Sure stings in the back of my mind, but if someone stole $ from me and I caught them, they go on the top of a permanent $hit list that typically doesn't get changed. I really encourage Joe to look the men in the eye and say your sorry. You make things right with them, and they accept your apology you have achieved something that many people would give anything for. Josh, time to man up. The longer you wait the worse it's going to be for you. Disrespectful comments to anyone your elder is not going to fly, and becoming a man is about something that only you can do.

If you need someone to help you all you have to do is ask. There is no was fighting this will come out positive for you.

Say a prayer for help, and move forward. Every choice you make in life is about "Working for the brand". You represent your family, your school, and you build your own character that others know you by. Your either "good people" , or your not.


You might be suprised at how many people who had strong words on this thread, will actually help you if you ask.


Prosise

What happened to the BassChamps alleged cheaters last year?

dammit once again I agree w a butch point

too stupid to buy gun, vote, drive, and just generally make good decisions

I may be wrong. I thought some guys knowingly culled dead fish. It was on video or something.