Though "Muscle Shoals has The Swampers" I sit at my desk, listening to a rock band called I Mother Earth, (Album: Dig) getting fired up. It's amazing how something as simple as a riff in a song can change how one feels… I'm now inspired to write about a trip south to see friends in Pell City Alabama as my toes are tapping away and I'm probably driving my co-workers crazy. I'm anxiously waiting to get back out on the water to continue shooting WFN's Reel Road Trip. (I wonder if The Swampers fish???)

A year or so ago, we were very fortunate to have been introduced to a unique group of people from Alabama … we became fast friends and continue to work together to further promote the sport and the products Vicious Fishing puts forth for you and I.

Driving up the long driveway thru the bush just outside of Pell City Alabama, I have a feeling of homecoming. I love The Ponderosa, it's a place of fond memories, giant bass and lots of laughs. The Ponderosa is a lodge owned and managed by Vicious Fishing. Every year Vicious management hold the Vicious Fishing Retreat where media writers, and Vicious Pro Staff get together to do a little business, conduct interviews, eat, drink and be merry! This year didn't disappoint.

 

We were shooting a show in Alabama with The Ponderosa as our home base for stories. In one particular feature, I spent the day on the water with The Mouth of the South, Alabama native, Gerald Swindle, one of the more colorful characters on tour.

I am always amazed how down to earth professional anglers are. Of the pros I have done business with, every single one has been accommodating, friendly, open, honest and genuine…from KVD to Bill Dance, Gerald Swindle was no different. 

Behind the comedic façade, lies a man who has built his brand brilliantly. G-man spoke openly about his very humble beginnings and his earlier career literally slaving as a manual laborer to Elite touring pro status he enjoys today. His struggle really hit home when Marty Stone spoke of his longtime friend. Seemingly emotional about Gerald's physical pain, and the sacrifices the two of them have endured in their climb to success, (they were traveling partners for years) Marty showed the same openness and honesty as the others before. The stories anglers tell climbing up and sliding down the ladder of fishing success never ceases to amaze me… it makes for great television - great storytelling - great people… Gerald and I caught some fish and created a unique profile of an equally unique angler. Look for the story in the Alabama episode of RRT coming in October.

We all had some fun on the water as well… every year Vicious holds a pond management tournament - and bragging rights are on the line. In this tourney, the pros are partnered with a media person. The goal is to remove some of thousands of smaller bass from the pond, all in hopes the larger bass can continue to grow. All fish under 12 inches are kept in turn relieving feeding pressure on bass forage. This very casual management tournament, benefits the health of the fishery and a local charity who receive the fish as table fare. It's a pressure free tournament for the pros to talk smack, break every rule imaginable and throw all competition etiquette out the window…all in the name of FUN! I witness prop washing, high speed fly by's, mudding of water and live-well raids to name a few… Ultimately James Hall and Gerald Swindle won the small fry tourney and will no doubt return next year to defend this coveted title.

So I'm already planning on returning next year as well. The Vicious Writers Retreat is far too much fun to pass up…. For more on Vicious Fishing, their lineup of products and their Pro Staff, check them out at www.vicious-fishing.com Vicious Fishing is a young company which seems to get it. With a responsible price point most everyone can afford and a product that stands up to the competition I feel, in a very short period of time more and more anglers will be saying Lets Get Vicious.