BLOG

Forrest Wood Cup Over, Solider Appreciation Up Next

Tuesday, August, 12 2011
I just wrapped up Day 2 of the Forrest Wood Cup and it didn’t turn out quite as I hoped. I executed my plan pretty well, but Mother Nature changed everything up. If the weather would have remained hot and high blue skies then ten pounds a day would have been pretty good. I was able to do just that with a little over 10 and 12-pounds even for the two days.

If you would have told me I’d have 22-pounds after the first two days, I would have definitely thought that would have been enough to fish on the third day. The weather really helped out the shallow water anglers and they caught them well. Even though I was able to upgrade by two pounds today and most of their weights came down I ended up a little over apound out of the cut.

I fished the southern part of Lake Ouachita and fished my strengths, deep structure. It didn’t pan out, but I liked my game plan. Had the weather not gotten a little nasty on day one who knows what would have happened, but I think I would have been in good position.

So tomorrow I am headed out to fish the soldier appreciation event. It’s a really cool deal where ten of us take out two soldiers each and have a tournament. It’s just a little way we can give back to the soldiers who do so much for our country. I think they have a great time out on the water with us, and I know it means a lot to me to be able to get to know them and take them fishing. Sure I’d rather be fishing on Ouachita tomorrow than Lake Hamilton with the soldiers, but if I can’t be out there, I’d definitely not miss the chance to be a part of the soldier appreciation day.

On Sunday I will be working the National Guard booth the Forrest Wood Cup Convention. Signing autographs, taking pictures and getting a chance to talk fishing with the great folks of Arkansas is another neat deal.

So 2011 wasn’t the year for my first cup win, but I’ll get home get some rest and then get back to work so that in 2012 I can give it another run.

I’ll report back with results and photos from the soldier event tomorrow evening.

B-Hite

Forrest Wood Cup 2011 Blog - Post Practice

Tuesday, August, 9 2011
With just under 36 hours until the Forrest Wood Cup kicks off I am feeling pretty good about it. I like Lake Ouachita, it fishes a lot like the deep summertime reservoirs I grew up fishing out west. It really fits to my strengths.

In two previous trips to Ouachita I was able to finish in the top 20 both times. At the Cup in 2007 and last May (2010). I finished 15th and 13th in those events respectively. I’d love to make a top ten and have a chance at winning the cup with a solid bag on the final day.

It looks like a consistent ten pounds a day would be pretty solid and have a fair chance at making the cut. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone came in with 13 to 15-pounds for a day, this lake is full of fish and there are plenty of good ones. Four 2-pounders and a kicker is definitely a possibility. It's all about timing right now. Not time of day, just being at the right spot at the right time. They actually seem to be biting all day.

Tomorrow is an off-limits day, but I will keep pretty much the same schedule. I’ll get up early and get my tackle ready before the temperature hits 100. From there I’m heading into town to get a new addition to the boat wrap. The National Guard is adding some new camouflage to the wrap. Then I might get some rest before heading over to the check in at 2:00 and then to the suit and tie dinner.

I’ll be blogging all week and may even pop in for a video blog. Stay tuned, I can’t give up the goods yet, but I’ll let you know first (as soon as the event is over) and you can all head over to The Hook Up Tackle and load up!

B-Hite