Originally posted by ewest:
I have been fortunate that of the 30 or so professional fisheries scientists and hatchery owners who have helped with the ponds none have ever hyped a trophy LMB pond. They explained the options and provided sources of info. One did suggest that a particular pond be used as a trophy BG pond. None tried to talk me into any course of action.
Eric, in this part of the country there has been LMB �hype", as long as I can remember.
As a youngster growing up in East Texas, I recall tagging along with the men folk to set trot lines for catfish � it was my job to help seine the bar ditches for crawdads.
We would run the trot lines all night and the women and children would join us the next day. The rivers we fished were the Attoyac, Angelina and Neches, that make up Sam Rayburn Reservoir as we know it today.
There were �oxbow� lakes that you are very familiar with and the more affluent fished for bass and white perch (crappie).
After returning from WWII, I splurged and bought a steel shaft True Temper rod and a Pfleuger Supreme reel, and fished for LMB in sawmill ponds.
Large resesrvoirs began to be built across the country.
Ray Scott formed BASS organization and bass clubs and tournaments were formed and LMB �hype� literally exploded.
Every pond owner wanted to grow a state record like the first Florida strain LMB caught by Mark Stevenson from lake Fork � I don�t recall her name but she was on exhibit at Bass Pro Shops for may years. (Ethyl?)
There has been LMB �hype� and lots of money has been made. I believe it to be the �fish buyers� that are responsible for the �hype� � �not the fish sellers�.
I yearn for the simpler days, and appreciate this thread very much.
It is very appropriate.
George Glazener
N.E. Texas
