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Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
#15295533
01/08/25 11:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 168
RoughHuff
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 168 |
Go…
Last edited by RoughHuff; 01/08/25 11:49 PM.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295548
01/08/25 11:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714 |
You can tell when cabin fever starts to set in by what is posted here.
There are so many good ones at Fork. I am sure you will get an interesting response from this crew
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295552
01/09/25 12:02 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 168
RoughHuff
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 168 |
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295555
01/09/25 12:03 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 26,887
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 26,887 |
I couldn’t name one…..much less 5! Five of all time?
Let’s talk about wacky rigs or something else….again.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295559
01/09/25 12:06 AM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130
Overworked2020
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 130 |
I heard it might snow tomorrow
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Overworked2020]
#15295560
01/09/25 12:08 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 26,887
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 26,887 |
I heard it might snow tomorrow  The only guides from Lake Fork that I’ve ever heard of are the ones selling their boats in the boats for sale section every year. Don’t know if they catch fish, but they use some nice boats.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295568
01/09/25 12:17 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,017
Minner Bucket
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,017 |
Aren’t most of them “travelers” now?
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295584
01/09/25 12:37 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 67
jh76
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 67 |
That's easy...
YOUR Lake Fork guide!
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295616
01/09/25 01:07 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 13,760
Cameron
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 13,760 |
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295673
01/09/25 02:14 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,690
LakeForkLodge
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,690 |
I'm only going to comment on the "old" ones because I haven't arranged guide trips here at the lodge for about 10 years or so. However, from the early 1990's through about 2010, I set up a lot of trips. I would talk to the customers and the guide at some point after the trip and a lot of times their "recounts'' of the trip wouldn't align. There were some guides who's stories never aligned with the customer's. So I learned very quickly who was a fisherman and who was a salesman. I'll also say that all the guides I used fished predominantly on the west (Fork creek) arm of the lake.
These are my top 5 fish catching guides, not necessarily in order.
Richard McCarty Dennis Canada Mark Stevenson Tony Clark Brooks Rogers Dennis States
Ok that's six.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295717
01/09/25 02:52 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167
Sinkey
Tidy Scoop
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Tidy Scoop
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167 |
Mark Pack Brian Duplechain Larry Barnes Mark Stevenson
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295730
01/09/25 03:01 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7,982
Caymas Cx 21
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7,982 |
With or without prior convictions?
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295735
01/09/25 03:03 AM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 6,599
Rescue Fire
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 6,599 |
Is that guy that created mayhem in the 19th hole still guiding?
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295738
01/09/25 03:05 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,942
Tiltman
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,942 |
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295759
01/09/25 03:22 AM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 44,702
WAWI
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 44,702 |
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: WAWI]
#15295771
01/09/25 03:40 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 26,887
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 26,887 |
Either there, or JB Thomas.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295790
01/09/25 03:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 74,647
Mark Perry
Super Freak
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Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 74,647 |
Mark Pack Will always get my first vote. Still miss that guy every day.
Lots of good ones out there. Simple ways to choose a Fork guide.
1. They have a 903 area code and live in the area. 2. Go to their website, see if clients are holding more fish in pictures than they are. 3. Do a search on here and you will see the guys routinely recommended here over the years. There is a good reason for that. Pay attention to the ones that get a lot of repeat business. 4. Pay attention to the ones that stay out of drama on social media.
The above criteria is not fool proof but it's a good starting point.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295803
01/09/25 04:22 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 168
RoughHuff
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 168 |
Thanks, Mark. More of a conversation piece than a recommendation. Interested if any of the relatively “newer” guides the last 10-15 years were as good as some old school guides. Did the golden years on fork play a role in how we view their success? Ton of respect for the old school guides. I’ve been in the boat with three who were really good, mix of older and “newer” - Canada, Everett, and Livesay. Appreciate the responses.
Last edited by RoughHuff; 01/09/25 04:23 AM.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: jh76]
#15295806
01/09/25 04:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 39,091
Frank the Tank
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 39,091 |
Jesus loves all of us
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295812
01/09/25 04:36 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,589
Douglas J
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,589 |
Therman Selman
The live bait guy with a 20 seater tin boat
![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2024/11/full-72311-248284-f6b1190b_bbab_49d4_a1b2_6e9a1ce426f7.jpeg) #MFGA
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295834
01/09/25 05:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 74,647
Mark Perry
Super Freak
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Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 74,647 |
Thanks, Mark. More of a conversation piece than a recommendation. Interested if any of the relatively “newer” guides the last 10-15 years were as good as some old school guides. Did the golden years on fork play a role in how we view their success? Ton of respect for the old school guides. I’ve been in the boat with three who were really good, mix of older and “newer” - Canada, Everett, and Livesay. Appreciate the responses. Good questions. I don't go out there much these days so I don't know many of the newer guides.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295851
01/09/25 06:31 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 596
Top Waters
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 596 |
Any list without John Tanner's name on it is incomplete. I fished with him many times and he is now a "fisher of men", surrendering his life for a higher calling.
GO -------> "Spit in his mouth, Son. It will make him grow bigger faster" My late grandfather Bill Chapman (and former lake patrolman at Lake Tyler, TX) I have spent the past 50 years spitting in their mouths...increasing the size of Texas fish with every spit! P.B. 9.4 lbs - Lake Fork 2018 Skeeter ZX250 Yamaha 250 SHO
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15295917
01/09/25 01:07 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,412
JackMason
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,412 |
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Sinkey]
#15295933
01/09/25 01:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714 |
Mark Pack Brian Duplechain Larry Barnes Mark Stevenson That's 4 bro. You left out Ronnie Byrd
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Ken A.]
#15295956
01/09/25 01:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,675
TBassYates
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,675 |
Mark Pack Brian Duplechain Larry Barnes Mark Stevenson That's 4 bro. You left out Ronnie Byrd You got that right Ken. Ronnie Byrd was the best Jig fisherman I ever fished with and the most fun to be with. Top Waters - Been a friend of John since our early days in the Century Bass Club and witnessed his transformation from a club member to a Fork guide to fishing FLW and Everstart tournaments to his current life which overshadows everything before that.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Ken A.]
#15296040
01/09/25 03:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167
Sinkey
Tidy Scoop
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Tidy Scoop
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167 |
Mark Pack Brian Duplechain Larry Barnes Mark Stevenson That's 4 bro. You left out Ronnie Byrd The 5th could be a bunch of guys. That’s my top 4 for sure.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Mark Perry]
#15296060
01/09/25 03:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 845
Hole Shot
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 845 |
Mark Pack Will always get my first vote. Still miss that guy every day.
Lots of good ones out there. Simple ways to choose a Fork guide.
1. They have a 903 area code and live in the area. 2. Go to their website, see if clients are holding more fish in pictures than they are. 3. Do a search on here and you will see the guys routinely recommended here over the years. There is a good reason for that. Pay attention to the ones that get a lot of repeat business. 4. Pay attention to the ones that stay out of drama on social media.
The above criteria is not fool proof but it's a good starting point.
Mark Pack. Great guide, friend, business partner but most of all an outstanding individual. He passed away 4 years ago today. Hard to believe.
Last edited by Hole Shot; 01/09/25 03:46 PM.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296089
01/09/25 04:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167
Sinkey
Tidy Scoop
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Tidy Scoop
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167 |
![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2025/01/full-19152-255182-img_1852.jpeg) ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2025/01/full-19152-255185-img_2768.jpeg) I have 2 pictures framed in our house at Fork. Both of these guys influenced and taught me more about fishing out there over the years til they passed. Both of them would give you the shirt off their back. Miss them daily.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296121
01/09/25 04:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,389
ogles824 (aka Lakewaydr50)
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,389 |
Just the ones I've heard of and know stories behind some of their guide trips, Tony Clark, Larry Barnes, Lance Vick, and Mark Pack.
2012 ZX200 Skeeter 2012 Yamaha 200 SHO Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Proud student of the Pro Staffer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzwF72B2F2w&t=14s
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296125
01/09/25 04:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,313
fouzman
Methuselah
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Methuselah
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,313 |
Literally impossible question to answer unless you’ve fished with 75-100 of them. There are and have been so many world-class bass guides at Fork from 1984 until today.
In the order I fished with them over that period; Ronnie Byrd Mark Pack Kelly Jordon Lance Vick Lee Livesay
p.s. - not saying these men above are/were the best 5.
Last edited by fouzman; 01/09/25 10:07 PM.
Coincidence is His way of remaining anonymous.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Top Waters]
#15296149
01/09/25 04:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 151
Bradsr82
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 151 |
Any list without John Tanner's name on it is incomplete. I fished with him many times and he is now a "fisher of men", surrendering his life for a higher calling. You are correct. John Tanner was the man, and top of being a great guide, he is an even better human. Miss fishing with him. I will always remember the first bass I hooked with him, My Dad always taught me to set the hook, and I mean set it. So, my whole life I have always swung on em when I get bit. We were dead sticking flukes in the shallows and I set the hook, he just looked at me and smiled and said "I like you, I don't have to tell you to set the hook" LOL
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296172
01/09/25 04:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 397
soonerjake
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 397 |
Jimmy Everett? Now there is a name from the distant past. Fished with him twice. Wasn’t impressed.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Sinkey]
#15296270
01/09/25 06:11 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,652
HARD WORKN HAROLD
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,652 |
DON'T LET THE CLOTHES FOOL YA Life is too short to fish with a dead cricket! PB: wife of 40 years
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296364
01/09/25 07:31 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 156
yandeltx
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 156 |
Another vote for Richard McCarty, best jig fisherman I know.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296549
01/09/25 10:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,313
fouzman
Methuselah
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Methuselah
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,313 |
file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/ca/10/D1C117A8-75DB-4D69-BE05-3EA09EC647B6/IMG_8645.jpeg
Anyone know how to fix that? ^^^
Last edited by fouzman; 01/09/25 10:03 PM.
Coincidence is His way of remaining anonymous.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296553
01/09/25 10:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,530
Dognot
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,530 |
I'm not qualified to say but here is 3 good ones. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2025/01/full-46389-255267-470165531_9599833423364977_2907380516442723701_n.jpg_ken_a.jpg) Ken Addington, Mark Stevenson, and Larry Barnes.
As God as my witness, I thought Turkeys could fly!............. Arthur Carlson........WKRP
Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love will make it wag it's tail............Pistol Pete Maravich
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Dognot]
#15296563
01/09/25 10:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,652
Bass-N-Buck Master
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,652 |
I'm not qualified to say but here is 3 good ones. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2025/01/full-46389-255267-470165531_9599833423364977_2907380516442723701_n.jpg_ken_a.jpg) Ken Addington, Mark Stevenson, and Larry Barnes. Definitely legends
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296573
01/09/25 10:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 16,468
ko bass attack 27
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 16,468 |
I have fished with many. My top 5 1. Mark Pack 2.Johnny Guice 3. Pake South 4.Ritchie White 5. Tony Clarke Hon. Mention: Jason Margraves, Eddie Garrett, Cody Malone
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296633
01/09/25 10:41 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,691
Slide_R
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,691 |
Some guy named Addington...except he left the guiding business to sell funny water additives, maybe it was tea leaves or something. 
Robert Oleson aka Slide_R
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15296679
01/09/25 11:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,392
Dubee
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,392 |
Mark Pack, Mark Stevenson, Gene Snider, Ken A.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Dognot]
#15296749
01/10/25 12:26 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167
Sinkey
Tidy Scoop
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Tidy Scoop
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167 |
I'm not qualified to say but here is 3 good ones. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2025/01/full-46389-255267-470165531_9599833423364977_2907380516442723701_n.jpg_ken_a.jpg) Ken Addington, Mark Stevenson, and Larry Barnes. Damn Ken. Mark and Larry are better than El Fenix! 
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Sinkey]
#15296766
01/10/25 12:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 74,647
Mark Perry
Super Freak
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Super Freak
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 74,647 |
I'm not qualified to say but here is 3 good ones. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2025/01/full-46389-255267-470165531_9599833423364977_2907380516442723701_n.jpg_ken_a.jpg) Ken Addington, Mark Stevenson, and Larry Barnes. Damn Ken. Mark and Larry are better than El Fenix!  
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Mark Perry]
#15296834
01/10/25 02:13 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 23
1Eagles
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 23 |
Marc Mitchell should be on the list !
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Sinkey]
#15299067
01/11/25 06:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,504
forkduc
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16,504 |
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15299096
01/11/25 06:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 315
GMTK
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 315 |
Cody Malone Jack York - yes he's young and new, but the dude can fish.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: soonerjake]
#15299223
01/11/25 08:52 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,412
JackMason
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,412 |
Jimmy Everett? Now there is a name from the distant past. Fished with him twice. Wasn’t impressed. Had one of best trips ever with that guy. He was dialed in on that trip. Really don't know how he'd rank, but I've fished with a lot of the guys listed above and I can say my trip with Jimmy was tops.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15299862
01/12/25 02:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,486
Champion1
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,486 |
Redington has to be on this list somewhere?
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15299912
01/12/25 03:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,001
Transplant
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,001 |
Bill Kells who owned Rainswood Marina 25 plus years ago. The absolute cleanest restaurant on the lake with the Best open face chilli cheeseburger. He was a gruff old fart but took a liking to me and my fishin buddy Ringfry. Caught my PB a 10.88 out of his boat. I remember two tips he gave us. 1. When you think you’re fishing slow enough…….SLOW down. 2. If he had to pick one lure to throw year round it would be a jig, won’t catch as many but his average will be bigger. And his wife Becky was a sweetheart too, especially for putting up with him.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Transplant]
#15299945
01/12/25 03:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 3,713
nfhbass
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 3,713 |
Bill Kells who owned Rainswood Marina 25 plus years ago. The absolute cleanest restaurant on the lake with the Best open face chilli cheeseburger. He was a gruff old fart but took a liking to me and my fishin buddy Ringfry. Caught my PB a 10.88 out of his boat. I remember two tips he gave us. 1. When you think you’re fishing slow enough…….SLOW down. 2. If he had to pick one lure to throw year round it would be a jig, won’t catch as many but his average will be bigger. And his wife Becky was a sweetheart too, especially for putting up with him. Smart man, can't be emphasized enough. Slow down, fish a jig.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15299952
01/12/25 03:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 6,599
Rescue Fire
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 6,599 |
LOL, I would've been afraid to be on a boat with Bill. He'd get mad and push you into the water. He was grumpy but he sure could make a great burger.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Transplant]
#15299967
01/12/25 03:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167
Sinkey
Tidy Scoop
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Tidy Scoop
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,167 |
Bill Kells who owned Rainswood Marina 25 plus years ago. The absolute cleanest restaurant on the lake with the Best open face chilli cheeseburger. He was a gruff old fart but took a liking to me and my fishin buddy Ringfry. Caught my PB a 10.88 out of his boat. I remember two tips he gave us. 1. When you think you’re fishing slow enough…….SLOW down. 2. If he had to pick one lure to throw year round it would be a jig, won’t catch as many but his average will be bigger. And his wife Becky was a sweetheart too, especially for putting up with him. I never knew what mood Bill was going to be in when I walked in Rainswood. But he was always nice to me as well. Never fished with him but hands down had the best food this lake has ever had. Miss his place.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Sinkey]
#15300083
01/12/25 05:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714 |
I'm not qualified to say but here is 3 good ones. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2025/01/full-46389-255267-470165531_9599833423364977_2907380516442723701_n.jpg_ken_a.jpg) Ken Addington, Mark Stevenson, and Larry Barnes. Damn Ken. Mark and Larry are better than El Fenix!  Bro, when in Rome eat like Romans!
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Sinkey]
#15300086
01/12/25 05:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714 |
Bill Kells who owned Rainswood Marina 25 plus years ago. The absolute cleanest restaurant on the lake with the Best open face chilli cheeseburger. He was a gruff old fart but took a liking to me and my fishin buddy Ringfry. Caught my PB a 10.88 out of his boat. I remember two tips he gave us. 1. When you think you’re fishing slow enough…….SLOW down. 2. If he had to pick one lure to throw year round it would be a jig, won’t catch as many but his average will be bigger. And his wife Becky was a sweetheart too, especially for putting up with him. I never knew what mood Bill was going to be in when I walked in Rainswood. But he was always nice to me as well. Never fished with him but hands down had the best food this lake has ever had. Miss his place. I fished with Bill many times at Fork and Monty. He was as good as gold if he liked you. I recall walking thru the doors at Rainswood a thousand times and he would be behind the cash register reading a Louis Lamour novel. The door chime would ding and he'd look up at me and say, "What the hell do you want??" 
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Ken A.]
#15300090
01/12/25 05:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,001
Transplant
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,001 |
That was Bill. We’d stay there and we’d be standing at front door for breakfast at 5:55am or whenever and like clockwork at 6:00am, never a minute before or after the lights came on and he’d unlock the door!
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: ko bass attack 27]
#15300239
01/12/25 08:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,342
skeeterokc
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,342 |
I have fished with many. My top 5 1. Mark Pack 2.Johnny Guice 3. Pake South 4.Ritchie White 5. Tony Clarke Hon. Mention: Jason Margraves, Eddie Garrett, Cody Malone
I have had a few guides on Fork, including 1 on your list. He was absolutely the worse of all time.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: skeeterokc]
#15300316
01/12/25 09:58 PM
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Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 183
BobCobb
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 183 |
Love Fork. My old man guide showed me how to dead stick on the bottom in the middle of August. Big big bass
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15300341
01/12/25 10:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,486
Champion1
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,486 |
David Vance has been there a long time!
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Transplant]
#15300576
01/13/25 02:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 16,468
ko bass attack 27
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 16,468 |
That was Bill. We’d stay there and we’d be standing at front door for breakfast at 5:55am or whenever and like clockwork at 6:00am, never a minute before or after the lights came on and he’d unlock the door! If you wanted to get under Bills skin ask for biscuits when you ordered breakfast, he would let you know that was only on weekends. When we went we would always take our schnauzer with us. He would tell us we could just leave the dog with him, he would sit in his chair and hold that schnauzer all day. Bill was a good man.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15301394
01/13/25 10:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,798
Allen Bass Fisher
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,798 |
One time when our club finished a weigh-in at the ramp near Rainswood, Bill closed and locked his restaurant as about 10 of us were walking up to get a late lunch. He just said "We're Closed". It was about 4:00. Guess he did not want to mess with our group.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Allen Bass Fisher]
#15301412
01/13/25 11:23 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 17,526
Chris B
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 17,526 |
One time when our club finished a weigh-in at the ramp near Rainswood, Bill closed and locked his restaurant as about 10 of us were walking up to get a late lunch. He just said "We're Closed". It was about 4:00. Guess he did not want to mess with our group. He threw me out of his restaurant after I had fell in the lake on a really cold February day because I took my wet shoes off. I wished bad things on him that day.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15301425
01/13/25 11:57 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 429
DAVOBASS
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 429 |
Lance Vick Gary Paris Mark Pack Richie White Richard McCarty
In no particular order
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15301922
01/14/25 02:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 656
LunkerXpress
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 656 |
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Ken A.]
#15301979
01/14/25 02:50 PM
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,173
slim1
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,173 |
Mark Pack Brian Duplechain Larry Barnes Mark Stevenson That's 4 bro. You left out Ronnie Byrd I'd like to add Skeeter Fowler to your list
PATRIOT GUARD RIDER Riding With Respect Flag Captain
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: RoughHuff]
#15301990
01/14/25 02:58 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 95
WmF
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 95 |
Anyone fished with Roy Greer?
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: WmF]
#15302064
01/14/25 03:57 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,342
skeeterokc
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,342 |
Anyone fished with Roy Greer? I have and was he was very informative on certain presentations, water to fish and how to read your fish finder.
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: GMTK]
#15302875
01/15/25 02:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,714 |
Cody Malone Jack York - yes he's young and new, but the dude can fish. Jack is def one of the new up & coming guides. I fished with him a short time ago and he is Legit!
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Re: Top 5 Fork Bass Guides of All Time?
[Re: Champion1]
#15305505
01/18/25 10:40 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 27,508
patriot07
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 27,508 |
Redington has to be on this list somewhere? This is shocking to me that he hasn't come up yet. My dad had fished Fork and Toledo Bend back in the 80s and early 90s. He always says his favorite days on the water were when we went out with Tom. We caught tons of fish, had a great time, and I'd give anything for one more of them.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. - Soren Kierkegaard
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