29 years ago, I was a scrawny 10-year-old twerp in the 4th grade at Parkman Elementary School in Enfield, CT. My teacher was Mr. Brown. He was a good teacher who set me on the right path in the classroom and on the playing field. Mr. Brown always had the time and energy to toss the football to me on the playground at recess. I remember that Mr. Brown liked fishing a lot.
29 years go by...
I join the Outdoor Writers Association of America and send out an email to the other members introducing myself and Hooked-in. Back comes a reply from a guy named Bill Brown asking, "Did you by chance go to school in Enfield, CT? I had a Joe Pych in my 4th grade class at Parkman School way back when."
So, after so many years, I am getting reacquainted with Mr. Brown. Calling him Bill will take some getting used to.
As I mentioned earlier, Bill likes fishing... but this is an understatement. I am coming to understand he's not only a good fisherman, he's one of the best.
Check out his Billfish Sportfishing Fishing Report on Hooked-in and you will see what I mean. He's posted some of the biggest sharks, stripers, swordfish, and sailfish I have ever seen. Have a look at the Billfish Sportfishing Website, too.
How much does Bill like fishing? You can feel Bill's enthusiasm for fishing by reading his story about catching a swordfish near Islamorada, FL. You can see his enthusiasm for fishing in this photo where he douses himself to pose with the 180 pound tarpon he caught (and later learned he threatened his life for this photo as he and his tarpon were being stalked by a bull shark):
Even more amazing, Mr. Brown recently competed in the Quiznos Mad Fin Shark Tournament. He and his partner, Rob Fordyce, of Team Mercury were new to the event. Nevertheless, they gave the reigning champion a good scare after the first day of competition and eventually settled for a very respectable 4th place.
The Mad Fin Tournament is definitely not for amateurs. According to their website:
Quiznos Madfin Shark Series, the award-winning program on ESPN2, is the most dangerous catch and release, light tackle, shark fishing series on television. This is what happens when the ocean's most fearsome predators come face to face against the world's smartest.
In this competition, eight two-person teams hit the waters of the Florida Keys to catch and release a variety of sharks over the course of three days. Teams earn points depending on the type of shark caught and released. Bonus points are frequently awarded for proper hook removal.
It's survival of the fittest in this winner-take-all affair. Those teams with the lowest point total are eliminated after each day, while the highest scoring team on the tournament's final day becomes the Quiznos Madfin Shark Series Champions.
You can watch the Mad Fin Tournament on ESPN 2 starting April 6th. I am definitely going to be tuned in. For me, to see Mr. Brown. For all of you, it looks like a really exciting fishing show.
Mr. Brown, I am ready for my second education!