Tracking Hartwell With Asher

Asher endured some tough conditions yesterday, but had a big time tracking his first live tournament day with me. When we left home at 5:00 a.m., the truck thermometer said 36. The when we arrived at Clemson Marina, an hour later, it hadn't changed, and a swift breeze was blowing across the cold water pulling the wind chill down. Asher, 9, didn't complain. He was thankful for the opportunity to watch the FLW Tour pros launch and take-off for day 1 action on Lake Hartwell.

Asher also got to hear Casey Ashley sing the National Anthem (always a treat), and then later in the day watched Ashley bring 21 pounds 7 ounces to the scales to take the lead. Between the take-off and the weigh-in, we spent our morning running from one lake access to another, looking for pros out on the water. We spotted a handful (some nearer than others) and even got to watch Kellogg's Frosted Flakes pro Dave Lefebre swing one into the boat. Lefebre caught a good bag and sits in 19th, and it was extra fun for Asher to see Lefebre weigh his fish, and to look at his boat by the water and meet him a little later. Of course, Asher liked the big Tony the Tiger on Lefebre's boat and jersey.

If the take-off was cold, the weigh-in was colder. The actual temperature was about the same and the wind had subsided, but the rain had arrived and a cold rain fell steadily the whole time we were there. Asher had on plenty of layers, but the rain soaked through eventually, and I know he was pretty chilly by the time we got in the truck. Still, he held on until I suggested heading out, and I know he's glad that he did.

We'll have to track things from home this morning because of fish stories that need writing and other plans, but I know Asher's interest in and knowledge about pro bass fishing rose a big notch yesterday, and I'm glad we got to share a day of tracking the action.